How long does maple syrup last?

Checked 24 Oct 20262 official publishers, 3 sources

Unopened, glass: indefinitely in the fridge and 4 years in the pantry.

Official stance

“Commercial sugars (granular, syrup, and honey) have an indefinite shelf life due to their resistance to microbial growth.” Extension

“sugars have a best-if-used by date of approximately 2 years for quality concerns. This is due to ... crystallization of sugars in honey and syrup.” Extension

“It is still safe to use even when lumpy or crystals are present. The color and flavor of liquid sugars may change over time.” Extension

Storage times for maple syrup by state and place
State	Pantry	Fridge 40 °F
Unopened, glass	4 years FoodKeeper	Indefinitely FoodKeeper
Unopened, plastic	2 years FoodKeeper	18-24 months FoodKeeper

Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

Source	State	Pantry	Fridge
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Unopened, glass	4 years	Indefinitely
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Unopened, plastic	2 years	18-24 months

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

“Once opened some syrups may allow mold growth.” Extension
“If crystallization occurs in syrups or honey, re-liquify them by placing the container in a larger container of hot water until the crystals have dissolved.” Extension
“Sugar syrups should not be allowed to get too hot or freeze - this will encourage crystallization.” Extension
“Heat will also darken color and alter flavor in sugar syrups and honey.” Extension
“Glass canning jars and #10 cans work best for liquid syrups and honey.” Extension
“Select filtered, top quality syrups or honey for storage.” Extension

What the sources say

FoodKeeper lists genuine maple syrup by its container: unopened in glass it keeps 4 years in the pantry and indefinitely in the fridge.¹

Unopened in plastic it gets 2 years in the pantry and 18 to 24 months in the fridge, so glass is given the longer time in both places.²¹

Utah State University Extension covers maple syrup in its guide to storing sugars and says commercial syrups have an indefinite shelf life because they resist microbial growth.³

It gives a best-if-used-by date of about 2 years for quality, because syrup can crystallize, and says syrup is still safe to use when crystals are present.³

Over time the color and flavor of liquid sugars may also change.³

To dissolve crystals, it suggests placing the container in a larger container of hot water.³

Sugar syrups should not get too hot or freeze, since both encourage crystallization, and heat also darkens the color and alters the flavor.³

Once opened, some syrups may allow mold growth, which honey and granulated sugar do not.³

For storage it recommends filtered, top quality syrups, kept in glass canning jars or #10 cans.³

Neither source gives a separate time for opened maple syrup.¹²³

Rules that apply here

Best-by and use-by dates

Honey Sugar

Sources

USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 533: "Genuine" Maple syrup, unopened, glass. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. "Genuine" Maple syrup, unopened, glass. Pantry: 4 Years; Refrigerate: Indefinitely
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 534: "Genuine" Maple syrup, unopened, plastic. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. "Genuine" Maple syrup, unopened, plastic. Pantry: 2 Years; Refrigerate: 18-24 Months
Storing Sugars | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Commercial sugars (granular, syrup, and honey) have an indefinite shelf life due to their resistance to microbial growth.sugars have a best-if-used by date of approximately 2 years for quality concerns. This is due to ... crystallization of sugars in honey and syrup.It is still safe to use even when lumpy or crystals are present. The color and flavor of liquid sugars may change over time.Once opened some syrups may allow mold growth.If crystallization occurs in syrups or honey, re-liquify them by placing the container in a larger container of hot water until the crystals have dissolved.Sugar syrups should not be allowed to get too hot or freeze - this will encourage crystallization.Heat will also darken color and alter flavor in sugar syrups and honey.Glass canning jars and #10 cans work best for liquid syrups and honey.Select filtered, top quality syrups or honey for storage.
REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.