13 Condiments You Should Never Eat After They Expire

Posted in Food Safety,Our Blog on November 12, 2024

Did you know there are 13 condiments you should never eat after they expire? I didn’t either but let’s dig in and find out what they are and why.

We have all done that deep clean of our refrigerator and found something that was well past its expiration date and if you haven’t done that let me just say I am proud of you and you are winning this adult thing, but anyway I may or may not have found those dinosaur era condiments tucked away in the back long forgotten about. Not quite a science experiment but pretty close.

Here is a good place to begin before you throw:

If you find yourself in a condiment conundrum, and you’re deciding what to toss and what to keep, there are a few general rules to be mindful of, says nutritionist Mary Sabat, MS, RDN, LD.

First things first: Is the bottle opened? Unopened condiments are generally going to have a longer shelf life compared to open ones since they haven’t been exposed to potential contaminants that can speed up bacteria growth, Sabat says.

“Once a bottle is opened, the shelf life can be significantly reduced due to increased exposure to bacteria,” Sabat says.

Proper storage is also a biggie. Many condiments need to be stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat, while refrigeration is necessary for things like mayo and creamy salad dressings that will otherwise spoil.

Expiration dates printed on the condiment bottles are really meant to tell you when the product is at its peak quality, Sabat says. Expired sauces, spreads, and dressings will likely lose their flavor over time, and, worst-case scenario, could make you sick.

So here is the list of the 13 we shouldn’t keep past the expiration date:

Mayo- Toss it after 2 months of being opened. Also toss is if it’s been sitting outside in the sun at a BBQ.

Mayo Based Dips- From garlic aioli to remoulade and tartar sauces, there are all kinds of dipping sauces and spreads that contain mayo.

Horseradish- “As soon as the jar of horseradish is exposed to air, that sharp, spicy flavor begins to fade,” says Jared Kent, a sous chef at Good Roots in Akron, Ohio. By the time it reaches the expiration date, it’s better to opt for a fresh jar and get the whole experience, he says.

Sour Cream- Sour cream can spoil quicker than other dairy products, and the USDA says it can be kept in the fridge for one to three weeks. But if you start to see it separate and a pool of liquid build on the top, consider that your warning sign that you should use it up in the next couple of days, according to Eat By Date.

Chutney- While you can keep chutney in your pantry for a year after buying it, you’ll want to move it to the fridge as soon as you break the seal on this savory Indian condiment that’s made from fruits or veggies with vinegar, sugar and spices. Once it moves to the fridge, you’ve got a month or two to polish it off.

BBQ Sauce- Don’t sauce it, toss it if you’re noticing anything that’s off about your jar of barbecue sauce, like fuzzy mold, a change in texture or a funky smell. While most store-bought barbecue sauces have lots of preservatives in them, you’ve got about four months to use up an opened bottle of the good stuff, according to FoodSafety.gov.

Ranch- If it loses its normal consistency it has to go!

Blue Cheese- Blue cheese dressing is made with blue cheese crumbles, mayonnaise, sour cream, and other dairy products, Randhawa says, and it’s another one of those creamy dressings that can spoil after its expiration date. Because there are so many dairy products in blue cheese, it can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, and potentially cause food poisoning, she says. “And the potent smell of the cheese can mask any off odors,” she says.

Cesar Dressing- Caesar dressing often contains raw egg yolks, olive oil, and cheese, which can all become problematic if consumed past their expiration dates, Randhawa says. The raw egg yolks, though, are of particular concern because they can be a source of Salmonella.

Thousand Island Dressing- If it smells abnormal it’s time to go. Other indicators that it’s time to toss the jar of Thousand Island is if you notice changes in the color or texture, Randhawa says. Thousand Island has a creamy mayo base and can spoil and potentially cause foodborne illness, she says.

Soy Sauce- Although soy sauce has a long shelf life, it can still expire, says Nina Engle of Ping Pong Thai in Las Vegas. In fact, FoodSafety.gov says soy sauce can hang out in your pantry for three years, but once you open it, you need to move it to the fridge and it’s only good for about a month.

Mustard- Totally fine if you use the same bottle of mustard throughout the entire barbecue season. Mustard has some stamina. It’s good for a year after you open it so long as you keep it in the fridge, according to FoodSafety.gov. Quality, not safety, is the reason your mustard bottle says to pop it in the fridge after opening. If your mustard is expired, it will have a rancid taste.

Ketchup- Much like the many other condiments it can go sour. Unlike its friend mustard ketchup has a fridge life of about 6 months, but at our house it never lasts that long.

For other food safety tips please keep an eye on Make Food Safe.