Lemon pepper seasoning is a popular spice blend that adds citrus and peppery flavor to meats, fish, vegetables, and more. It typically contains granulated lemon peel, black pepper, salt, onion, and garlic powder. But how long does lemon pepper seasoning last after opening? And is it still safe to use after the printed expiration date?
Quick answer
Unopened lemon pepper seasoning lasts 1-2 years past the printed expiration date. Opened lemon pepper lasts 6-12 months past the printed date. Properly stored lemon pepper will maintain good flavor and potency for over a year. Discoloration, fading, drying out, or change in aroma are signs lemon pepper may be past its prime.
How to tell if lemon pepper seasoning is expired
Here are some signs that lemon pepper seasoning has gone bad and may not be safe to consume:
- Change in color: Fresh lemon pepper is vibrant yellow. Fading to a dull pale yellow indicates stale spices.
- Dry texture: Dried out lumps or clumping signal lemon pepper is past its prime.
- Weak aroma: Lemon pepper that smells musty or lacking in lemony aroma has likely expired.
- Off odor: Rancid, stale, or moldy odors mean lemon pepper should be discarded.
- Bitter taste: Expired lemon pepper will taste flat or bitter.
Does lemon pepper seasoning expire?
Yes, lemon pepper seasoning does eventually expire. The printed expiration date on the packaging indicates how long the manufacturer guarantees optimal flavor and freshness when properly stored. However, spices like lemon pepper can maintain quality and potency well beyond the best by date if stored correctly.
Unopened lemon pepper shelf life
Unopened containers of lemon pepper seasoning will stay fresh for 1-2 years past the printed expiration date. The airtight packaging prevents exposure to air, light, and moisture that cause spices to deteriorate faster once opened.
Opened lemon pepper shelf life
Once opened, lemon pepper seasoning will begin to slowly decline in flavor and aroma. Opened lemon pepper will last approximately:
- Pantry: 6-12 months past printed date.
- Fridge: 2-3 years past printed date.
- Freezer: Indefinitely.
Storing opened lemon pepper in the freezer is the best way to maximize shelf life. The cold frozen temperature prevents moisture absorption and slows down chemical changes that lead to staleness.
How to store lemon pepper to extend shelf life
Follow these tips to properly store lemon pepper seasoning and prolong freshness:
- Keep containers tightly sealed – Exposure to air causes faster deterioration. Press out excess air before sealing.
- Store in a cool, dark place – Heat, light, and moisture speed up spice staleness. The pantry or cupboard are ideal spots.
- Refrigerate or freeze after opening – The cold prevents moisture absorption and slows spice staleness.
- Keep away from heat sources – Don’t store lemon pepper near the oven, stove, or toaster oven.
- Buy smaller containers – Large containers take longer to use up after opening. Smaller amounts stay fresher.
Can you eat lemon pepper seasoning after expiration date?
Yes, you can safely eat lemon pepper seasoning after the printed expiration date, provided it has been properly stored. The date on the packaging only indicates best quality, not safety. Expired lemon pepper may have diminished flavor, but it does not pose any health risks if consumed.
Use your senses to check for staleness. If the lemon pepper smells and tastes normal with vivid aroma and flavor, it should be fine to use. Discard any lemon pepper with an off smell, appearance, or taste.
Does lemon pepper go bad?
Lemon pepper seasoning does not exactly “go bad” in the sense of being unsafe to eat. Rather, spices like lemon pepper slowly lose potency and flavor over time. Proper storage helps extend the shelf life, but eventually lemon pepper will fade and become less flavorful.
Signs that lemon pepper has gone stale include faded color, dry texture, weak aroma, bitter taste, or rancid smell. These changes happen slowly over months to years. But you can still safely consume lemon pepper in this state, though the flavor will be diminished.
How long does McCormick lemon pepper last?
McCormick lemon pepper seasoning lasts approximately:
- Unopened: 2 years from printed date
- Opened:
- Pantry: 1 year from printed date
- Refrigerator: 3 years from printed date
McCormick utilizes moisture-proof packaging and small containers to help their spices retain optimal freshness longer. Refrigerating after opening helps extend McCormick lemon pepper’s shelf life even further.
How long does Lawry’s lemon pepper last?
Lawry’s lemon pepper seasoning lasts approximately:
- Unopened: 2 years past printed date
- Opened:
- Pantry: 1 year past printed date
- Refrigerator: 2 years past printed date
Lawry’s also uses moisture-proof containers to prolong freshness. Refrigerating opened Lawry’s lemon pepper seasoning will help maintain optimal flavor and aroma for a year or more past the printed expiration date.
Does lemon pepper expire if unopened?
Yes, even unopened lemon pepper seasoning eventually expires, though it lasts much longer than opened containers. Unopened lemon pepper lasts 1-2 years past the printed expiration date when stored properly in a cool, dark place.
The airtight packaging prevents air, light, and moisture from entering and accelerating spice deterioration. But over time, the herbs, spices, salt, and other components will slowly degrade in quality.
How long is lemon pepper good for after opening?
Once opened, lemon pepper seasoning will stay fresh for approximately:
- Pantry: 6-12 months past printed date
- Refrigerator: 2-3 years past printed date
- Freezer: Indefinitely
Exposure to air, light, and humidity after opening causes faster deterioration. Refrigerating or freezing opened lemon pepper helps extend shelf life. But even properly stored, opened lemon pepper will slowly decline in potency and flavor over time.
Can old lemon pepper make you sick?
No, consuming expired lemon pepper seasoning does not typically cause illness or health issues. The ingredients in lemon pepper – including lemon peel, black pepper, salt, onion, and garlic powder – are very shelf-stable and do not grow harmful bacteria.
At worst, extremely old lemon pepper may lose its vibrant flavor. But it will not make you sick or cause foodborne illness if ingested. Use your senses of sight and smell to check for staleness and discard lemon pepper that smells or appears unappetizing.
Can expired lemon pepper hurt you?
No, expired lemon pepper seasoning cannot hurt you or cause illness if consumed. Lemon pepper’s active ingredients – herbs, spices, lemon, salt – do not spoil in a way that produces toxins or bacteria.
The expiration date on the packaging only indicates best quality and flavor. Deteriorated lemon pepper may taste bland or stale, but it does not become unsafe or dangerous to ingest. Discard any lemon pepper with significant changes in aroma, consistency, or appearance.
What happens if you eat expired lemon pepper?
Nothing harmful happens if you consume expired lemon pepper seasoning. You may notice diminished flavor or a slight staleness in extremely old lemon pepper. But eaten lemon pepper does not cause health issues or sickness due to spoilage.
The active ingredients in lemon pepper – including lemon peel, black pepper, salt, onion, and garlic – do not grow toxic bacteria or produce harmful substances over time. Only the quality slowly degrades. So expired lemon pepper is still safe to ingest.
Can expired lemon pepper make food taste bad?
Yes, using expired lemon pepper can make food taste bad or unappetizing. As lemon pepper ages, it slowly loses its vibrant citrus and spicy flavors.
Here are some ways stale lemon pepper impacts food taste:
- Weak lemon aroma and flavor
- Muted black pepper punch
- Flat, cardboard-like taste
- Metallic or bitter undertones
- Musty aftertaste
These changes are especially noticeable when lemon pepper has expired by many months or years. Using very old lemon pepper can lead to disappointment in the final dish or meal.
Should you cook with expired lemon pepper?
Cooking with expired lemon pepper is safe, but may lead to lackluster flavor. It’s best to discard lemon pepper that smells or tastes stale. However, if the lemon pepper shows minimal deterioration, using it in cooked dishes can help mask subtler changes in taste.
Tips for cooking with older lemon pepper:
- Use in recipes with robust seasoning like stews, roasts, or strongly flavored marinades.
- Complement with other fresh herbs and spices – the additional flavors can compensate for lemon pepper staleness.
- Use up older lemon pepper in recipes that call for larger amounts of seasoning rather than a pinch or dash.
- Stick to quick cooking methods like grilling, sautéing, or baking – extended simmering times may accentuate “off” notes.
Proper storage helps lemon pepper last longer, but the occasional expired container may still slip through. With some care in recipes, you can still put mildly stale lemon pepper to use.
What’s the best substitute for expired lemon pepper?
If you discover the lemon pepper seasoning in your pantry is past its prime, don’t worry – you have options for substitutions. Here are some good alternatives to expired lemon pepper:
- Lemon zest + black pepper – Combine freshly grated lemon zest and ground black pepper to taste. This will provide bright lemon flavor and spike of heat.
- Lemon juice + black pepper – Mix lemon juice from a bottle or fresh lemons with freshly ground black pepper.
- Lemon garlic pepper – Lemon garlic pepper seasoning has similar citrus and spice notes, minus the onion flavor.
- Garlic pepper – Garlic pepper gives a punch of pepper without the lemon.
- Lemon herb seasoning – Blends like lemon thyme, lemon dill, or lemon rosemary add complementary flavors.
Spice blends like herbes de provence, Italian seasoning, or za’atar also pair well with additional lemon zest or juice. Get creative with your spice cabinet to replace stale lemon pepper.
Conclusion
Lemon pepper seasoning has a shelf life of around 1-2 years unopened or 6-12 months opened. Storing lemon pepper properly helps extend its fresh life significantly past the printed expiration date. While expired lemon pepper loses potency and aroma over time, it does not become unsafe or dangerous to eat. Use your senses to check for staleness and complement older lemon pepper with other herbs and spices when cooking to maximize flavor.
