You have tried a new recipe that needed Crisco. Now you have an entire can left and need to know if it will go bad.  There is always a reason to learn how to preserve ingredients such as Crisco.

Quick Answer

Yes, Crisco can go bad. Crisco can spoil. It may not make you sick, but it will definitely make your baked items taste bitter or unpleasant. An unopened can or stick of Crisco can last for 1-2 years. Once opened, a can of Crisco can last for 1 year. A stick of Crisco lasts for about 6 months once opened.

There are several ways to preserve Crisco, but the best way is to store it in the pantry.  The pantry will help it maintain its consistency and last for up to a year.

Does Crisco Go Bad? How Long Does Crisco last?

Yes, Crisco can go bad.   Crisco can have a best-by date that is a helpful gauge when you want the best quality.

How Long Does Crisco Last in Pantry

You want to store Crisco in a place where they are in a cool, dry area.  The best-by date plus 3 months is the best quality but can still be used for up to a year after opening.

Can:  An unopened can of Crisco can last for up to 2 years in the pantry.  Crisco can last for up to a year in the pantry when open.

Stick: An unopened stick of Crisco can last for 1-2 years in the pantry.  The stick of Crisco can last for 6 months when open.

Storing Crisco in the pantry is the best method because it is cool, dark, and away from any heat sources.

How Long Does Crisco Last in the Fridge

Storing Crisco in the refrigerator is a great way to keep it if you live in a warmer climate.  This will prevent it from spoiling sooner than expected.  It will also help preserve its texture better.

Can:  Storing a can of Crisco in the Fridge does not extend its shelf life.  The fat firms up in low temperatures, and you may need to sit it out before use.

Stick:  A stick of Crisco can be stored in the refrigerator.  It does not extend its shelf life; it is only necessary if your pantry is not cool.

How Long Does Crisco Last in the Freezer

If you want to try and extend the shelf-life of Crisco, store it in the freezer.  There are benefits to freezing Crisco, but it doesn’t come without downsides.

Pros:  You can separate the Crisco into usable portions for later use.  Freezing Crisco will allow you to free up storage space in the pantry and refrigerator.  It can also prevent bacterial exposure, which can cause sickness.

Cons:  Freezing Crisco doesn’t necessarily extend shelf-life.  It tends to cause the shortening not to preserve color or consistency.  You may be able to keep it longer, but it is not in the best conditions to be maintained.

The best way to store Crisco for immediate use is in the pantry.   Freezing even for short amounts of time can change the appearance and consistency.

How to Tell if Crisco is Bad? How to Tell if Crisco is Fresh?

It can be hard to tell if Crisco is no longer any good.  It would be best to look for mold, appearance, smell, and taste to ensure it is usable.

Mold:  Always check the package of Crisco for mold before use.  It is time to discard if they have any mold growth on them.  It could make you sick.

Appearance: Crisco will get a few shades darker than its normal color if it is no longer any good.

Smell:  Crisco can have a stale or sour smell. Give a quick sniff test before use.

Taste:  Finally, you can give a taste test by rubbing some on the finger and checking to make sure it is still good.

If none of these signs are present, you should be able to continue to use Crisco for baking.

How to Store Crisco?

The best way to store Crisco is in a cool, dark spot like a pantry.  You could keep it other ways, but there are pros and cons to these methods.

Counter/Pantry: Ensure the Crisco are stored in a cool, dark area away from any heat sources. If it has never been opened, it can last up to 2 years stored here.

Fridge:  A pro is that if you live in a warm climate, this is the best storage option other than the pantry.  The con is that it does not extend its storage life. You will also need to sit it out for a short time before using it.

Freezer: The pros are that it can give you storage space in other areas of your kitchen.  Also, you can freeze it so that you have portions already ready for baking.  Cons are that it may not extend shelf-life.  The consistency could be significantly different from being stored in a pantry.

Can You Freeze Crisco? How?

Yes, you can freeze Crisco. Freezing Crisco can help prevent bacterial growth. The problem is that there will be a noticeable change in its consistency.

Can: Allow it to melt down and pour into an ice tray.  Let it freeze overnight and then transfer cubes into a freezer-safe bag.

Sticks:  You can freeze the sticks whole or cut them into reasonable portions. Make sure to seal in a freezer-safe container properly.

It is better to have it portioned so that you are getting the best use for the product.  Refreezing Crisco is not recommended.

How to Thaw Crisco?

Crisco thaws quickly and should be used immediately after thawing.

Room Temperature:  Take the number of frozen cubes needed for preparation. Sit them out on the counter for several minutes or until thawed.

Refrigerator:  Put the frozen Crisco directly in the refrigerator to thaw slowly.  This may help with the consistency of the product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good substitute for Crisco? You can substitute solid Crisco with lard, butter, or margarine. The melted version can be substituted for coconut oil or vegetable oil. There are adjustments when using other ingredients; you should check before using them. Ex: 1 cup of lard minus two tablespoons

Will eating spoiled Crisco make you sick? No, eating spoiled Crisco will not make you sick. Although it will not make you sick, it will give your baked foods a horrible taste.

Wrap Up

Crisco can go bad, but the best way to store it is in a cool, dark pantry away from any heat source.  The pantry will ensure the can last for 1-2 years unopened and up to a year opened.  If you have the stick version, it will last for 1-2 years unopened and up to 6 months opened.  Only store Crisco in the refrigerator if you live in a warm climate.  The freezer is helpful if you need storage space, but the consistency will not be the same as storing in a pantry.