Many canned pantry staples can remain safe and usable for years when stored properly.

A guide to keeping your canned food fresh.

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Some canned foods are must-haves in your pantry. They're nonperishable, meaning they last much longer than anything you'd keep in the fridge.

The whole purpose of stocking canned foods in your pantry is to have ingredients on hand when you need them, with the confidence that they'll last for long periods of time. But how long is too long ...