Mayonnaise is one of those refrigerator staples that can seem almost impossible to finish. You open a jar for sandwiches, burgers, potato salad, or a quick dressing, put it back in the fridge, and sometimes forget about it for weeks.
Then one day, you spot the jar and wonder: Is this mayonnaise still safe to eat?
The answer depends on several things, including whether the mayo is homemade or commercially produced, whether the jar has been opened, how it has been stored, and whether you notice any signs of spoilage.
While properly refrigerated commercial mayonnaise can remain usable for quite some time, it doesn't last forever. Here's how to tell whether your jar is still good and when it's better to throw it away.
How Long Does Mayonnaise Last in the Refrigerator?
For commercially prepared mayonnaise, an unopened jar will generally retain its quality until around the date printed on the package when it has been stored according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Once opened, mayonnaise should be kept refrigerated and handled carefully.
A commonly used guideline is to use opened commercial mayonnaise within approximately two months when it has remained properly refrigerated. However, the exact storage life can vary depending on the brand, ingredients, storage conditions, and handling.
The date printed on the jar is only one factor to consider.
If mayonnaise has repeatedly been exposed to warm temperatures, left out for long periods, or handled with utensils that weren't clean, it may spoil sooner.
What About Homemade Mayonnaise?
Homemade mayonnaise generally doesn't last as long as commercially produced mayonnaise.
That's because homemade versions may contain raw eggs and don't undergo the same processing and controls used for commercial products. As a result, homemade mayo should be considered a short-term refrigerated food.
If you're preparing mayonnaise at home, follow the recipe's storage instructions and use it promptly. Recipes made with pasteurized eggs can be a useful option when the eggs aren't cooked.
Does the Best-By Date Mean Mayo Is Bad?
Not necessarily.
Food date labels can be confusing because terms such as "Best By" often relate primarily to quality rather than automatically meaning a food becomes unsafe the next day.
Still, the date shouldn't simply be ignored.
When deciding whether an older jar of mayonnaise is worth using, consider:
- Whether the jar has been opened
- How long it has been refrigerated
- Whether it has remained consistently cold
- Whether the container is damaged or compromised
- How the mayo looks and smells
- Whether clean utensils were used
- Whether the mayonnaise was exposed to other foods or contaminants
When you're uncertain about a perishable food, taking the cautious approach is always sensible.
How Can You Tell If Mayo Has Gone Bad?
Your senses can often help you identify obvious signs that mayonnaise should no longer be eaten.
1. Look at the Color
Fresh mayonnaise is typically creamy white or slightly off-white.
If the mayo has developed an unusual yellow, gray, brown, or otherwise noticeably different color, it's safest to discard it.
A small change can occur as mayonnaise ages, but obvious discoloration is a reason to be cautious.
2. Check the Smell
Normal mayonnaise usually has a mild, slightly tangy aroma.
If it smells strongly sour, rancid, rotten, or otherwise unpleasant, don't taste it to determine whether it's safe.
If the smell seems wrong, throw it away.
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