USDA-based guidance

Pantry & Condiments

Bread, mayo, ketchup, and other staples — what actually needs refrigeration after opening.

Pantry staples split into true shelf-stable foods and “keep refrigerated after opening” products. Commercial mayo, many sauces, and opened jars follow the label plus cold-storage charts once opened. Flour and raw dough are a separate hazard: flour is a raw agricultural product — do not eat raw batter.

Unopened commercial cans that are bulging, leaking, or deeply dented at a seam: discard them. See canned food safety, raw flour & dough, and date labels for quality dating on shelf-stable goods. When federal charts conflict on a window, see when charts disagree.

Pantry & Condiments Meat & Poultry Seafood Dairy & Eggs Leftovers & Cooked Food Produce

Mayonnaise fridge ~2 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Bread fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 3 months standard windows Ketchup fridge 6 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Salsa fridge ~1 month · freezer Texture suffers; not recommended standard windows Peanut Butter fridge 6–9 months · freezer Not needed standard windows Hummus fridge 4–6 days · freezer ~4 months standard windows Orange Juice fridge 7–10 days · freezer 3–4 months standard windows Mustard fridge 1 year · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Ranch Dressing fridge 1–3 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Pasta Sauce fridge 5–7 days · freezer 3–4 months standard windows Pesto fridge ~1 week · freezer 3–4 months standard windows Barbecue Sauce fridge 4 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Pickles fridge 1–2 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Olives fridge 2 weeks · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Jam fridge 6–12 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Maple Syrup fridge Indefinite · freezer Indefinite standard windows Tortillas fridge 3–4 weeks · freezer 6–8 months standard windows Bagels fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 3 months standard windows Pita fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 3 months standard windows Cooked Quinoa fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Cooked Oatmeal fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Canned Beans fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Canned Chicken fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Olive Oil fridge Longer than pantry · freezer Not needed standard windows Almond Butter fridge 6–9 months · freezer Not needed standard windows Apple Juice fridge 7–10 days · freezer 8–12 months standard windows Tempeh fridge Printed date · freezer ~12 months standard windows

27 foods in Pantry & Condiments