Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (2024)

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Updated on November 8, 2022

Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (1)

ICYMI, the Internet was recently abuzz in a great ketchup debate: whether the red stuff you slather on everything from burgers to fries should be refrigerated. The answer doesn't seem to be totally straightforward: acidity, salt and sugar (all of which ketchup has) tend to keep things safe on the shelf, although salt reductions in ketchup recently mean you might want to refrigerate it. But luckily, how to store other condiments is much less confusing. Here are five you can keep in the cupboard, and four more you must move to your refrigerator. Find out why each one should be stored properly below.

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Ketchup

Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (2)

This one can go either way, but according to the bottle you're supposed to keep it refrigerated after opening.

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Salad Dressing

Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (3)

It may be obvious to store creamy ranch dressing on your refrigerator's shelf, but oily dressings such as Italian or a vinaigrette should be kept cold after opening too. That's because their key ingredients—think things such as shallots and citrus juice—will go rancid without refrigeration.

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Honey

Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (4)

Not only is this sweet syrup totally safe to eat straight from the pantry, but you could be making it difficult to use if you put it in the refrigerator. As it cools, honey thickens—and it quickly becomes all-but-impossible to squirt out until it returns to room temperature once more.

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Butter

Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (5)

Even though butter is technically a dairy product and we can all agree dairy should definitely be kept cold, the FDA makes an exception for butter. Why? Unlike its milk and cream relatives, butter is not a Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food, which means it can be eaten and stored safely at room temperature.

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Mayonnaise

Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (6)

You may buy mayonnaise off a non-refrigerated shelf, but the second you pop the top, you must put it in the refrigerator. In fact, the USDA recommends opened mayo be tossed in the trash if its temperature reaches 50 degrees or higher for more than eight hours.

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Dijon Mustard

Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (7)

You (probably) paid a pretty penny for the special spicy punch of Dijon mustard—and if you don't put it in the refrigerator, you could, as mustard giant French’s says, ruin its flavor profile. So while Dijon mustard won't necessary spoil at room temperature, you'll get more bang for your buck by keeping it in the fridge after it's opened.

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Hot Sauce

Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (8)

This pantry staple can stay put. There's little risk in not refrigerating hot sauce even after its opened, thanks to two key ingredients, vinegar and salt, which act as preservatives for up to eight weeks after its opened. But if you want to extend its shelf life, you can keep hot sauce in the refrigerator for up to six months.

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Peanut Butter

Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (9)

With the exception of natural peanut butters, this nutty spread can be safely kept in your cupboard for up to three months after its opened. But beware: because peanut butter has few preservatives, it can easily degrade. One easy way to keep it in tip-top shape is to use a clean utensil every time you scoop from the jar.

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Soy Sauce

Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (10)

If you're reading Kikkoman's on-the-bottle instructions, it's best to move this salty product to your refrigerator once it’s opened. There, it can remain in its cool condition for a good 2 years—even though we know you'll use it faster than that.

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Olive Oil

Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (11)

This go-to cooking ingredient—and lovely complement to nuts, breads, and even desserts—last the exact same amount of time whether you keep it in your cupboard or in your refrigerator. (For the record, it’s about 12 months.) So we say keep it in a cool, dark place; it tastes better at room temperature anyway.

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Which Condiments Need to Be Refrigerated? (2024)

FAQs

What condiments need to be in the fridge? ›

Keep it in the fridge

Certain ingredients always require refrigeration. One no-brainer is dairy, so cream- or yogurt-based sauces must go in the fridge. Mayonnaise, made from eggs, needs to go in, too.

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Do ketchup and mustard need to be refrigerated? ›

The guidelines at FoodSafety.gov state that shelf-stable products like mustard, mayo, barbecue sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce and salsa will benefit from being stored in the fridge. "Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time."

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Do mayo and mustard have to be refrigerated? ›

Unopened jars of mayo as well as salad dressings can be stored on pantry shelves. However, it's important that once opened you keep them refrigerated, and the USDA recommends using them within 2 months after opening.

Does mustard go bad if not refrigerated? ›

“Because of its antibacterial properties and acidity, mustard does not require refrigeration for safety; it will not grow mold, mildew, or harmful bacteria.

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Does butter need to be refrigerated? ›

Should You Leave Butter on the Counter? According to the USDA, butter is safe at room temperature. But if it's left out for several days at room temperature, it can turn rancid causing off flavors. The USDA does not recommend leaving it out more than one to two days.

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Do oil and vinegar need to be refrigerated? ›

While oils and vinegars don't need to be refrigerated on their own, once you add in ingredients like fresh-squeezed citrus juice, mustard and garlic to make a homemade vinaigrette, it's a good idea to pop any leftovers in the refrigerator.

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Should peanut butter be refrigerated? ›

According to The National Peanut Board, an unopened jar of peanut butter can last six to nine months at room temperature. Once opened, they say that it can last two to three months in the pantry before you should move it to the fridge, where it can maintain quality for another three to four months.

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Does mayonnaise have to be refrigerated after opening? ›

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.

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Does Worcestershire sauce need to be refrigerated? ›

Like vinegar, Worcestershire sauce does not need to be refrigerated. Whether unopened or open it can be stored in the pantry for two years.

Do pickles need to be refrigerated? ›

Should pickles be refrigerated? Open jars of pickled food should always be refrigerated—unless you have a root cellar or other storage space that stays a constant 34° to 40°F. Even some unopened jars should be stored in the refrigerator.

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Do eggs need to be refrigerated? ›

Temperature fluctuation is critical to safety. With the concern about Salmonella, eggs gathered from laying hens should be refrigerated as soon as possible. After eggs are refrigerated, they need to stay that way. A cold egg left out at room temperature can sweat, facilitating the growth of bacteria.

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Does cheese need to be refrigerated? ›

Soft cheeses such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, shredded cheeses, and goat cheese must be refrigerated for safety. As a general rule, hard cheeses such as cheddar, processed cheeses (American), and both block and grated Parmesan do not require refrigeration for safety, but they will last longer if kept refrigerated.