Let’s settle the ketchup-storing debate.
Updated on July 06, 2023
In This Article
In This Article
- Does Ketchup Need to Be Refrigerated?
- Does Ketchup Go Bad?
Ketchup is one of those items that some people refrigerate and some don’t, so what’s the correct way to handle this popular condiment? Does ketchup need to be refrigerated, or can it stay in your pantry? We spoke with food scientist and safety expert Chika Ada Okegbe to settle the debate once and for all.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/does-ketchup-need-to-be-refrigerated-realsimple-GettyImages-1296743576-de9ab3ca969f4c748c63105163164419.jpg "Does Ketchup Need to Be Refrigerated? A Food Safety Expert Weighs In (1)")
Does Ketchup Need to Be Refrigerated?
Okegbe explains that commercial ketchup—AKA the stuff you find in the grocery store— “can be safely stored at room temperature,” but she still recommends refrigerating it once it’s been opened. Once opened, ketchup starts to deteriorate slowly, and refrigeration helps to slow the process so the ketchup stays fresh and flavorful for longer. Homemade ketchup
Does Ketchup Go Bad?
Yes, ketchup can go bad. If unopened, commercial ketchup “can last for up to a year in your pantry,” says Okegbe, but once opened and refrigerated, it should ideally be consumed within six months. If left in the pantry once opened, use up the ketchup within a month to be safe.
On the other hand, homemade ketchup only lasts for about a week in the fridge, and should never be stored in the pantry.
So, how do you know if your ketchup has gone bad? It’s clear that ketchup has spoiled if you notice one or more of the following changes outlined by Okegbe: a moldy surface or container, a “sour, yeasty” smell and taste, and/or a bloated container, which is a sign that the ketchup has fermented and shouldn’t be consumed.
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!
