How long do olives last?

Unopened jars or cans of olives keep 12 to 18 months in the pantry. Once opened, keep them in their brine in the fridge and eat them within about 2 weeks. Olives from an olive bar keep about 2 weeks in the fridge.

Food	Fridge	Freezer	Pantry
Olives in jars or cans	—Opened: 2 weeks	—	12–18 monthsfrom purchase
Olives from an olive bar	2 weeksfrom purchase	Not recommended	—

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 olives have gone bad

Mold on the olives or the brine surface. A thin white film on brine can be harmless yeast, but if in doubt, throw them out.
Soft, mushy olives, or a sour, rotten or yeasty smell.
A bulging lid or cloudy, foamy brine in a jar that was clear.

How to store olives

Keep unopened jars and cans in a cool, dark cupboard.
Once opened, refrigerate them and keep them covered with their brine. Move olives from a can to a glass container.
Use a clean spoon, not fingers.

Can you freeze olives?

You can, drained, in a sealed bag, but they turn softer and the flavor fades. They're better kept in brine in the fridge.

Questions