Do You Have to Refrigerate Opened Bottles of Mustard and Ketchup?
Key Points
- Technically speaking, you don’t have to store opened bottles of ketchup and mustard in the refrigerator
- An opened bottle of ketchup should stay at peak quality for about 9 to 12 months in the fridge; mustard for at least a year
- And both will remain safe to consume for much longer than that, as long as they've been continuously refrigerated
Overview
Technically speaking, you don’t have to store opened bottles of ketchup and mustard in the refrigerator. But it’s a good idea all the same, since they will last much longer if you do, as condiment manufacturers like French's point out. Due to their high acid content, opened bottles of mustard and ketchup will keep fine for about a month in the pantry. But after that, their flavor, appearance and texture will begin to break down and deteriorate much more quickly at normal room temperatures than in the cooler 40° F storage conditions of the refrigerator. An opened bottle of ketchup should stay at peak quality for about 9 to 12 months in the fridge; mustard for at least a year. And both will remain safe to consume for much longer than that, as long as they've been continuously refrigerated.Long-Lasting Produce Stock up and enjoy Your Questions Answered Steak that's changed color
Key Points
- Technically speaking, you don’t have to store opened bottles of ketchup and mustard in the refrigerator
- An opened bottle of ketchup should stay at peak quality for about 9 to 12 months in the fridge; mustard for at least a year
- And both will remain safe to consume for much longer than that, as long as they've been continuously refrigerated
Related Foods
This information applies to: beef, chicken, cranberry, eggs, ground beef, hamburger, ketchup, mustard, pie, potatoes, salad, shrimp, steak, stuffing, turkey
Tags
cooking expiration freezing leftovers refrigeration safety storage thawing