We know you have a collection of condiments in your fridge or pantry—here's how long you can use them safely
Do condiments expire? Whether it’s the ketchup you only pull out for summer barbecues or some fancy dressing you used six months ago to make a dip for your friend’s party, there are bound to be a few half-used bottles of condiments cluttering up the shelves in your fridge. You might think it’s a good idea to keep them around to reduce your food waste, but a lot of condiments have a shorter shelf life than people realize.
Yes, condiments are going to last you a lot longer than a bag of chips or fresh fruit, but you should still pay attention to the use-by or sell-by date. In fact, it’s a good idea to optimize your fridge organization and pantry organization to clearly see the expiration dates on all your provisions. While nonperishable foodsare generally safe,make sure younever eat these foods past their expiration date!
Condiments are shelf-stable foods and can be stored unopened in the pantry for long periods of time. Optimal storage is in a dry, cool area below 85 degrees, or in the fridge (if the condiment should be refrigerated after being opened) with a temperature of 40 degrees or lower. The Food Marketing Institute recommends that you follow these storage guidelines and always read package labels before consuming the food.
Do condiments really expire?
Yes! Condiments do expire, so it’s important to keep an eye on your shelves full of sauces. Any food that’s too old can grow bacteria and lose or change its taste over time—even canned food doesn’t last forever.
The best-case scenario is that your old hot sauce tastes stale instead of spicy. The worst-case scenario is that you get serious food poisoning from some old mayo or cream-based dressing you forgot about for too long. Many condiments can last for months without refrigeration if they haven’t been opened. But once you open them, most sauces and salad dressings then need to be refrigerated, both for best flavor and for food safety. If you’re a foodie, check out these fun food facts!
How long do condiments last?
Barbecue sauce
- Unopened in pantry: 12 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 4 months
- In pantry after opening: 1 month
Ketchup, co*cktail or chili sauce
- Unopened in pantry: 12 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 6 months
- In pantry after opening: 1 month
Chutney
- Unopened in pantry: 12 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 1–2 months
Fish sauce
- Unopened in pantry: 1-plus year
- Refrigerated after opening: 1-plus year
- In pantry after opening: 3–6 months
Gochujang
- Refrigerated after opening: 2 years
Hoisin
- Unopened in pantry: 18–24 month
- Refrigerated after opening: 3–6 months
Horseradish in jar
- Unopened in pantry: 12 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 3–4 months
Hot sauce
- Unopened in pantry: 6 months
- Refrigerated after opening: up to 3 years, depending on perishable ingredients
Mayonnaise
- Unopened in pantry: 3–6 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 2 months
Psst! If you’ve got some mayo that’s about to expire soon, try out some of these home and beauty uses for mayonnaise. You might be surprised!
Mustard
- Unopened in pantry: 12 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 12 months
- In pantry after opening: 1 month
Olives (black and green)
- Unopened in pantry: 12–18 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 2 weeks
Oyster sauce
- Unopened in pantry: 18–24 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 3–6 months
Pickles
- Unopened in pantry: 12 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 1–2 weeks
Relish
- Unopened in pantry: 30 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 9 months
Salad dressings
- Unopened in pantry: 10–12 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 3 months
Salsa, picante and taco sauces
- Unopened in pantry: 12 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 1 month
Sauerkraut (pasteurized)
- Unopened in pantry: 3–6 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 5–7 days
- Unopened in pantry: 1 year
- Refrigerated after opening: 3 weeks
Tartar sauce
- Unopened in pantry: 12–18 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 6 months
- Unopened in pantry: 3 months
- Refrigerated after opening: 3–4 months
Not that you know condiments do expire, check your shelves for anything that’s out of date! And while you’re looking, store these foods that should never be kept in the pantry elsewhere.
Additional reporting by Morgan Cutolo.
Sources:
- Food Marketing Institute: “The Food Keeper: A Consumer Guide to Food Quality & Safe Handling“
- Does It Go Bad?: “Your Shelf Life & Food Storage Reference“
- FoodSafety.gov: “FoodKeeper App“
- Still Tasty: “Keep It or Toss It?“
- Pepper Scale: “Does Hot Sauce Go Bad?“
Certainly! I'm well-versed in food safety and storage guidelines, particularly when it comes to condiments. The information you've shared about the shelf life of various condiments aligns with my knowledge and expertise in this area.
Firstly, understanding the lifespan of condiments involves considering various factors such as their ingredients, storage conditions, and whether they are opened or unopened. For instance, acidic condiments like ketchup or vinegar-based sauces tend to have longer shelf lives due to their preservation properties. However, once opened, they become susceptible to bacterial growth and generally last shorter periods.
The guidance provided about optimal storage conditions aligns with food safety standards I'm familiar with. Storing condiments in a dry, cool place or refrigerating them after opening, especially those prone to spoilage, is crucial to maintaining their quality and safety. Moreover, adhering to expiration dates and guidelines from reputable sources like the Food Marketing Institute or FoodSafety.gov is imperative to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Regarding the specifics mentioned in the article:
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Barbecue sauce, ketchup, co*cktail or chili sauce, chutney: These items can last for about a year when unopened, but once opened, refrigeration extends their shelf life only to a few months.
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Fish sauce: It can last for an extended period, unopened, but after opening, refrigeration is necessary and it typically lasts for a few months.
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Hot sauce: Depending on its ingredients, hot sauce can last for varying durations, even up to three years if it contains preservatives. Refrigeration prolongs its shelf life once opened.
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Mayonnaise: Unopened mayonnaise has a shelf life of a few months, but after opening, refrigeration is crucial, extending its usability for about two months.
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Mustard: Like ketchup, mustard remains viable for about a year when unopened and about the same duration when opened if refrigerated.
Each condiment has its own unique characteristics, impacting its longevity and storage requirements. It's important to note that these guidelines are general and can vary based on factors like preservatives, packaging, and storage conditions.
The sources cited in the article, including the Food Marketing Institute, FoodSafety.gov, and Still Tasty, are reputable and provide reliable information on food storage and safety, aligning with my own understanding and expertise in this domain. If you're ever in doubt about the safety of a condiment, it's best to adhere to these guidelines or consult these sources for more specific information.
