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How Long Does Sriracha Last?
- Unopened: 2 years past the best-by date at room temperature
- After opening: 2 years in the fridge, 6 months at room temperature
The uber popular hot sauce goes with practically anything—eggs, chicken, rice, pork, noodles, sandwiches, wings and so much more. It’s made with chiles, sugar, salt, garlic, vinegar, although the exact recipe varies by manufacturer. In fact, it’s is top secret at Huy Fong Foods, the cult-favorite Sriracha company.
Before opening, Sriracha should last for two years past the best-by date in the pantry. Once you open it, you can choose to store it in the fridge for up to two years, if you have room. Otherwise, room temperature works just fine for six months. Keep in mind that the sauce may darken a bit, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s gone bad.
Learn more about what goes into Sriracha—and then don’t hesitate to make every one of these recipes with Sriracha.
What Is the Average Shelf Life of Sour Cream?
- Unopened: Until the best-by date in the fridge
- After opening: 1 to 3 weeks in the fridge
Whether used as a creamy dip or a topping for a baked potato, sour cream is a versatile condiment. After opening a container of sour cream, store it in the refrigerator and use it up within one to three weeks.
These recipes are better with a dollop of sour cream.
How Long Does Soy Sauce Last?
- Unopened: Indefinitely at room temperature
- After opening: 3 years in the fridge
This condiment—made from fermented soybeans and wheat—is a popular marinade ingredient that adds a delicious umami flavor. When unopened, soy sauce can be kept in your pantry indefinitely. An open bottle of soy sauce can be stored for three years in the refrigerator.
Keep our Test Kitchen’s picks for the best soy sauce brands in mind next time you’re at the store, then put that bottle to work in one of these recipes with soy sauce.
How Long Can You Keep Pasta Sauce?
- Unopened: 2 years at room temperature
- After opening: 4 days in the fridge
Spaghetti is one of our favorite easy weeknight dinners, and with this recipe you can really plan ahead. A jar of store-bought pasta sauce lasts in your pantry for two years. After opening a jar, it should be stored in the refrigerator and used within four days.
We’ve also got a great homemade canned spaghetti sauce recipe, too—that is, if you’ve got 80 tomatoes to use up.
How Long Does Miso Last?
- Unopened: 1 year at room temperature
- After opening: 3 to 12 months in the fridge
Made with fermented soybeans, miso paste can be put to use in so much more than miso soup. It’s also perfect for ramen and in dressings and marinades. Unopened, miso paste will keep in the pantry for up to a year. Once you open it, it will continue to ferment—so for best taste, consume it sooner than later. Eating this essential Japanese ingredient within three months is best, but it may last up to a year in the fridge.
What’s the Shelf Life of Tahini?
- Unopened: 6 months after the best-by date at room temperature
- After opening: 1 year at room temperature, 3 weeks in the fridge
This sesame seed-based condiment is a staple in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. An unopened jar will likely last six months past the best-by date if stored in cool and dry conditions. Once open, tahini can be stored for one year in the pantry or for three weeks in the refrigerator.
After you try it, tahini will quickly become a regularly stocked condiment in your pantry. Branch out with these other condiments to try, like chili crisp, zhoug sauce and harissa.
How Long Does Chutney Last?
- Unopened: 1 year at room temperature
- After opening: 2 months in the fridge
Whether it’s mango, pineapple or another flavor, unopened chutney can stay in your cupboard for up to a year. After the jar has been opened, store the chutney in your fridge for up to two months. Use chutney to top your favorite Indian recipes.
By the way, chutney is different than relish. Chutney is typically thicker than relish, although relish has more of a crunchy bite since the ingredients aren’t cooked down as much.
What’s the Shelf Life of Worcestershire Sauce?
- Unopened: 1-1/2 to 3 years at room temperature
- After opening: 3 years in the fridge
Hard to say, but easy to store. It lasts up to three years unopened in the pantry. Keep an open bottle of Worcestershire sauce for up to three years in the refrigerator.
This is the correct way to pronounce Worcestershire.
How Long Does Horseradish Last?
- Unopened: A few months after the best-by date at room temperature
- After opening: 3 months in the fridge
Horseradish often comes “prepared”—grated and combined with vinegar and sugar—in a bottle or jar that makes it easily spreadable on your favorite sandwich. It’s different than horseradish sauce, which is prepared horseradish combined with cream, that makes it not so pungent.
Before opening, it should last at room temperature for a few months past the best-by date. Horseradish is better fresher, and once opened, it will start losing some of its bite. Try to finish off the jar within three months, keeping it in the fridge in the meantime.
If you’re curious, here’s how to make homemade prepared horseradish. Check out more of our homemade condiment recipes while you’re at it.
How Long Do Condiment Packets Last?
Just about everyone has a smattering of condiment packets from fast food joints in their pantry. Here’s how long each of these packets last:
- Indefinitely: Honey, salt and sugar
- 4 years: Vinegar, hot sauces and pepper
- 3 years: Jam and jelly
- 2 years: Parmesan, soy sauce, mustard, oil and taco sauce
- 1 year: Barbecue sauce, tartar sauce, mayo, ketchup, relish and salad dressing
If you’re not sure when you got a condiment, check to see if there is a “best-by” date on the packet. If not, open it up and see if it smells or looks off. It’s always better to err on the side of caution. Did you know there are foods you can keep past the expiration date?
