ShelfLife
How long does mayonnaise last?
An unopened jar of store-bought mayonnaise keeps 3 to 6 months in the pantry. Once opened, keep it in the fridge and use it within 2 months. Homemade mayonnaise made with raw eggs keeps only a few days.
| Food | Fridge | Pantry |
|---|---|---|
| Store-bought mayonnaise | —Opened: 2 months | 3–6 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 mayonnaise has gone bad
- A sour, rancid or vinegary smell stronger than usual.
- A yellowish or brownish color, or any mold.
- Separation: an oily layer or watery liquid that doesn't mix back in.
- An opened jar that has been left out of the fridge for hours.
How to store mayonnaise
- Keep unopened jars in a cool, dark cupboard.
- Refrigerate mayonnaise as soon as it's opened, and close the lid tightly.
- Use a clean knife or spoon each time; crumbs and other food speed up spoilage.
- Refrigerate dishes made with mayonnaise, like potato or egg salad, within 2 hours, and eat them within 3 to 4 days.
- Keep homemade mayonnaise in the fridge and use it within a few days. Pasteurized eggs are the safer choice for it.
Can you freeze mayonnaise?
Not really: mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil and egg, and it separates into an oily, curdled mess when thawed. The same goes for creamy dressings and salads made with it. Buy smaller jars instead if you don't use much.
Questions
Does mayonnaise need to be refrigerated?
Once opened, yes. Commercial mayonnaise is acidic, but an open jar keeps its quality and safety much better in the fridge, for about 2 months.
How long can mayonnaise sit out?
No more than 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour above 32 °C (90 °F). That applies to sandwiches and salads made with it too.
Can you use mayonnaise after the best-by date?
An unopened jar is usually fine for a while after its best-by date if it was stored somewhere cool. Once opened, go by the 2 months in the fridge and check the smell and color.
Add mayonnaise to ShelfLife when you open the jar, and get a reminder before it's been in the fridge too long.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.