Refrigerator or pantry? When it comes to condiments, you might have questions
about where exactly they go. Pull out your butter keepers and honey dippers: we've got the answers.
As for condiments that do not need to be refrigerated, the household staple vinegar
is fine at room temperature. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
unopened vinegar can be stored in a pantry or cupboard for two years while opened vinegar can be
kept for one year. Many other sources, including The Vinegar Institute, argue that vinegar's shelf
life is indefinite. Since vinegar is so acidic, it inhibits the growth of mold and bacteria.
While it might change color or flavor over time, this will not make it unsafe to consume.
You might notice that some types of vinegar, such as balsamic or apple cider, are sold in dark glass
bottles. This is because light can cause these kinds of vinegar to deteriorate more quickly.
The shelf life of balsamic, for example, is only three to five years, as opposed to the endless
time frame of the plain white stuff. If your vinegar is stored in a clear bottle, you should
consider transferring it to a dark container if you plan on keeping it for a long time.
Since mustard has limited ingredients and is very acidic, it seems like a product
that doesn't need to be refrigerated. And that's because it doesn't, really. According to Yahoo,
you don't have to refrigerate mustard for safety reasons. However, you'll still want
to keep those bottles and jars in the fridge for the ideal taste experience. The McCormick company,
which sells French's mustard, notes that the flavor of Dijon or horseradish mustard
will fade if not chilled, while other types simply keep longer in the cold.
Mustard is made from ingredients that don't really spoil, like vinegar, mustard seed, and other
spices, so this condiment won't go bad like Ranch dressing does. While unrefrigerated mustard can
last for several months past the sell-by date, the flavor will start to change and the consistency
will become more watery over time. Dry, unpleasant mustard will probably go in the trash, so keeping
it in the fridge will guarantee it lasts as long as possible. If you want your mustard to
retain the sharp tangy taste we all know and love, store it with these extra precautions.
"Mr. Simpson, it’s a felony to lie to the FBI."
"We were sitting in Barney’s car eating packets of mustard. Are you happy?"
Much like vinegar, hot sauce is extremely acidic, meaning bacteria and mold have a
hard time growing in it. Given this fact, most hot sauces do not need to be refrigerated. There
are many different varieties of hot sauce, but most can last for several years after
opening before losing their flavor. Cholula hot sauce, for example, can be enjoyed for
up to six months after being opened while Louisiana Hot Sauce can last up to five years.
If you're unsure whether or not your hot sauce needs to be refrigerated,
check the ingredient list. If it contains vinegar, water,
and salt as its main ingredients, it doesn't need to be refrigerated. However, if your hot
sauce also consists of dairy products or fresh vegetables, it should be stored in the fridge.
Jelly and jam are some of the most popular condiments out there, responsible for creating
delicious toasts and the famous PB&J. While some types of jelly can be stored at room temperature,
most people prefer to keep their preserves in the fridge. And for good reason;
according to food safety specialist Nicole Richard, an open jar of jelly will develop
mold more quickly if left unrefrigerated. Keep in mind that these products can still
grow mold in the fridge, so you're best off using them within a reasonable time frame.
As with other items, most store-bought jams and jellies can be kept outside of the refrigerator as
long as the jars remain sealed. However, once you open the jar, it's best to stick it in the fridge.
Honey is known as one of the only food products that doesn't spoil. Honey stored in a sealed
container and kept away from sunlight can last indefinitely. Keeping your honey in
the refrigerator can actually be bad for it since the cool temperature thickens the consistency and
makes it impossible to squeeze out of the bottle until it warms up again. If you notice your honey
is starting to crystallize or has changed color, this doesn't necessarily mean it has gone off. You
can simply place the jar of honey in a pot of hot water for a few minutes to reverse the process.
The only reason you should discard honey is if it has clearly spoiled and shows a significant
color change or even visible mold. This should not happen with pure honey, as the bacteria that cause
food to go bad cannot survive in pure honey. However, some honey products may contain other
ingredients that can indeed spoil. Be sure to check the ingredient list and store the
container according to the manufacturer's instructions if it isn't pure honey.
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"Oh my. I thought only bees pour on the honey."
There are plenty of varieties of salad dressing, and most need to be kept in the refrigerator.
Many contain dairy for added creaminess and flavor. Ranch dressing, for example,
contains buttermilk, while Caesar dressing traditionally contains Parmesan cheese. The
U.S. Department of Agriculture lists dairy products as perishable foods that must be
refrigerated for safety reasons. Therefore, if salad dressing contains any dairy product,
including milk, yogurt, or cheese, it needs to be in the fridge.
The USDA lumps salad dressing with mayonnaise among the products that
need to be refrigerated after opening, regardless of the specific brand or type. Like mayonnaise,
you can find some dairy-based salad dressings sold as shelf-stable products
in the grocery store. Similarly, these need to be refrigerated after opening.
Even if your salad dressing doesn't contain dairy,
it probably still belongs in the refrigerator. Many salad dressings contain other perishable
ingredients such as fruit and citrus that can go bad more quickly when left unrefrigerated. Unless
your salad dressing only consists of vinegar and olive oil, it's best to stick it in the fridge.
Like honey, olive oil is another condiment that really should be kept out of the fridge for
optimal results. Storing olive oil in the fridge can cause it to solidify and form crystals. While
this can be reversed by bringing the oil back up to room temperature, it will add extra steps to
your cooking process and won't give you the best oil experience. If you're looking to prolong the
shelf life of your olive oil, the best way to do so is by storing it in a cool dark place.
Another way to make sure your olive oil lasts as long as possible is by investing in a dark
glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Light and oxygen are two of the main factors that
cause olive oil to go bad, so storing it in a sealed container will help it last longer. Also,
be sure to avoid vessels made from reactive metals such as copper or iron,
as these can produce toxins that make your oil unhealthy to consume.
Mayonnaise is made from an emulsion of eggs, oil, and vinegar. When you purchase mayo at
the grocery store it is not refrigerated, so you may wonder if it's necessary to put your jar in
the fridge when you get home. According to Amy C. Keating, a registered dietitian and nutritionist,
this condiment is shelf-stable after being packaged in sterile airtight containers. That
being said, the sterile environment disappears once you open the jar.
"Freeze, sucker. Put down the mayonnaise. Slowly."
Although the acid in mayonnaise makes it more difficult for bacteria to grow,
this condiment can still go bad when left outside of the fridge. Keeping it cool in
the refrigerator slows down bacterial growth and reduces the risk of catching a bug after
making a sandwich. So while you can keep your mayonnaise in the pantry after purchasing it
from the grocery store, make sure to stick it in the fridge immediately after you open it.
Whereas spare soy sauce packets from old takeout orders probably sit in a drawer in your kitchen,
your bottle of soy sauce might be in the fridge. So where does this
condiment really belong? While you're free to keep it chilled if you want,
soy sauce can safely be stored in your pantry. Because this condiment is made through a
fermentation process, it is able to be left at room temperature for a year without spoiling.
However, it's important to note that soy sauce will change color and flavor over time,
especially when exposed to oxygen and sunlight. If you notice your soy sauce has started to turn
brown or tastes different than usual, it's probably time to toss it. Other signs of
spoiled soy sauce include white floaties, an odd smell, or a difference in texture. If you're not
going to refrigerate your soy sauce, keep it in a cool dark cabinet for the best results.
There has been a long debate about where to keep ketchup. Most people
seem to prefer to keep it refrigerated, and Heinz, the leading manufacturer of ketchup,
recommends refrigerating it after opening for the best results. Other people, however,
prefer to keep ketchup in the pantry, as do many restaurants that leave it out all
day and night. Given the high-acid ingredients it contains, ketchup is actually shelf-stable.
Of course, many people still recommend that you keep your ketchup in the fridge. Like mustard,
this condiment can dry out and separate more quickly when left on the counter.
While you probably won't get sick, it can negatively affect the flavor and texture of
the product. Today leaves it up to personal preference; if you like room-temperature
ketchup then keep it on the counter, and if you like it cold then keep it in the
fridge. Just be sure to use it up as quickly as possible if you're not refrigerating it.
Since nuts can go rancid over time, it's not crazy to store your peanut butter in
the refrigerator. This product, however, does not need to be refrigerated. Ideally,
peanut butter should be stored in a cool, dark place in an airtight container though. Again,
light and oxygen are two of the main factors that cause peanut butter to go bad,
so storing it in a sealed vessel will help it last longer. Keep in mind that homemade
and natural peanut butter should ideally be kept cool since both are made without preservatives.
According to the National Peanut Board, a jar of peanut butter that has not yet been opened
can last for six to nine months in the pantry. Meanwhile, an open jar of peanut butter will
last about two to three months before it begins to deteriorate in quality. One perk
of refrigerating your peanut butter is that it can last longer. But the downside to chilling
this condiment is that it becomes firm and harder to spread until it warms up again.
If you're used to storing your butter in the refrigerator, you were probably shocked the first
time you saw someone storing it on the counter. Most dairy products need to be refrigerated,
after all. Butter, however, is the exception. According to the USDA,
butter and margarine are safe to consume at room temperature. The department does recommend using
it within two days though because the flavor can go rancid when it's left out any longer than that.
According to Healthline, the safest kind of butter to leave on the counter is salted
butter because salt can ward away bacteria growth. Since light can cause butter to go
rancid more quickly, be sure to invest in a butter tray with a lid to protect
it from oxygen and light. You'll also want to keep it away from the stove in the coolest,
darkest part of your kitchen for the best results. If you can't create these optimal
conditions or won't use up the butter in two days, it's best to keep it in the fridge for
safety. You can always pull out a stick of butter and warm it up on the counter when you need it.
Most people probably don't think twice about where they store maple syrup. However, you should know
that unrefrigerated maple syrup will spoil much more quickly than if it's kept in the fridge. Pure
maple syrup does not contain any preservatives, so it needs to be refrigerated after opening in
order to prevent mold and bacteria from growing. Keeping it cool can also reduce the likelihood
that some of the moisture in the container will evaporate and turn the syrup into crystals.
"I love syrup. Ohhhh I love it."
Table syrup, or the fake stuff made from sugar, water, and other flavors,
may contain enough preservatives to safely stay outside of the fridge,
but you should always follow the manufacturer's guidelines on the back of the bottle to be
safe. Given that some brands recommend refrigerating it and others indicate
it's safe to keep in the pantry, you're best off approaching each product individually.