If you’re anything like me, you probably buy ramen noodles, put them in the pantry, and then forget about them for months (or years) despite the fact that they’re great for a quick meal or just to have in case of an emergency.
Ramen noodles have a best by date on the package. You should consume them before that date for the best flavor and texture, but they remain edible for up to a year after the best by date.
Expiration vs. Best By Date: What Do They Mean?
First, let’s clear something up. The dates on food, expiration, or best by are listed on labels to inform you when a product has reached the end of its shelf life rather than to indicate when it is unsafe to consume. If you’ve ever eaten an entire container of yogurt before realizing it was three weeks past its “expiration date,” but it still tasted great, that is a prime example of something remaining edible well after its expiration date that you might have wasted if you hadn’t checked.
An expiration date is intended to alert you to foods that could cause a foodborne illness. It serves as a warning, so to speak, that certain foods, such as dairy products, meats, and cheeses, have reached their peak of freshness and will soon begin to spoil. It’s not intended to be a set-in-stone date. Check out this information first before blindly stuffing a large spoonful of yogurt in your mouth.
When it comes to shelf-stable goods like cookies, crackers, chips, and instant Ramen noodles, the best by date is much more lenient. Things that over time tend to lose their freshness and go bad but don’t necessarily become sickeningly spoiled (Anyone else a big fan of stale Cheetos? Okay, just me.)
Keep Your Noodles Fresher for Longer
The noodles will keep their flavor for even longer if they are stored correctly to keep out air, moisture, and pests.
First and foremost, make sure the packet is properly sealed before purchasing Ramen noodles. Do not purchase if the packet is torn or improperly sealed.
Check each packet when you get home from the store to make sure none of them have already ruptured in your shopping bag. If any did develop tears, use these packets first.
For me, resealing the packets in a vacuum bag extends the shelf life by shielding the noodles from pests, moisture, and air. Prolonged exposure to air speeds up the oxidation process, which causes your noodles to lose flavor.
If you are unable to vacuum seal the packs, keep them in containers that are airtight and watertight. Do not remove them from their original packaging.
Sealing the tiny flavoring packet that came with the noodles will help keep the flavor from fading.
Noodles should be stored at room temperature in a dark, cool area (pantry) or cabinet far from other sources of food that have a strong odor because the noodles may absorb these flavors and the resulting flavor will be compromised. Vacuum packaging is also brilliant for this.
Rotate your stock so that you always consume the udon that is the oldest first.
What happens if you eat expired ramen noodles?
Nothing most likely. There is no harm in eating noodles after the expiration date if you have examined them and they appear to be in good condition and have been cooked properly. Although the flavor may not be as good, they are still edible.
Therefore, the next time you have a craving for Ramen noodles and all you have is an outdated package with a few weeks left before its best before date, don’t worry; you can still prepare and enjoy them. Just be mindful that they might not taste as fresh as when you first purchased them.
FAQ
How long are cup noodles good for after expiration date?
Cup noodles expire six months after their manufacturing date. Even when kept at ideal temperatures, the majority of instant cup noodles have preservatives that degrade over time. However, if there are no signs of spoilage and it has been a month since their expiration date, you can still cook the noodles.
Do instant cup noodles expire?
Instant noodles are made using food preservation technology to increase their shelf life because they are non-perishable. On bags of instant noodles, the best before dates will typically range from eight months to two years.
Is it okay to eat expired noodles?
Pasta won’t spoil easily because it’s a dry product. If it doesn’t smell funny (egg pasta can have a rancid odor), you can use it well after the expiration date. Dry pasta typically has a two-year shelf life, but you can usually extend that to three.
How long do maruchan noodles last?
They typically last in the fridge for two to three weeks. You should freeze them if you need to keep them for a longer period of time.
