Everyone knows that condiments have expiration dates, but there is often confusion about whether mustard, ketchup, vinegar, and other sauces should be stored in the refrigerator or left at room temperature in the pantry. The answer varies depending on the condiment, so we turned to Argyris K. Magoulas at the Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education in the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service department for advice.
The USDA offers recommendations for storing all kinds of food and beverages, including condiments. It's important to note that these guidelines strictly apply to store-bought, commercial products—not homemade, which spoil much more quickly, says Magoulas.
As food lovers, we want our condiments to taste as fresh as possible. Here's how and where to store everything from mustard and mayo to ketchup and fish sauce.
According to a recent study, mayo is the most-used condiment in the U.S.—beating out ketchup—so you likely have at least one jar at home. You probably know that unopened mayonnaise does not need to be refrigerated (after all, it's not refrigerated when you buy it at the store). At home, unopened mayonnaise can be stored in the pantry for three to six months. Once you've opened a jar, you should always keep it in the fridge, and for no longer than two months, says Magoulas.
Ketchup
The number-two most popular condiment and an essential for fries, burgers, and so much more, ketchup that hasn't been opened can be stored in the pantry for one year. Opened, you'll want to keep ketchup in the fridge for up to six months.
Mustard
Unopened, mustard can be stored for one to two years in the pantry. Once you have opened it, store your mustard in the fridge where it will last for up to one year. That gives you plenty of time to spread it on sandwiches, serve with meat, add to a favorite vinaigrette dressing, and more.
Hot Sauce
You likely reach for your hot sauce for everything from red beans and rice to wings, so we're guessing you use it fast. Many hot sauces are vinegar based and have a long shelf life, lasting unopened for two to three years. Once opened, most hot sauces should be stored in the fridge and used within a year. (It will usually state on the packaging if the hot sauce needs to be refrigerated or not.)
Soy Sauce
Unopened, soy sauce may be stored for up to three years in the pantry. After it's been opened, store your soy sauce in the refrigerator, and plan to replace it after one month says Magoulas.
If it hasn't been opened, your favorite jar of barbecue sauce can be stored in the pantry for up to one year. After it has been opened, it should be stored for up to four months in the refrigerator—but we assume you'll use it up much faster than that.
Chili Sauce
Similar to ketchup when it comes to safe storage, chili sauce that hasn't been opened can be stored in the pantry for one year. After opening you should keep it in the refrigerator for up to six months, according to the USDA.
Jarred Horseradish
Unopened, you can store jarred horseradish in the fridge for up to one year. Once it's been opened, you should keep it in the refrigerator for just three to four months.
Vinegar
Vinegar has a long, stable shelf life and is a condiment that does not require refrigeration. Whether it's unopened or opened, you can store vinegar in the pantry for two years.
Worcestershire Sauce
Like vinegar, Worcestershire sauce does not need to be refrigerated. Whether unopened or open it can be stored in the pantry for two years.
Fish Sauce
This umami-packed condiment is like Worcestershire sauce in that it does not require refrigeration. In fact, storing it in the refrigerator will cause salt crystals to form over time. Fish sauce can be stored unopened or opened in the pantry for two to three years.
Condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and pickles should be stored in the refrigerator for quality. These products, once opened, will maintain quality better if stored in the refrigerator and that is the primary reason that package instructions indicate refrigerate after opening.
You can store most shelf-stable condiments safely at room temperature, even after you open them. Brands tell you to refrigerate their products because they stay fresh longer that way. Still, every food eventually expires, so check the expiration date on the package.
The fridge is the best place to store sauces. Store your leftover homemade sauce in the fridge and use within a couple of days or freeze. For leftover shop-bought sauces it's best to follow the storage guidance on the jar. If you have leftover sauce, seal the lid and store the jar in the fridge.
They can be stored in the pantry for up to one year if unopened. If opened, they can last up to six months in the refrigerator. Unopened mustard can be stored in the pantry for up to two years; and up to one year in the refrigerator after being opened.
Keep unopened mayo in a cool, dry place, such as the pantry or cabinet.Refrigerate after opening. After opening, always refrigerate mayonnaise in order to maintain freshness, flavor, and texture, and food safety measures or protocol. Watch cross-contamination.
Mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, mayo, bottled water, soda, juice all do best in the fridge doors. Why? The doors are the warmest area of the fridge and should be reserved for foods that are most resistant to spoiling.
Don't let any space go to waste! Store condiments, spices and other small items in a rack on the back of the door. You'll be surprised at just how many items can fit.
I typically transfer the leftover sauce to an airtight container (a glass jar with a lid is ideal) within 2 hours of cooking or opening the jar. This minimizes air exposure, which can accelerate spoilage. As a general rule of thumb, leftover sauce stored correctly will typically last for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
“Many restaurants and fast food places don't refrigerate their ketchup,” responded another Twitter user. “It's because they go through it so quickly that it doesn't have time to spoil. However, they usually store their ketchup in a cool, dry place to keep it from going bad or spoiling.”
Some condiments such as wine, mustard, soy sauce, vinegar... do not require too low a temperature to preserve. Therefore, you can put them in the bottom compartment of the refrigerator or even leave them outside if the ambient temperature is below 20 degrees Celsius they will not spoil.
Mustard. No matter the kind of mustard (Dijon, yellow, or whole grain), best practice is to store it in fridge. Refrigerated mustard will last up to a year after opening in the fridge, according to the USDA. Now dried mustard powder is another story—it can be stored in the pantry with all your other spices.
After opening condiments, you can refrigerate them for the following times: ketchup, co*cktail or chili sauce 6 months.chutney, 1 to 2 months.horseradish, 3 to 4 months.
Food safety: a sauce will last a few days in the fridge, it will last weeks and months in the freezer or in a jar. Time to prepare: having your sauce in the freezer means being prepared in advance to use your sauce, and defrosting the night before, in the fridge or a jar you can just open and use it.
Refrigeration will maintain the best product quality after opening.” Who knows ketchup better than Heinz? Unless you're a ketchup fiend and plan to use a whole bottle within a matter of days, we too recommend storing ketchup in the fridge.
Oil-based condiments (mayo, oil, avocado/guac) should be on the top bun. Sweet or sour condiments (mustard) should be on the bottom. If using oil or other liquid dressing, it should go on top of the other condiments.
Introduction: My name is Patricia Veum II, I am a vast, combative, smiling, famous, inexpensive, zealous, sparkling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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