How long does mustard last?
Mustard keeps for 1 year in the fridge once opened, for 1 to 2 years in the pantry. Dried, ground keeps up to 1 to 2 years in the freezer. USDA lists 2 kinds of mustard; the first is shown here and all are in the table below.
Mustard
1 to 2 years
from the package date
1 year
after opening
No guideline
All kinds of mustard, side by side
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mustard | 1 to 2 years | no guideline | 1 year | no guideline |
| dried, ground | 6 months | no guideline | no guideline | 1 to 2 years |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
- Mustard: Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time. Shelf-stable commercial mustard is safe when stored at room temperature after opening. Quality, not safety, is the reason the labels on these products suggest that they be refrigerated after opening.
How to tell mustard has gone bad
General signs for condiments, sauces & canned goods, the group USDA lists mustard under.
- Dented, bulging or rusted cans, especially at the seams
- Hissing sound or spray when a can or jar is opened
- Mould on the surface of a sauce or condiment
- Separation, discoloration or a sharp off smell from the jar
- Metallic taste or cloudy liquid in canned food
More on condiments, sauces & canned goods. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Refrigerate opened condiments and sauces with their lids on tightly, and use a clean spoon each time to avoid contamination. Store unopened cans in a cool, dry cupboard, and once opened, transfer leftover canned food to a covered container in the fridge rather than storing it in the can.
More in condiments, sauces & canned goods
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). Times assume a fridge at 40 F (4 C) and a freezer at 0 F (-18 C). How we decode the data.