How long do salad dressings last?
In the fridge, salad dressings keep for 1 to 3 months after opening. In the pantry, they keep for 10 to 12 months from the package date. Once opened, use it within 1 to 3 months.
10 to 12 months
from the package date
1 to 3 months
after opening
1 to 3 months
in the fridge unless noted
Do salad dressings go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, salad dressings may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell salad dressings have gone bad
General signs for condiments, sauces & canned goods, the group USDA lists salad dressings 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.
How long do other condiments, sauces & canned goods last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.