Skip to Content

How Long Does Mayo Last? [Shelf Life Guide]

Mayonnaise is one of the best things we humans have created. It is a thick creamy sauce usually made from egg yolks, vinegar, and oil.

However, we can also find eggless mayonnaise in the markets. You can use it in salads, sandwiches, or as dips to almost anything under the sky. You can never go wrong with it.

We can find at least one bottle or jar of mayonnaise in almost every kitchen.

Just like ketchup, hotsauce, and soy sauce, we use it so often in our foods, so we must make sure that the mayonnaise is fresh and good, as eating bad mayonnaise can make you sick with food poisoning.

The question which we need to ask is – does Mayonnaise go bad?

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about how long a bottle of Mayonnaise can last, why and how it goes bad, and everything else which will help you with knowing exactly when to throw your mayonnaise out.

Does Mayonnaise Go Bad? How Long Does Mayonnaise Last?

how-long-does-mayonnaise-last

Mayonnaise, just like any other thing in the world, does go bad over time. But the shelf life of your mayonnaise will be different depending on whether it is home-made or store-bought.

Usually, industrial packaged mayonnaise lasts longer than the simple homemade counterpart.

According to Dr.Karen Latimer, a bottle of store-bought mayonnaise can last for many months, if it is unopened and stored away from sunlight because industrial mayonnaise contains preservatives to give it a longer shelf-life.

If you have opened the bottle or jar, it should be refrigerated right afterward. This way, your mayonnaise can last about 2-3 months, or up to the expiry date as given by the manufacturers.

On an average, homemade mayonnaise can only last up to a week; even when we store it in the fridge. Mainly because of the use of raw egg yolks.

It is therefore highly recommended that you use pasteurized eggs and also add more amount of vinegar.

However, even eggless mayonnaise can last only up to 3-4 days or a week at the most if it is homemade since they don’t have preservatives.

So while it is more convenient to buy a jar or bottle of mayonnaise from the stores as these can last much longer and tastes the same of sometimes even better, it is always the healthier option to make your mayonnaise at home.

How to Tell If Mayonnaise Is Bad? Mayonnaise Shelf Life!

how-to-tell-if-mayonnaise-is-bad

Just like any other food, the first sign that your mayonnaise has gone bad is the smell. Some other indicators which show that it has gone bad are:

It will start to give out a very unpleasant odor, which will usually be slightly acidic.

Look for any mold or other growth along the edges of the jar or bottle, or on the surface of the mayonnaise.

Exposing the mayonnaise causes this, including not storing properly or contaminating with other food particles, such as breadcrumbs.

Spoiled mayonnaise will also start to split or separate. If some liquid starts collecting in the depression left by your spoon, after you have scooped out a spoonful of mayonnaise, it means that you should most probably throw it out into the trash. Bacterial overgrowth causes this situation.

Good, fresh mayonnaise is usually white with a very slight yellowish tinge. Experts tell us that any discoloration will indicate that there is something wrong with the mayonnaise.

You can always tell when mayonnaise has gone bad if it has an unusually darker, brownish color.

mayonnaise shelf lie

Does Mayonnaise Go Bad? How Long Does Mayonnaise Last?

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Shelf Life
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • Mayonnaise
  • Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
  • Labels and markers

Instructions
 

  • Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
  • Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
  • Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
  • If frozen, thaw in the fridge before use. Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @EatDelights or tag #eatdelights!

About The Author

Sharing is caring!

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)
Recipe Rating




Index