shelf-stable
adjective
shelf-sta·ble
ˈshelf-ˌstā-bəl 
: processed or packaged to withstand prolonged storage without refrigeration
All the rage in Europe and Latin America, boxed shelf-stable milk has yet to catch on with U.S. consumers.—
Christine Foster
Christine FosterExamples of shelf-stable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Not because there aren’t enough, but because donation-friendly foods (such as long-lasting, shelf-stable canned and dry goods) are only part of what’s important for a balanced meal.
—Stephanie Palacios, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024
The lineup features fresh produce from Little Mallow Farms and Black Orchid Farms, and shelf-stable goods from vendors like Bad Dog Salsa, Awaken Joy Spice Company and Carefree Honey.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 23 May 2024
Light Alfredo Pasta Sauce: Premade lower calorie Alfredo sauce can be found in the pasta aisle of your grocery store with other shelf-stable sauces, but consider refrigerated sauces that may be found in the dairy section of the store as well.
—Jan Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2024
This Pink Mayo, Barbecue, and Beetroot Sauce Makes a Case for Vibrant Condiments
The bottom line is that while ketchup is a shelf-stable product, refrigerating it after it’s opened is recommended by food scientist and food safety experts in order to preserve its trademark taste, color, and flavor.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2024
Becca Millstein calls the entire category of pantry, shelf-stable goods in the U.S.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
Evaporated Milk: Evaporated milk is a shelf-stable milk from which 60% of the water has been removed.
—Jan Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024
Testers were wowed by the taste and froth of Rise’s shelf-stable oat milk, which saved them (and their wallets) a few trips to the coffee shop.
—Grace McCarty, SELF, 13 Mar. 2024
Three Biden administration officials said the planes dropped the military Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) — shelf-stable meals that contain a day’s worth of calories in each sealed package — in locations that were thought would provide civilians with the greatest level of safety to access aid.
—Tara Copp, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2024
Stephanie Palacios, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024
The lineup features fresh produce from Little Mallow Farms and Black Orchid Farms, and shelf-stable goods from vendors like Bad Dog Salsa, Awaken Joy Spice Company and Carefree Honey.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 23 May 2024
Light Alfredo Pasta Sauce: Premade lower calorie Alfredo sauce can be found in the pasta aisle of your grocery store with other shelf-stable sauces, but consider refrigerated sauces that may be found in the dairy section of the store as well.
—Jan Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2024
This Pink Mayo, Barbecue, and Beetroot Sauce Makes a Case for Vibrant Condiments
The bottom line is that while ketchup is a shelf-stable product, refrigerating it after it’s opened is recommended by food scientist and food safety experts in order to preserve its trademark taste, color, and flavor.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2024
Becca Millstein calls the entire category of pantry, shelf-stable goods in the U.S.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
Evaporated Milk: Evaporated milk is a shelf-stable milk from which 60% of the water has been removed.
—Jan Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024
Testers were wowed by the taste and froth of Rise’s shelf-stable oat milk, which saved them (and their wallets) a few trips to the coffee shop.
—Grace McCarty, SELF, 13 Mar. 2024
Three Biden administration officials said the planes dropped the military Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) — shelf-stable meals that contain a day’s worth of calories in each sealed package — in locations that were thought would provide civilians with the greatest level of safety to access aid.
—Tara Copp, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shelf-stable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shelf-stable
Cite this Entry
“Shelf-stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelf-stable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share