Lifestyle

8 Condiments You Should Throw Out of Your Fridge Right Now (PHOTOS)

LifestylePublished Jul 25, 2014
By Adriana Velez
condiments

Got any ancient condiments lurking in your refrigerator? I do. Whenever I buy that fancy French mayonnaise, we seem to use all the stuff within a few days. But I also keep a bottle of "guest" ketchup because, while my son and I hate the stuff, most every other kid we ever have over for lunch loves it. I don't know how old our guest ketchup is -- three years? Meanwhile, I know I made that grape jam back in September. There's no mold on it, but is it still good?

Unlike other foods, condiments aren't usually going to give off obvious signs that they need to be thrown out. Many are made to last a long time. But how long do open bottles and jars of them last in the refrigerator? Here are 8 condiments you should throw out of your fridge right now.

condiments like ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise

More from The Stir: 9 Things in Your Fridge You Should Throw Out Now

Images © iStock/jcarino; © iStock/EuToch

1/10
Ketchup-placeholder
Ketchup
iStock/Floortje

Ketchup

Consumer Reports says ketchup, cocktail sauce, and chili sauce are good for 6 months. But Eat By Date says an opened bottle of ketchup will last about a year past its date in the refrigerator.

2/10
Mustard-placeholder
Mustard
iStock/Lee Rogers

Mustard

Consumer Reports and Eat by Date agree that mustard is good for a year.

By the way, if you notice your mustard separarating after just a few weeks, you don't have to throw it out. Just stir it back together.

3/10
Mayonnaise-placeholder
Mayonnaise
iStock/Lee Rogers

Mayonnaise

An opened bottle of mayonnaise lasts a month in the refrigerator, Eat By Date says. But Consumer Reports says you have up to two months.

4/10
Jams and Jellies-placeholder
Jams and Jellies
iStock/RonBailey

Jams and Jellies

Your jams and jellies are good for a mere 6 months, Consumer Reports says. But Eat By Date says it depends on what kind. Strawberry, blackberry, peach, and apricot jams are good for 6 months. Homemade jam lasts 6 months to a year. Sugar-free jams can last up to 9 months. Grape jelly and marmalade can last a year. And apple butter, pumpkin butter, and lemon curd last just a couple months.

5/10
Butter-placeholder
Butter
iStock/Floortje

Butter

Butter lasts a month in the refrigerator if it's still in the package, two weeks if it's opened, according to Eat By Date. By the way, I keep a stick of butter in a covered dish on my counter at room temperature because I hate using cold butter. It's never gone rancid on me because we go through it so quickly, about a stick a week.

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Pickles and Olives-placeholder
Pickles and Olives
iStock/tarasov_vl

Pickles and Olives

An open bottle of pickles or olives is good for a couple weeks, according to Consumer Reports. Eat By Date says opened pickles will last a year or two and olives will last three or four months.

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Barbecue Sauce-placeholder
Barbecue Sauce
iStock/Lauri Patterson

Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce does not winter over in the refrigerator, according to Consumer Reports. They give it four months. But Eat By Date gives BBQ sauce a year. Worcester sauce, on the other hand, is good for a year. Eat By Date gives it three to four years in the refrigerator. (Doesn't everyone have a bottle that's at least a decade old?)

8/10
Soy Sauce-placeholder
Soy Sauce
iStock/Devonyu

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is good in the refrigerator for a couple years after you open it. Eat By Date says you can keep it in a cool, dark pantry intead. That's how I store mine.

9/10
Honey-placeholder
Honey
iStock/Kasiam

Honey

Honey will last forever -- it never spoils! You don't even have to refrigerate it. Maple syrup will keep in the refrigerator for a year. If it grows mold, boil and skim off the mold and it should be fine.

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A Helpful Chart-placeholder
A Helpful Chart
Dr. Foo

A Helpful Chart

This is just a funny chart someone made of condiments and their shelf lives. Don't take it too seriously -- it's more of a joke. But to get a closer look, check out The Information Page.

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