ShelfLife
How long does salad dressing last?
Unopened bottled salad dressing keeps 6 to 12 months in the pantry. Once opened, keep it in the fridge: creamy dressings like ranch keep 3 to 4 weeks, vinaigrettes about 4 weeks, and other bottled dressings 1 to 3 months. Homemade vinaigrette keeps 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge.
| Food | Fridge | Pantry |
|---|---|---|
| Bottled salad dressing | —Opened: 1–3 months | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Creamy dressing (ranch, Caesar) | —Opened: 3–4 weeks | 6 monthsfrom purchase |
| Bottled vinaigrette | —Opened: 4 weeks | 6 monthsfrom purchase |
| Homemade vinaigrette | 2–3 weeks | — |
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 salad dressing has gone bad
- A sour, rancid or off smell.
- Mold, or a change of color or texture in creamy dressings.
- Separation in a vinaigrette is normal: shake it. A creamy dressing that has separated and won't mix back is past its best.
How to store salad dressing
- Keep unopened bottles in a cool, dark cupboard, unless the label says to refrigerate.
- Refrigerate dressing once opened and close the cap tightly.
- Write the opening date on the bottle: dressings tend to linger in the fridge door.
- Keep homemade dressings in a sealed jar in the fridge; a vinaigrette with fresh garlic or herbs keeps for less time.
Can you freeze salad dressing?
Not really. Creamy and mayonnaise-based dressings separate when thawed, and oil-based ones solidify and lose their texture. Make or buy smaller amounts instead.
Questions
Does salad dressing need to be refrigerated?
Once opened, yes, unless the label says otherwise. Unopened shelf-stable bottles can stay in the pantry.
Can you use salad dressing after the date?
An unopened bottle may be fine a little past its date if it looks and smells normal. Once opened, go by the times above.
Why does olive oil vinaigrette go solid in the fridge?
Olive oil thickens in the cold. Let the jar stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes and shake it before use.
Add dressings and sauces to ShelfLife with the date you opened them.
Related foods
Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.