How long do pickles last?

Checked 25 Oct 20266 official publishers, 6 sources

Unopened: 1 year in the pantry.

Storage times for pickles by state and place
StatePantryFridge 40 °F
Unopened 1 year FoodKeeper Extension Extension Not stated
Opened Not stated 1-3 months FoodKeeper Extension Extension Extension
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) 2018Unopened1 year-
Nebraska ExtensionUnopened1 year-
Utah State University ExtensionUnopened12 months-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Opened-1-3 months
Nebraska ExtensionOpened-1-3 months
NDSU ExtensionOpened-1-3 months
Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine)Opened-1-3 months

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

Handling and freezing notes

  • “Cucumbers ... can be frozen as marinated products such as ... "freezer pickles". These do not have the same texture as regular slaw or pickles.” Extension

What the sources say

FoodKeeper and the Nebraska Extension chart both give unopened pickles 1 year in the pantry, which FoodKeeper counts from the date of purchase.12

Utah State University Extension lists pickles kept in their original container in a dry basement at 70°F with an optimum storage length of 12 months, the same span as the other two sources.312

After opening, FoodKeeper and the Nebraska chart both move pickles to the refrigerator, where they give 1 to 3 months.12

The National Center for Home Food Preservation notes that cucumbers can be frozen as marinated "freezer pickles", but these do not have the same texture as regular pickles.6

The NDSU Extension food storage guide lists pickles and olives together among opened canned foods, with 1 to 3 months once transferred to a glass or plastic container, tightly covered and refrigerated.4

Iowa State University Extension, in its list of refrigerated condiments after opening, also gives pickles 1 to 3 months, so four sources agree on that window.5124

Rules that apply here

Best-by and use-by dates
VinegarSauerkrautMustard

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 353: Pickles. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Pickles. DOP_Pantry: 1 Years; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 1-3 Months
  2. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Pickles 1 year (unopened) 1 to 3 months (opened)
  3. Food Storage in Home | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Pickles original container 70°F dry basement 12 months
  4. 1 • FN579 • Food Storage GuideNDSU Extension. NDSU Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. Tightly cover and refrigerate. ... pickles, olives 1 to 3 months
  5. 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 ... Pickles: 1-3 months
  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. Cucumbers ... can be frozen as marinated products such as ... "freezer pickles". These do not have the same texture as regular slaw or pickles.
  7. 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.