Condiment Confusion: Refrigerate or Not Refrigerate?

Are you confused about which condiments to refrigerate and which are safe to leave in the pantry? Avoid food-borne illnesses and cross-contamination Let's dive into the surprising facts about condiment storage, food safety, and how to maximize the shelf life of your favorite sauces and spreads. From ketchup and mustard to soy sauce and mayonnaise, learn the best practices to keep your food fresh, flavorful, and safe to eat.

[chrisp]

The fact that everyone is still alive to tell us it's safe tells me it's fine

[Tao_]

My neighbor throws everything out according to the date, I'm the opposite, guess how you were raised.

Great video!

[CorinneClassic]

My only factor once it’s opened is does the label say “refrigerate after opening”. The company that creates it knows best according to the ingredients. I don’t follow people who think they know better just because they didn’t get sick growing up. Soya sauce changes after opening if you don’t use it often. Good info!

[debbiesykes]

Thanks for the info I love the idea that some items can be left out but I really use the fridge for most of my condiments

[rev.leonidasw.smiley]

Great presentation, nicely done! Great safety tips.

[jackieburnett]

Great video. I’m always very careful about all my condiments! Ty for sharing

[Indiskret]

Another great video with lots of information I will digest and incorporate into my own prepping.
I store Heinz ketchup and chili sauces in ~15C when unopened and in refrigerator after opening. Same for mustards in many variants. I used half a bottle chili ketchup yesterday which was opened and BBD a year ago. Still tasted like new, so a year is no problem, even when opened if in a refrigerator. Mayo I always store in refrigerator, but that's mainly for taste preservation. Mustard is the same and in my experience it degrades taste wise rather quickly even when stored cool. It looses it's "sting". I've switched to buying mustard in glass jars, and they last a LOT longer before taste degradation. Soy sauce seems to last a very long time even in room temperature. Used opened bottles 6 years after BBD and they still tasted good.
Honey I just found 60-pack 1oz glass jars for $25, so I bought several cartons. No waste when using and even the jars are useful after use.

[acerrubrum]

I would suggest cleaning caps, screw on thread area, squirt area, with a clean paper towel after every few uses.
That area is not inside, it is a contamination zone.
If the condiment has a metal lid it also prevents corrosion.
❤As always, excellent info, thanks.❤

[margaretbedwell]

Thanks for this clarification. I have always kept catsup and soy sauce in my cabinet all others in the fridge. However, as a widow, I don't use catsup as often so now I put it in the fridge. Also, for the most part, I have lost my sense of taste and smell. So when in doubt I throw it out, no matter what it is. I really appreciate this video though and I am sure it will help many young folk out there who are still in the learning stage. Have a Blessed day.

[madmecyr]

Many years ago, before the internet :), I did this exact same questionaire. The only bottle that I don't keep in the fridge after all my investigating was Worchestershire sauce! Everything else I keep refridgerated after opening, although when all my 6 kids were home, ketchup lived in the pantry too. :)

[patriciawhitney]

Nice video. I keep everything that is open in the fridge. Always have and I am very old. 82 ❤

[timothyalanogrady]

Good morning this is a great video and thanks for sharing it with us, on how to store condiments. Some of the condiments that you were talking about we keep in the right in a cabinet just For condiments I don't let it go past 6 to 8 months. Because I make half of my condiments here at home. And the majority of them are kept in mason jars . After you used to be tighten it back up and turn them upside down and back in the cabinet they go. Both this is how my family has done for years . Have a blessed week. And thank you again

[MichaelR]

Good informational video, thanks for sharing, YAH bless !

[lorriecooper]

Thanks for the info. Really enjoy your videos. Your kitchen is so lovely and tranquil.

[Prariegirl]

Great idea for a video! Thanks for the info!!

[dianabaker]

Thank you for this information, I needed this.

[jeanhammond]

Thanks for all the good info! I am like you and think some of these are good past the best by date. I love that you included the little packets! I always have some of those in my fridge…..especially Taco Bell

[nylac]

Thank-you for sharing this information. Your sharing helps me make life a little better.

[mollysmith]

Great information, Mary Ellen. I'm guilty of usually doing what my mother did but I do try to keep up with product labels. The only soy sauce I refrigerate is the flavored types such as Ponzu or Teriyaki sauce. I pretty much refrigerate all other condiments and they take up a lot of room in the fridge, haha.

[Madonna_at_Butterfly_Acres]

We just refrigerate any sort of condiment. I guess I just figured if it was open it needed to be in fridge.