How Long Does Mayonnaise Last?
Opened store-bought mayonnaise lasts about 2 months in the fridge. An unopened jar keeps 3–6 months in the pantry. Homemade mayonnaise made with raw egg lasts only 3–4 days refrigerated.
Mayonnaise — opened
shelf life- Unopened: 3–6 months in the fridge
- Homemade: 3–4 days in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil, egg yolk and vinegar or lemon juice. Commercial mayo is made with pasteurized eggs and enough acid to hold bacteria back, so a sealed jar is shelf-stable. Once opened, the oil slowly oxidizes and the emulsion can break, and homemade versions made with raw egg have none of that built-in protection.
How to store mayonnaise
- Refrigerate the jar as soon as it is opened and keep it on an interior shelf rather than the door if your fridge runs warm.
- Always use a clean, dry knife or spoon. Crumbs, tuna and other food carried into the jar are what usually make mayonnaise spoil early.
- Squeeze bottles stay cleaner than wide-mouth jars because nothing goes back in; wipe the nozzle so dried mayo does not build up.
- Write the opening date on the lid. The printed best-by date only applies to the sealed jar, not to the 2 months after opening.
- Foods mixed with mayo, such as potato or tuna salad, follow the 3–4 day rule for the salad, not the longer life of the jar.
How to tell if mayonnaise has gone bad
- A sharp, sour or putrid smell instead of the mild tangy, eggy aroma of fresh mayonnaise.
- Color darkening from creamy white to yellow or brownish, especially a darker layer on top.
- Oil pooling on the surface or a curdled, lumpy texture that does not stir back together.
- Any mold spots on the surface, around the rim or under the lid.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Mayonnaise shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | 2 months | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Freezing breaks the emulsion; thawed mayo separates into oil and curds. | |||
| Unopened | 3–6 months | Not recommended | 3–6 months |
| Homemade | 3–4 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Made with raw egg and far less acid than commercial mayo. Pasteurized eggs lower the risk. | |||
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Does mayonnaise need to be refrigerated after opening?
Yes. Manufacturers and the USDA both say to refrigerate mayonnaise once the seal is broken. The acid in commercial mayo slows bacteria, but opening the jar introduces new microbes and food particles, and warmth speeds up oil rancidity. An unopened jar is fine in a cool pantry.
Is mayo safe if it was left out overnight?
The conservative answer is to throw it out. Food-safety guidance treats opened mayonnaise as a refrigerated food, and the standard limit is 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). Commercial mayo is acidic and lower risk than most perishables, but you cannot see, smell or taste whether harmful bacteria have grown.
Can you use mayonnaise after the expiration date?
An unopened jar stored in a cool pantry is usually fine for a few months past its best-by date, because that date is about quality, not safety. Check that the seal is intact and the mayo is still creamy white and smells normal. Once opened, count 2 months from opening regardless of the printed date.
How long does homemade mayonnaise last?
Homemade mayonnaise lasts 3–4 days in the fridge. It is made with raw egg yolk, which can carry Salmonella, and it has much less acid than the commercial product. Use pasteurized eggs if you can, keep it cold, and never leave it out for more than 2 hours.
Can you freeze mayonnaise?
Freezing is not recommended. Mayonnaise is an emulsion, and ice crystals break it, so it thaws as a layer of oil over grainy solids. It is not unsafe, but whisking rarely brings it fully back. Since an opened jar keeps about 2 months in the fridge, there is little reason to freeze it.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketchup Opened |
6 months | Not recommended | 1 month |
| Mustard Opened |
1 year | Not recommended | 1–2 months |
| Ranch Dressing Opened |
1–2 months | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Egg Salad Homemade |
3–4 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Tuna Salad Prepared |
3–4 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Potato Salad Prepared |
3–4 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
More condiments: Horseradish, Relish.
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.