How long do open cans last in the refrigerator?
I opened a can of corn yesterday and only used half of it. Now I'm wondering if I can still eat the rest or if it's already gone bad. How long can I keep it in the fridge?
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Have you already transferred it to another container or is the corn still in the metal can?
That's actually the key thing. Corn from a can keeps fine in the fridge for a week or longer if you store it right. The metal can itself isn't really the problem - it's more that the exposed surface of the corn oxidizes and dries out. Just transfer the rest to a glass bowl or a container with a lid, and it'll be good for another 5-6 days. If it's still in the open can, at least cover it with a plate so it doesn't dry out.
Otherwise: smell it and take a look. Corn doesn't just go bad out of nowhere, you'll notice if something's off. Opened yesterday and still in the fridge today - you really don't need to worry about that. Just eat it whenever you feel like it.
With open cans in the fridge, I'd tell you to use up the rest within 3-4 days, but with corn that's actually pretty uncritical. Best thing is to transfer the can into a bowl or a sealed container, that way the corn keeps longer and doesn't pick up any fridge taste. If it smells or looks weird after 4-5 days, I wouldn't eat it anymore, but normally your half can of corn should still be fine.
Did you store the can in the fridge? Then the corn should easily be good for another 3-4 days, the important thing is just that you cover the can or pour the contents into another container so nothing dries out or picks up odors.
Meister asker
Yeah, I put it directly in the cupboard covered up. That way I can still use it today.
Did you cover the can or just leave it as is?
Corn keeps fine for 3-4 days in the fridge if you store it properly. The main thing really is that you cover the open can - either with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or even better, you transfer the rest into a small container. That's always what I do: I do it right after opening it, otherwise I forget and then the stuff oxidizes or picks up smells from the fridge. After one day your corn is definitely still good, I wouldn't worry about it at all.
Canned corn isn't as critical as raw meat or anything like that. Those things are precooked and preserved. If there's no discoloration and it doesn't smell weird, you can totally still use it. I had half a can of corn in my fridge last winter that I probably left in there a day too long - still didn't taste like garbage. But like, taking a few seconds to cover the can saves you the stress of wondering if it's still good or not.
Yeah, I covered the can. Thanks for the reassuring info!
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