Shortening: Crisco Can and Stick Storage Guidance
For Crisco solid shortening, the unopened shelf-life clock runs from manufacture. Opened cans and sticks have different maker recommendations. These numerical endpoints are not expressly classified as quality or safety limits.
Quick answer
Crisco lists 2 years from manufacture for unopened solid shortening cans and sticks kept cool and dry. This is maker shelf-life guidance; its numerical safety-versus-quality endpoint is not expressly defined.
Count from manufacture, not purchase. Use clear package dating or ask Crisco about an ambiguous code; a historical single-digit code example does not identify a current decade.
For its opened shortening cans kept cool, dry and covered, Crisco gives about 1 year after opening. This maker shelf-life recommendation has no expressly defined numerical safety-versus-quality endpoint.
Mark the opening date. Opening does not erase manufacturing age or an earlier applicable package limit.
For its opened shortening sticks kept cool and dry, Crisco gives about 6 months after opening. This maker shelf-life recommendation has no expressly defined numerical safety-versus-quality endpoint.
Use the first opening date and preserve earlier manufacturing age and applicable package limits. Do not substitute the opened-can period.
Crisco says refrigeration is optional and makes shortening firmer. No extra storage period is established for moving it to the fridge.
Changing storage location does not create a new manufacture or opening date.
Discard immediately if
- Replace shortening with an off odor or visible deterioration.
Why guidance varies
This page covers solid cooking and baking shortening. Liquid oil, butter, margarine, lard and used frying fat have different storage requirements. Even one maker distinguishes cans from sticks.
Match the product state, storage conditions and source clock above. This guide does not provide an automatic expiry timer.
Frequently asked questions
Does buying shortening start the unopened clock?
For the cited Crisco solid-shortening guidance, the unopened clock begins at manufacture. Purchase is not a new starting point; use the package information and ask the maker if its date code is unclear.
Can I use the can guidance for shortening sticks?
No. Crisco gives separate after-opening guidance for cans and sticks. Keep the format and first opening date with the product rather than treating all solid shortening as one countdown.
Sources for this answer
- B Crisco — Frequently Asked Questions — Solid-shortening manufacture and opening clocks, separate can/stick shelf-life guidance, cool and dry storage, and optional refrigeration. Numerical endpoints are not expressly classified.