Stop Making This Dangerous Mistake With Your Open Condiments

I know I’m not the only one who has rifled through a seemingly endless supply of condiments in my refrigerator and started to wonder, How long has this bottle been in here? Didn’t I buy that for a recipe I made two years ago? 

Though it seems like store-bought condiments can be stored in the fridge for an infinite amount of time, the truth is, once that seal has been broken, the clock starts ticking. 

In some cases, eating a condiment that's past its expiration date means it lacks the flavor and potency it had immediately after opening. But at worst? There's a risk of food poisoning.

4 Key Signs of Condiment Spoilage

To help prevent a fridge full of expired condiments, set a monthly reminder to check all the jars and bottles. You should toss any that have:

• Discoloration
• Changes in texture
• A weird smell
• An off-taste
  

The Most Dangerous Expired Condiments 

1. Homemade Condiments

Though you can’t beat the flavor of homemade mayo, aioli, or pesto, the main thing to keep in mind is that homemade condiments lack the preservatives that give store-bought versions a longer shelf life. "Homemade products have a shorter shelf life [...] than store-bought products because commercial products have additional ingredients that reduce the acidity of the product (preventing microbial growth) and to extend the shelf life overall," says Ellen Shumaker, Ph.D., director of outreach for the Safe Plates program at NC State University. Homemade condiments should be eaten within three days.

2. Mayonnaise

Because store-bought mayo is made with pasteurized eggs and contains other shelf-stable ingredients, once opened, it will last for up to two months when stored properly in the refrigerator. 

That being said, opened mayo should not be left out for more than two hours at room temperature. (The same goes for items made with mayonnaise, such as potato salad.) If you forget to put the mayo back in the fridge after making a midnight BLT, your best bet is to throw it away and buy a replacement.

3. Salad Dressings

Open bottles of cream-based salad dressings, such as ranch, Caesar, or blue cheese dressing, can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to two months. 

Oil-based salad dressings can be stored for up to three months. Like other condiments made from scratch, homemade salad dressings are best used within a few days of being made.

4. Brined Fruit & Vegetables

Opened jars of brined vegetables, such as pickles, capers, and olives, can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to a year or more. However, the key here is that the pickled vegetables need to remain submerged in the brine. If this is not the case, and the pickles have a weird odor, discoloration, or look fuzzy, discard them immediately.

How To Make Condiments Last Longer

• Refrigerate condiments after opening. Though some items, such as highly acidic Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce, can be safely stored at room temperature after opening, store all opened condiments in the fridge to maintain the best flavor for as long as possible.
• Don't store condiments in the refrigerator door. Due to the constant opening and closing of the fridge door, items stored there experience the widest range of temperatures. Your best bet for safe long-term storage is to store condiments where it's coldest, at the back of the fridge.
• Avoid cross-contamination. Use separate utensils for each condiment. This prevents the transfer of flavors from one bottle or jar to another, and it also helps to prevent the transfer of bacteria or other pathogens. 
• When in doubt, throw it out. If the expiration date is no longer visible, or you can’t remember how long it has been since you opened that jar of pickles, your best bet is to pitch it.