Can walnuts be frozen? - The best way

As the world of nutrition continues to convince us that not all fat is bad, more and more people are embracing the wonder that nuts are. Pecans, in particular, are a favorite thanks to their sweet taste, easy availability in the US, and surprisingly healthy nutritional value.

If you’re lucky enough to have a pecan tree nearby, you may be able to get a year’s supply or more each fall harvest. Or maybe you just like the advantages of buying in bulk. In either case, you have to protect your pecans.

Can pecans be frozen to extend their life?

The answer is not only yes, but you should freeze pecans so they stay fresh and delicious for years. Pecans have a tendency to absorb the flavors of other nearby foods, or even the frigid air in the freezer, so be sure to seal them well before freezing. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to freeze walnuts, how to store them if you’re short on freezer space, and everything else you might want to know about walnuts.

Best Practices for Freezing Pecans

The best way to preserve pecans, and any other nuts, is in the freezer. It’s a simple process, but worth doing right.

The best solution is to place all nuts, whether shelled or shelled, in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. For even more protection, place the sealed bag in a freezer-safe Tupperware container.

The reason you want to make sure you store them properly is that once frozen, your pecans can maintain their fresh-picked quality for 2 years or more. 

Stored properly, you can keep your shelled pecans in the freezer for up to 2 years, but if you left them in the shell before freezing, they will stay fresh for another 2 years.

With a little forethought and freezer space, pecans are definitely a food that makes sense to buy in bulk.

How to thaw frozen pecans

To defrost the pecans, simply let them sit on the counter until they are back to room temperature. It won’t take long, half an hour or less in most cases, so avoid the temptation to microwave them.

Heating frozen nuts can not only destroy the quality of the nutrition, but it can also make the nuts chewy and tasteless.

It’s best to leave them frozen until you’re almost ready to use them.  If you thaw them too soon, store them still closed in the fridge to keep them fresh.

Alternative Ways to Store Pecans

If you’ve picked or bought a supply of pecans just enough to last you the week, you can safely store them in a tightly closed Tupperware container or Ziploc bag. Just make sure you keep them out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dry place.

They will last like this for about a week, but don’t push your luck. Nuts can go rancid quite easily if exposed to heat, moisture, or air.

If your supplies are a bit larger, you can also refrigerate the nuts. You should be just as careful about storing them in the fridge as you are about storing them in the freezer, because there’s nothing worse than weird-tasting nuts.

Avoid contaminating your nuts with foreign flavors and odors by storing them in an airtight, moisture-proof container. For the fridge, opting for a glass jar is a great solution. This will last up to 6 months.

How to store walnuts in shell

Keeping your nuts in a shell will further protect them from the oxidation that causes them to go rancid, as well as prevent neighboring odors and flavors from invading your nut.

A walnut in its shell will keep fresh in your fridge for up to a year, and in a cool, dry place, but not refrigerated, between 3 and 6 months, although you should keep an eye on its quality.

To store them in the shell, simply place all the nuts in a closable container. They take up more space than in-shell walnuts, but will stay fresh much longer as long as no moisture gets into the container.

How to tell if pecans have gone bad

There are two main ways to tell if your pecans have gone stale:

1. They taste terrible . Any dried fruit that has gone bad will taste sour. In a large bag of mixed nuts it’s not uncommon for a bitter nut to suddenly appear, but you might not give it much thought if you immediately chase it with another fresher nut. However, if you notice that some nuts in your collection are not at their best, it may be time to look for a new supply.
2. They smell bad . It’s hard to describe the smell of nuts gone bad, but it’s almost like paint or even thinner. It’s absolutely unappetizing and you can tell if a big batch of nuts has gone stale. However, you are not as likely to smell a single nut in a bowl.

If the nuts have gone rancid, it’s best to discard them and get a fresh batch. If they’ve simply gone stale, you can bring back a bit of sweetness, along with a delicious crunch.

Just spread the nuts out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and pop them in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes at 350F . They will develop a delicious fried effect thanks to the high oil content.

Normally, if your nuts have gone bad, it is due to improper storage. In the case of this particular nut, there may be another reason why your nuts taste bitter.

Certain critters are highly attracted to the sweet sap of a fresh nut. If you notice any dark spots on your walnut, it may be the victim of a stink bug or leaf bug. This won’t make them dangerous, but it will make for a noticeably less sweet nut.

Related questions

Do I have to wash the walnuts before shelling them?

You don’t need to wash the walnuts before shelling them, but some people find it easier to crack if you boil them whole, in their shells, for about 10 minutes, before going to the tedious job of shelling them. Be sure to let them cool before wrapping them with your fingers.

Can you eat rancid nuts?

If you eat a few rancid or even rancid nuts, they are not likely to significantly harm you.

If you work hard to overcome the bad taste and eat a large number of nuts that have gone bad, you may end up with indigestion or some other form of reaction to poor quality.

Are Nuts Good For You?

Nuts are extraordinarily good for you. They have incredibly high levels of antioxidants, essential minerals, vitamins, and fiber, among other nutrients.

Aside from their good nutritional value, many people wonder if walnuts make them fat. Well, they’re a great source of healthy monounsaturated fat, which is good for your heart and overall health, but they’re still high in calories.

Their nutritional value should encourage you to include them in a healthy eating plan, but keep serving size in mind.

Are walnuts bad for dogs?

In general, it’s a good idea to avoid feeding your dog any nuts, as most of them have compounds that can be toxic to animals.

Nuts are among the least likely offenders , but salted or flavored nuts aren’t good for your pets, and if eaten in large quantities—which, depending on your dog’s size, could be just one or two nuts—they can cause digestion problems or obstruction.

Lastly, if your pecans or other nuts have even the slightest trace of toxin, it could be dangerous to your furry friend even if it wasn’t registered by humans. It is best to avoid it.

Are pecans nuts?

There are many seeds and even legumes that we often call nuts that aren’t really nuts, but pecans are, in fact, a true nut. They are also nuts and are also one of the only nuts that are actually native to the US.

Are pecans keto?

As far as nuts go, pecans are on the lower end of the carb scale , making them the most keto-friendly while still having some carbs.

For every 100 grams of pecans, you’ll get about 4 net carbs. Compared to cashews, which have about 22 carbs (nearly all of your daily intake on a strict keto diet), you’ll be able to enjoy all the healthy fats and nutrition that nuts offer when you choose nuts.

Are pecans gluten free?

Gluten is a protein that comes exclusively from wheat, so pecans are naturally gluten-free, yes.

However, if you have a severe allergy or sensitivity to gluten, when purchasing pecans that have been shelled or processed in any way, you should ensure that they have been processed in a gluten-free facility, so there is no chance of cross-contamination.