Here’s the short answer: frozen beans are safe to eat pretty much forever if kept at a constant 0°F. Your freezer isn’t a time machine, but it’s the next best thing for stopping spoilage in its tracks. Bacteria can’t grow in sub-zero temps, so you’ll never get sick from old frozen beans—how cool is that?
But safety and quality are two different beasts. After about 8 to 12 months, those beans start to lose their mojo. Think of it like a stretched-out playlist: the songs (vitamins, texture) are still there, but the vibe gets a little muffled.
So, the real question isn’t “can I eat them?” It’s “do I want to eat them?” Let’s be honest, mushy beans aren’t exactly a treat.