VANILLAGOODS / FRESH MARKET BUYING GUIDE

Pecans: Buying, Storage & Baking Guide

Learn how to choose, store, and bake with pecans, with quality checks and U.S. season guidance.

Nuts & seeds
Pecans: Pecans in and out of the shell

Look for

Clean, intact; minimal dust or breakage

Feel & texture

Dry; no moisture clumping

Aroma

Nutty and fresh, not paint-like, rancid or musty

What to avoid

Mold, pests, rancid oil odors

How to store

Airtight, cool and dark; refrigerate or freeze for longevity

Typical U.S. season

Typical U.S. months: Oct, Nov, Dec

Growing regions and availability

High-level growing suitability depends on variety, climate and local conditions.

Seasons and growing conditions vary by location and variety. Imported or stored ingredients may be available outside typical growing windows.

Visual buying guide

Pecans, where it grows: Pecans in split green husks on a pecan tree branch

Where it grows

Pecans, pick this one: Plump, golden-brown pecan halves

Pick this one

Clean, intact; minimal dust or breakage

Pecans, skip this one: Dark, shriveled pecan halves with dust

Skip this one

Mold, pests, rancid oil odors

What can you bake with Pecans?

Pralines, nut pastry, cookies

Explore pecan recipes →

Learn more about Pecans

Definition, facts and sources in our Dessert Encyclopedia.

Read “Pecans” in the Dessert Encyclopedia →

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