Jello is tasty treat many know and love. It’s cheap, tastes great, and can be a fun wiggly dessert. People use it for all kinds of creative jello shapes. Kids love rubbery jello desserts and jello shots can add a unique experience to parties.
The gelatin found in jello is also surprisingly nutritious and high in protein. There are also numerous health benefits associated with consuming gelatin on a regular basis.
Powdered dry jello mix can have a surprisingly long shelf life if stored properly. For this reason it can be a great idea to add some jello to your emergency food supply.
Types of Jello
The main forms of jello that you will find are powdered jello and ready to eat prepared jello.
Ready to eat jello will generally be found in refrigerator section of most grocery stores. Powdered jello can usually be found in the baking isle.
Lastly, there are jello pudding pops which must be frozen and aren’t suitable for long term storage.
All jello typically has the following main ingredients:
Sugar
Gelatin
Food coloring
Flavoring
Does Jello Expire?
The short answer is yes, it can eventually expire. How long will jello last depends entirely on how you store powdered jello or prepared ready to eat jello.
Ready to eat jello generally won’t last more than a few months if the package is sealed and kept within a refrigerator.
How long does jello last?
If you keep jello gelatin mix powder in it’s original packaging in the pantry you can expect it to last about a year. The jello mix I just bought at the store has a best by date of 11 months from the date of purchase. Beyond that you may notice the jello powder to start to harden. The dessert may not have the best flavor if you decide to make it.
If you store jello power in vacuum sealed mylar bags with oxygen absorbers you can expect a shelf life of two years or more.
I recently opened a package of jello I have had in storage for over five years and it still tasted fine.
How long does prepared jello last?
Prepared and packaged jello won’t last more than a few months in the refrigerator. Freezing jello can extend the shelf life over a year if it is inside an airtight container.
If you decide to freeze jello you may find your jello turns to a watery liquid when thawed.
Eating jello past expiration date
If jello has been stored in a cool and dry place in the original package you can safely eat it beyond the best by date. This date simply means the flavor, texture, and nutrients of the jello will be best before this date.
Better storage methods will preserve the jello well past the date on the package.
Pre packaged prepared jello can be eaten past the best by date but one must be much more careful. Check to see if there is any sign of mold or dark spots on the jello. If the jello has a sour smell or unusual color that is an indication you have spoiled jello and it is not safe to eat.
Unless you are in a dire situation or if there is any doubt, avoid eating prepared packaged jello beyond the printed date. Food safety is not something to mess with.
How to maximize jello shelf life
If you’re looking to add jello to your prepper stockpile you’re going to want it stored correctly.
The best way to store boxed dry mix jello beyond expiration date is by using vacuum sealed mylar bags with oxygen absorbers placed within food grade (or normal) buckets.
If you’re interested in learning how to store rice long term check out our post here.
This method protects the jello from oxygen, moisture, light, and pests. All of which can spoil your jello and reduce it’s shelf life.
An alternative method to store jello is by using air tight containers. Glass mason jars or other plastic food safe containers will help preserve jello’s shelf life. If you include oxygen absorber better still.
Regardless of your chosen storage method, your containers should be kept in a cool dry environment.
How to prepare powdered jello desserts
One of the benefits of jello is how simple it is to prepare with limited resources. All you need is the jello mix, boiling water, and a container. It’s best to follow the instructions on the package of jello mix but here is a rough guide that should work for most jello
What you need:
Jello mix
Boiling water
A container to let the jello set
How to make homemade jello:
Mix about two cups of boiling water with twelve ounces of jello powder.
Stir until combined completely.
Pour the liquid into your container
Refrigerate until firm
