ShelfLife
How long does jam last?
An unopened jar of store-bought jam, jelly or preserves keeps 6 to 18 months in the pantry. Once opened, it keeps 6 to 12 months in the fridge. Low-sugar jams and homemade jam keep for less time.
| Food | Fridge | Pantry |
|---|---|---|
| Jam, jelly and preserves | —Opened: 6–12 months | 6–18 monthsfrom purchase |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if jam has gone bad
- Mold of any kind on the surface or under the lid. Throw out the whole jar: don't scrape the mold off and eat the rest, as the USDA advises for jams and jellies.
- A fermented, yeasty or alcoholic smell, or bubbles in the jam.
- A bulging lid or a jar that hisses when opened.
- Darkening, drying out or crystallized sugar change the texture but aren't signs of spoilage.
How to store jam
- Keep unopened jars in a cool, dark cupboard.
- Refrigerate jam once it's opened and close the lid tightly.
- Use a clean spoon each time: butter or crumbs in the jar bring in mold.
- Check the label: reduced-sugar jams and fruit spreads often say to use them within a few weeks of opening.
Can you freeze jam?
Yes. Freezer jam is made to be kept frozen, and regular jam also freezes well if you have too much: leave room at the top of the container, thaw it in the fridge, and stir if it has separated.
Questions
Does jam need to be refrigerated after opening?
Yes, for most jams. The sugar slows spoilage, but an open jar keeps its quality much longer in the fridge, 6 to 12 months, and low-sugar jams need the cold even more.
Can you scrape mold off jam?
No. The USDA advises throwing out moldy jam and jelly: some molds produce toxins, and the mold can reach below the surface.
How long does homemade jam last?
Properly canned in sterilized, sealed jars, homemade jam keeps for many months in a cool, dark place; follow your recipe's guidance. Once opened, keep it in the fridge and use it within a few weeks, because homemade jam usually has no preservatives.
Add jam to ShelfLife with the date you opened it, so the jars in the fridge door don't go forgotten.
Related foods
- Peanut butterPantry: 6–24 months
- HoneyPantry: 2 years
- BreadPantry: 14–18 days
- ButterFridge: 1–2 months
Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.