Do bay leaves go bad? Yes. Fresh bay leaves can go moldy if not stored properly, and dried bay leaves eventually lose their flavor.
Bay leaves are an important part of many recipes, but it can be hard to tell when they’re no longer good. So, the question everyone wants is: do bay leaves go bad?
Have you ever pulled a jar of bay leaves out of your spice cabinet and wondered if they were still good to use? It’s a question that many people who cook at home ask, so you’re not alone.
Most bay leaves in the cabinets of most Americans are dried, and thus last a pretty long time. Fresh bay leaves are a little harder to find for purchase in stores, but they are also used in cooking. We will take a look at both kinds.

Bay leaves are a common ingredient found in many kitchens. They give stews, soups, and sauces a taste that is distinctive and fragrant.
But how long can you keep these flavorfu leaves before you no longer expect them to have the same flavor? The answer is not as easy as you may first believe it to be.
If properly preserved, fresh bay leaves may remain used for many months; nevertheless, their strength will progressively decrease over time.
How long do dried bay leaves last?
A variety of meals may benefit from the aromatic and savory addition of dried bay leaves, which are a pantry essential for many people who cook at home. They are a large part of making my homemade tomato sauce.
However, how long do they remain effective before losing their potency?
The answer to this issue will be contingent on a number of different aspects, such as the circumstances of storage and the method by which they were dried.
When dried bay leaves are kept in an airtight container and placed in a cold, dark location, they have an average shelf life of up to one year.
However, it is essential to remember that their taste will progressively diminish over time.
Because of this, it is recommended that you replace them every six to eight months to guarantee that they will continue to impart the correct flavor.

Do fresh bay leaves go bad?
Yes. Fresh bay leaves can go moldy if not stored in the refrigerator, and then may only be good to use for two weeks.
Bay leaves that are still fresh should be stored in an area that is both cold and dry. They should also be shielded from air, light, and excess moisture.
It can be hard to tell the difference between fresh and dry bay leaf; the best way to tell is that fresh bay leaves have a very shiny and rich, dark green color. Dried is muted “sage” green or drab brown with a flat, more shrunken appearance.
Do dried bay leaves go bad?
The use of dried bay leaves imparts a distinct and earthy taste to dishes such as stews, soups, and sauces. Bay leaves are a pantry staple in many homes.
However, do these dried leaves have a shelf life, or will they remain viable for an unlimited amount of time?
The explanation for this is that just like any other dried spice, bay leaves that have been dried will ultimately lose their taste and strength as time passes.
On the other hand, dried bay leaves have a shelf life of up to a year or even longer if they are preserved correctly.
Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark area away from sources of heat and light to ensure that they remain fresh for the longest amount of time possible.
If you find that the taste or perfume of the leaves have diminished, it is time to replace them with new, fresh leaves.

How to tell if dried bay leaves have gone bad
Dried bay leaves are a common ingredient found in many kitchens, but it may be difficult to determine whether they have reached their expiration date. There are a few clear indicators that it is time to replace your dried bay leaves, including the following:
- Absence of scent. is one of the clearest indicators that your bay leaves have lost their potency, and it can be one of the most frustrating.
If you can’t smell anything when you sniff a fresh bay leaf, it’s time to throw it out and get new ones. Bay leaves should have a robust, earthy perfume. - Faded color. Old bay leaves appear a drab brown, but fresh bay leaves have a deep, glossy verdant tint.
If the leaves on your plant have lost their bright green color, this indicates that they may not have the same taste as they once had. - Crumbly or “holey” texture. Whole bay leaves that are beyond their prime turn to dust when rubbed between your fingertips, or the leaf appears to have holes in it.
- Off flavor. Since bay leaves are not eaten, whether fresh or dry, you may not be able to tell until you take a bite of your meal if the bay leaf was spoiled. An unusual, sour or highly bitter flavor is a telltale indicator that your bay leaves have gone rotten and need to be replaced. Unfortunately, you may not know until you’ve already added it to your recipes.

How to tell if fresh bay leaves have gone bad
Fresh bay leaves are a versatile ingredient that can add a subtle, woodsy flavor to various dishes.
But, like all fresh produce, they can go bad if not stored properly. Here are some signs that it’s time to discard your fresh bay leaves:
- Musty odor: If your bay leaves have a musty or moldy smell, it’s a sign that they’ve gone bad and should be discarded.
- Signs of mold: If you notice any visible signs of white mold or soft, dark discoloration on the leaves, throw them away.
- Wilting or yellowing: Fresh bay leaves should be firm and vibrant in color. If they’re wilting or yellowing, it’s a sign that they’re no longer fresh and should be discarded.
- Off flavor: If your bay leaves give your dishes an off taste, it’s a sign that they’ve gone bad and the remaining bayleaf in that batch should be discarded.

Tips on storing fresh bay leaves
Fresh bay leaves still have water in them, so they can mold, rot, and get bruised much more quickly than dried bay leaves.
Check a fresh bay leaf for mold and spots before you use it.
If you wash your bay leaves, be sure to pat them dry, so they don’t have too much water when you put them in the fridge.
Think of these as you would any other fresh produce. Put them in a produce bag and put them in the fridge. They should last about two weeks.
And, of course, fresh bay leaves will dry out if you leave them out in the air for too long.
If you want to keep your fresh bayleaf for longer than two weeks, you can dry them in a dehydrator, cool oven, or left out and protected from dust and disturbance until they are completely dry.

How long do bay leaves last in a jar?
Dried bay leaves can last up to a year in an airtight jar, while fresh bay leaves can last for several months if they are stored correctly.
Putting bay leaves in a jar closed tightly with an airtight lid is a great way to store them for later use, whether they are fresh or dried. But how long will they stay good in a jar before going bad?
- Fresh leaves stored in a jar with a lid need to be kept cold and can last for two weeks as long as they aren’t washed and not dried. Too much moisture makes fresh herbs spoil faster.
- Dry bay leaves stored in a jar with a lid should be kept in a cool, dark place like a pantry that’s away from heat like the stove, bright lights or direct sun. They will start to lose their pungent smell and flavor immediately, losing 25% in three months, 50% in six months, and may have lost all of their seasoning potential after a full year kept sealed.
If your bay leaves come to you in zipper bags, transfer them to glass jars with lids to ensure they stay properly sealed.
If you want your bay leaves to last as long as possible, keep them in a cool, dry place away from heat and light and in a jar with a tight lid.

Tips on storing dried bay leaves
Keeping dried bay leaves potent and flavorful for as long as possible requires that they are kept dry, airtight (as much as possible), out of the light, away from heat sources, and away from locations with high humidity.
Even the most carefully packaged dried herbs and spices can lose some of their taste if the air is allowed to come into contact with them.
Here are suggestions for how to provide safekeeping for bayleaf:
- Put them in an airtight container. If you don’t have an airtight container, you can also use a clean, dry jar with a lid.
- Don’t store them near other spices like oregano or thyme, which have a similar taste to bay leaves and will pick up some of each other’s flavors if they’re too close together.
- Keep them in the fridge or away from direct sunlight and heat sources like stoves and ovens.
If you store your bay leaves right, they can last up to two years before they lose their potent and pungent smell and flavor.

How long are dried bay leaves good for after expiration date?
Many kitchens have dried bay leaves on hand because they give soups, stews, and sauces a unique, earthy taste.
But how long do they last after the date on the package says they are no longer good? If the package even has an expiration date at all.
McCormick says this about their Culinary Bay Leaves:
McCormick Culinary® Bay Leaves has a shelf life of 720 days when tightly closed and stored in a cool, dry place to protect against flavor loss and moisture. Avoid exposure to heat, humidity, direct sunlight and fluorescent light to maintain flavor and color. Always use dry measuring spoons and cups to ensure optimal product integrity.
Good advice.
So, the answer to this question depends on several things, such as the type of leaves (fresh or dry), how they are stored, and how well the container seals. Even though a date of expiration is helpful, it is not a hard and fast rule.
In general, dried bay leaves that are kept in an airtight container and kept in a cool, dry place can stay flavorful and fresh for up to a year or more after the expiration date.
But if the smell or taste is gone, it’s best to switch out the leaves for new ones.

What are black spots on dry bay leaves?
The presence of black spots on dried bay leaves is cause for alarm for anybody who utilizes these aromatic leaves in their culinary preparations.
However, what precisely are these spots, and may they be dangerous?
Mold, which may develop on dried bay leaves if the leaves are not kept in the appropriate conditions, may be responsible for the appearance of black dots on the leaves.
Even if the use of moldy bay leaves in cooking does not necessarily pose any health risks, the taste and perfume of the leaves may be altered, making it less appealing to use them in the meals you prepare.
To keep bay leaves from being ruined by mold, they should be kept in an airtight container in a dark, cold, and dry location, away from sources of heat and light.
In the event that you find dried bay leaves that have black spots on them, it is better to toss them out and use new bay leaves in their stead.

Where to buy fresh bay leaves
Fresh bay leaves are a little harder to find in stores because they don’t have a long shelf life. We did a bit of research to find out a few stores that currently offer them, whether locally or online. While shopping options may change frequently, at the time of this writing, here are some places where we found fresh bay leaves.
- Shenandoah Growers’ Organic Fresh Bay Leaves at Walmart
- Duncan Family Farms Organic Fresh Bay Leaves at Sprouts
- Amazon (aff)
- Whole Foods Kenter Canyon Farms
- Even Etsy sells Hawaiian-grown fresh bay leaves
Fresh bay leaves vs dried bay leaves
Fresh bay leaves have a strong, bitter flavor and aroma. When dried, their flavor mellows and becomes more herbal, with notes reminiscent of thyme and oregano.
Due to this flavor difference, dried bay leaves are often preferred in cooking, as they impart a more subtle and complex flavor to dishes.
- Fresh bay leaves are best used in dishes that are cooked for a short period of time, as their flavor can become overpowering if cooked for too long.
- Dried bay leaves can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, sauces, and marinades.
- When using either fresh or dried bay leaves, it is important to remove them from the dish before serving, as they are not meant to be eaten as whole leaves.
What kind of recipes use bay leaf?
Here are some examples of popular recipes that use bay leaf for a depth of earthy flavor:
- Cassoulet: This hearty French stew is made with a variety of smoked meats, duck confit, and white beans. It is typically served with crusty bread for dipping.
- Braised lamb shanks: These tender lamb shanks are cooked in a rich sauce with polenta and vegetables. They are a delicious and satisfying main course.
- French onion soup: This classic soup is made with caramelized onions, beef broth, and Gruyère cheese. It is a hearty and flavorful soup that is perfect for a cold winter day.
- Tomato pasta sauce: Tomato sauce receives a real boost from one or two dried bay leaves dropped in and simmered all day with the other ingredients.
- Filipino-style Adobo Sauce: Our easy Asian-inspired Adobo sauce uses only five ingredients and one of them is the humble bay leaf. This versatile sauce can be a braising sauce, dumpling dip, and marinade too.

The bottom line
Whether they are fresh or dried, bay leaves can go bad over time. Fresh bay leaves can last for two weeks if they are kept refrigerated.
Dried bay leaves can last for a year or more if they are kept in a container that keeps air out.
Ensure you store your bay leaves properly and check them often for signs of spoilage, like mold, wilting, yellowing, or a strange smell or taste.
Using these tips, you can use bay leaves in your cooking for a long time to come and enjoy their unique, earthy flavor.