3. Any Type of Nuts
Walnuts, pine nuts, peanuts, and, well, all kinds of nuts, shouldn’t be stored in the pantry. That’s because the natural oils found in nuts can turn rancid, making them go stale when exposed to warm temperatures.
Plus, if the nuts are exposed to moisture, they can harbor bacteria as well. Over time, you could end up with this healthy snack that is both stale and bacteria-laden. To prevent this from happening, store your nuts in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.
4. Cured Meats
Sealed cured meats may be stored at the supermarket at room temperature, but once opened, they should be stashed in the fridge. Given that a lot of salt is used to preserve the meat, one would think it should have a long shelf life; therefore, it can be left in the pantry. Unfortunately, that’s not true.
Even though the packaging may say “shelf-stable,” cured meats dry out quite fast if opened and kept in the pantry (not to mention that they can easily attract bacteria). Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap to prevent air from drying out the meat and store them in the refrigerator.
