How to tell when an opened condiment is no longer good
Open condiment jars often accumulate in the refrigerator for years, and thoroughly checking them is the easiest way to decide what to throw away.
Keeping track of condiments is complicated. It's common to have too many, and if you find an open bottle and can't remember when you bought it, it's unclear whether it's still good. Plus, each one has a different shelf life, and there's no universal expiration date.
There are three main ways to judge the quality of food: its appearance, its aroma, and its expiration date. In condiments, the clearest sign is the presence of water or liquid on the surface; if this appears, especially if accompanied by discoloration, the condiment has expired.
It's also a good idea to check the date and smell the condiment. If it has an unpleasant odor, it should most likely be thrown away, and if it's watery and expired, it should be discarded without hesitation. Since spoons and other utensils are used to remove it from the jar, cross-contamination is easy. Using a separate utensil for each condiment helps limit the introduction of bacteria into the jar.
Shelf life varies by type, but the most helpful guideline is knowing how long they last in the refrigerator. According to the USDA, mustard stays fresh for up to a year once opened; ketchup, cocktail sauce, and chili sauce last about six months; and horseradish lasts up to four months.
Mayonnaise lasts about two months, so it's a good idea to buy a small jar if you don't use it often. Hot sauce is one of the longest-lasting: thanks to its vinegar, it can be kept for about two years in the refrigerator, and up to four years unopened in the pantry.
