ShelfLife
How long does ketchup last?
An unopened bottle of ketchup keeps about 1 year in the pantry. Once opened, it keeps about 6 months in the fridge. The same goes for cocktail sauce and chili sauce.
| Food | Fridge | Pantry |
|---|---|---|
| Ketchup, cocktail or chili sauce | —Opened: 6 months | 1 yearfrom 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 ketchup has gone bad
- Mold, often around the cap or the neck of the bottle.
- A sour, fermented or alcoholic smell, or a bottle that hisses or bulges.
- A much darker, brownish color all the way through. A darker layer at the top is just oxidation.
- Watery liquid on top is normal separation: shake the bottle.
How to store ketchup
- Keep unopened bottles in a cool, dark cupboard.
- Once opened, the fridge is best: ketchup is acidic, but cold keeps its flavor and color for 6 months.
- Wipe the cap and neck clean before closing it, so residue doesn't grow mold.
- Restaurant-style bottles on the table get used up fast; at home, a bottle can last for months, so the fridge matters.
Can you freeze ketchup?
You can, but there's little reason to: it keeps for months in the fridge. If you have a lot, freeze it in ice cube trays for cooking. The texture turns a little watery when thawed; stir it well.
Questions
Does ketchup need to be refrigerated after opening?
Manufacturers recommend it. Ketchup's acidity keeps it from spoiling quickly, but an open bottle loses flavor and color faster in the pantry; in the fridge it keeps about 6 months.
Can you use ketchup after the best-by date?
Usually yes, if it's unopened or has been refrigerated and shows no mold, odd smell or bulging. The date is about quality.
How long do ketchup packets last?
Single-serve packets aren't refrigerated and keep their quality for several months. Throw out any that are swollen, leaking or discolored.
Add sauces and condiments to ShelfLife with the date you opened them, so the back of the fridge door never surprises you.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.