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
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That's Been Sitting in the Sun Unless the food is shelf-stable, like potato chips, avoid any food sitting in the sun or heat for an hour or more.
—Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
The top answers included meat products (28%), such as lunch meat, hot dogs, and hamburgers; shelf-stable foods (14%), like canned, packaged, and frozen goods; and foods with artificial additives (13%).
—New Atlas, 10 July 2025
Unlike shelf-stable mixes that use the bottled lime juice, Natalie’s has only 3 ingredients: water, fresh limes, and Florida pure cane sugar.
—Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
The shelf-stable sauce was considered a pantry essential in colonial times.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf-stable
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Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
The top answers included meat products (28%), such as lunch meat, hot dogs, and hamburgers; shelf-stable foods (14%), like canned, packaged, and frozen goods; and foods with artificial additives (13%).
—New Atlas, 10 July 2025
Unlike shelf-stable mixes that use the bottled lime juice, Natalie’s has only 3 ingredients: water, fresh limes, and Florida pure cane sugar.
—Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
The shelf-stable sauce was considered a pantry essential in colonial times.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf-stable
Cite this Entry
“Shelf-stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelf-stable. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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