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Condiments & Sauces Shelf Life Guide

Sauces, dressings, oils, and spreads — 60 products covered

Condiments and sauces vary enormously in shelf life — from vinegar that lasts almost indefinitely to fresh guacamole that lasts only 1-2 days. Many condiments contain preservatives like vinegar, salt, or sugar that extend their shelf life, but once opened, most should be refrigerated. This guide covers shelf life data for over 60 sauces, dressings, oils, and spreads based on USDA and manufacturer guidelines.

Condiments & Sauces Shelf Life at a Glance

Product	Unopened	Opened	Refrigerated	Frozen	Risk
Alfredo Sauce	6-12 months	—	5-7 days	1-2 months	CAUTION
Almond Butter	6-12 months	1-3 months	3-6 months	6-12 months	SAFE
Almond Extract	4 years	2 years	—	—	SAFE
Anchovy Paste	12 months	3 months	3 months	6 months	SAFE
Apple Cider Vinegar	Indefinite (best quality 2-3 years)	1 year	1 year	—	SAFE
Balsamic Vinegar	3-5 years	1-3 years	—	—	SAFE
BBQ Sauce	12-18 months	—	4-6 months	—	SAFE
Buffalo Sauce	6-9 months	—	1-2 months	—	SAFE
Caesar Dressing	6-9 months	—	1-2 months	—	SAFE
Cashew Butter	6-9 months	1-3 months	3-6 months	6-12 months	SAFE
Chimichurri Sauce	12 months	2 weeks	2 weeks	3 months	CAUTION
Coconut Oil	1-2 years	6-12 months	12-18 months	2+ years	SAFE
Fish Sauce	1-2 years	6 months	6-12 months	—	SAFE
Gochujang	12 months	3 to 6 months	6 months	—	SAFE
Guacamole	—	—	3-5 days	3 months	CAUTION
Harissa Paste	12 months	4 weeks	4 weeks	6 months	SAFE
Hoisin Sauce	12-24 months	1-2 months	3-6 months	—	SAFE
Hot Sauce	2-3 years	6 months	6 months to 1 year	—	SAFE
Hummus	—	—	3-7 days	Up to 4 months	CAUTION
Italian Dressing	12 months	—	1-3 months	—	SAFE
Jelly Grape	12-24 months	—	3-6 months	—	SAFE
Ketchup	1 year	1 month	1 month	—	SAFE
Liquid Smoke	3 years	6 months	6 months	—	SAFE
Marmalade	1-2 years	—	3-6 months	—	SAFE
Mayonnaise	3-4 months past printed date	—	2 months	—	SAFE
Miso Paste	1-2 years	1 month	3-6 months	6-12 months	SAFE
Mustard Dijon	1-2 years	1 month	3-6 months	—	SAFE
Mustard Yellow	1-2 years	1 month	1 year	—	SAFE
Nutella	12 months	1-3 months	—	—	SAFE
Olive Oil	1-2 years	3-6 months	6-12 months	—	SAFE
Oyster Sauce	12-24 months	1-2 months	6 months	—	SAFE
Pasta Sauce Marinara	12-18 months	—	5-7 days	6-8 months	CAUTION
Peanut Butter	6-9 months	2-3 months	3-4 months	—	SAFE
Peppermint Extract	5 years	2 years	—	—	SAFE
Pesto	6-12 months	—	5-7 days	3-4 months	CAUTION
Pumpkin Seed Butter	12 months	1 to 3 months	3 to 6 months	6 to 12 months	SAFE
Ranch Dressing	6-12 months	—	1-2 months	—	SAFE
Red Wine Vinegar	3-5 years	1 year	—	—	SAFE
Relish	12 months	—	1-3 months	—	SAFE
Rice Vinegar	2 years	6 months	12 months	—	SAFE
Salsa	1-2 years	—	1-2 weeks	8-12 months	CAUTION
Sambal Oelek	12 months	6 months	3 months	—	SAFE
Sesame Oil	1-2 years	3-6 months	6-12 months	—	SAFE
Sherry Vinegar	3-5 years	1-2 years	—	—	SAFE
Soy Sauce	2-3 years	6 months	1 year	—	SAFE
Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce	2 years	1 month	6 months	—	SAFE
Steak Sauce	12-24 months	—	3-6 months	—	SAFE
Strawberry Jam	12-24 months	—	6-12 months	12 months	SAFE
Sunflower Butter	6-9 months	1-3 months	3-6 months	6-12 months	SAFE
Tahini	6-12 months	1-2 months	3-6 months	—	SAFE
Tahini Sauce	12 months	1 month	1 to 2 months	—	SAFE
Teriyaki Sauce	12-24 months	—	3-6 months	—	SAFE
Tomato Paste	1-2 years	—	5-7 days	6-8 months	CAUTION
Tomato Sauce Jarred	12-18 months	—	5-7 days	6-8 months	CAUTION
Tzatziki	1-2 weeks	5-7 days	5-7 days	Not recommended	CAUTION
Vanilla Extract	4 years	2 years	—	—	SAFE
Vegetable Oil	1-2 years	3-6 months	6-12 months	—	SAFE
White Vinegar	Indefinite	2 years	2 years	—	SAFE
White Wine Vinegar	3 years	1 year	—	—	SAFE
Worcestershire Sauce	3-5 years	6 months	6-12 months	—	SAFE

How to Store Condiments & Sauces Properly

Most opened condiments should be refrigerated — check the label for "refrigerate after opening" instructions.
Oils should be stored in a cool, dark place away from the stove — heat and light cause rancidity.
Hot sauce and soy sauce can be stored at room temperature due to their high vinegar or salt content.
Use clean utensils when scooping from jars to prevent introducing bacteria.
Squeeze bottles last longer than jars because they reduce air and contamination exposure.

Signs of Spoilage in Condiments & Sauces

Condiment spoilage signs include separation (beyond normal), mold growth, off odors, color changes, and fizzing or bubbling. Oil that smells bitter or like crayons has gone rancid. Nut butters with dark discoloration or a bitter taste should be discarded. Mayonnaise that has yellowed significantly or smells sour is no longer safe.

All Condiments & Sauces Products (60)

Condiments & Sauces Shelf Life Guide

Condiments & Sauces Shelf Life at a Glance

How to Store Condiments & Sauces Properly

Signs of Spoilage in Condiments & Sauces

All Condiments & Sauces Products (60)

Alfredo Sauce

Almond Butter

Almond Extract

Anchovy Paste

Apple Cider Vinegar

Balsamic Vinegar

BBQ Sauce

Buffalo Sauce

Caesar Dressing

Cashew Butter

Chimichurri Sauce

Coconut Oil

Fish Sauce

Gochujang

Guacamole

Harissa Paste

Hoisin Sauce

Hot Sauce

Hummus

Italian Dressing

Jelly Grape

Ketchup

Liquid Smoke

Marmalade

Mayonnaise

Miso Paste

Mustard Dijon

Mustard Yellow

Nutella

Olive Oil

Oyster Sauce

Pasta Sauce Marinara

Peanut Butter

Peppermint Extract

Pesto

Pumpkin Seed Butter

Ranch Dressing

Red Wine Vinegar

Relish

Rice Vinegar

Salsa

Sambal Oelek

Sesame Oil

Sherry Vinegar

Soy Sauce

Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce

Steak Sauce

Strawberry Jam

Sunflower Butter

Tahini

Tahini Sauce

Teriyaki Sauce

Tomato Paste

Tomato Sauce Jarred

Tzatziki

Vanilla Extract

Vegetable Oil

White Vinegar

White Wine Vinegar

Worcestershire Sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do condiments last after opening?

Do condiments need to be refrigerated?

Can expired condiments make you sick?