How long does mayonnaise last?

Checked 25 Oct 20266 official publishers, 8 sources

Unopened: 3-6 months in the pantry.

Storage times for mayonnaise by state and place
StatePantryFridge 40 °F
Unopened 3-6 months FoodKeeper Extension Extension Not stated
Opened Not stated 1-2 months Extension Sources disagree: 2 months FoodKeeperExtensionExtension
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

SourceStatePantryFridge
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Unopened3-6 months-
NDSU ExtensionUnopened3-6 months-
Nebraska ExtensionUnopened3-6 months-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Opened-2 months
NDSU ExtensionOpened-2 months
Nebraska ExtensionOpened-2 months
Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine)Opened-1-2 months

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

Handling and freezing notes

  • Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time. Shelf-stable commercial mayonnaise 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. FoodKeeper
  • “Mayonnaise ... Check the package date; refrigerate after opening.” Extension
  • “Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressing Use for up to 2 years past the date marked on the package. Refrigerate after opening.” Extension
  • “Mayonnaise or salad dressing On sandwiches (not in salads) Separates” Extension
  • “a few particular foods don’t generally freeze well ... mayonnaise, sour cream, milk sauces, and cream and custard fillings are likely to separate” Extension
  • “Not all leftovers freeze well. Avoid freezing hard-cooked egg whites (toughens them), lettuce and cabbage (becomes limp), mayonnaise (separates).” Extension

What the sources say

Unopened commercial mayonnaise gets 3 to 6 months in the pantry from FoodKeeper, counted from the date of purchase, and the same 3 to 6 months from both the NDSU Extension food storage guide and the Nebraska Extension chart.123

After opening, FoodKeeper, NDSU and Nebraska all give 2 months in the refrigerator, while Iowa State University Extension lists a slightly shorter 1 to 2 months for opened mayonnaise.1234

FoodKeeper adds that shelf-stable commercial mayonnaise is safe at room temperature after opening, and that quality, not safety, is why labels suggest refrigerating it once opened.1

NDSU still advises checking the package date and refrigerating mayonnaise after opening.2

The University of Wisconsin-Extension sheet on product dating groups mayonnaise with ketchup, mustard and salad dressing and says to use them for up to 2 years past the date marked on the package, refrigerating after opening.5

None of these sources gives a freezer time; instead, mayonnaise appears on three lists of foods that do not freeze well.1234678

The National Center for Home Food Preservation says mayonnaise used on sandwiches separates when frozen, and its leftovers article lists it with sour cream and milk sauces as likely to separate.67

Nebraska Extension gives the same reason when it advises against freezing mayonnaise in leftovers.8

Rules that apply here

Best-by and use-by datesFridge and freezer temperatureFreezing and refreezing
Potato saladChicken saladMustardSour cream

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 350: Mayonnaise, commercial. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Mayonnaise, commercial. Pantry: - (Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time. Shelf-stable commercial mayonnaise 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.); DOP_Pantry: 3-6 Months; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 2 Months
  2. 1 • FN579 • Food Storage GuideNDSU Extension. NDSU Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. Mayonnaise – unopened – opened (refrigerator) 3 to 6 months 2 monthsMayonnaise ... Check the package date; refrigerate after opening.
  3. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Mayonnaise (commercial) 3 to 6 months (unopened) 2 months* (opened)
  4. Refrigerated Condiment Safety Tips • Words on Wellness • Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. Shelf life of common condiments after opening ... Mayonnaise: 1–2 months
  5. Safe and Healthy: Food Product Dating. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressing Use for up to 2 years past the date marked on the package. Refrigerate after opening.
  6. Foods That Do Not Freeze Well - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Mayonnaise or salad dressing On sandwiches (not in salads) Separates
  7. Lots of Leftovers? - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. a few particular foods don’t generally freeze well ... mayonnaise, sour cream, milk sauces, and cream and custard fillings are likely to separate
  8. Leftover Food Safety | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Not all leftovers freeze well. Avoid freezing hard-cooked egg whites (toughens them), lettuce and cabbage (becomes limp), mayonnaise (separates).
  9. 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.