Does Mustard Go Bad?
Mustard can go bad if not stored properly. Most types of mustard have a shelf life of around 1-2 years if unopened and stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Once opened, the mustard should be refrigerated and used within 6-8 months.
When stored correctly, mustard can be kept long after that best by date on the jar or squeeze bottle of your mustard. While mustard eventually goes bad, most mustards last 2-3 years past their best-by dates, but this is not the only indicator of freshness. While the average mustard shelf life is as long as two years, there are a few exceptions depending on the type of mustard.
The best-quality flavors in this product will remain good for two or three months past their date of refrigeration, but it is not a requirement that your mustard is refrigerated if you would rather eat mustard at room temperature. You can store mustard in the refrigerator up to four months, and you can store mustard up to three months. You can store your mustard up to four months, and it is best if it is refrigerated.
An opened can of mustard should maintain its quality between six to 12 months, if left in the refrigerator, and around one or two months, if stored at room temperature. If you leave your jar of mustard out on a countertop or table, make sure that it stays usable for at least one month, and at most two months.
You can also allow the mustard to thaw in the fridge overnight, or to sit at room temperature for several hours. Tightly sealed, closed-top mustard is okay to keep at room temperature, but I would recommend moving it into the refrigerator after your first use.
| Types | Shelf Life |
| Dijon Mustard | 2 years |
| Brown Mustard | 3 years |
| American Mustard/Yellow Mustard | 1 years |
What is nice about mustard is that you can store the condiment unrefrigerated without destroying it. You should remember mustard can easily survive a few months past its expiration date because of its presence of acidic ingredients. As long as the mustard is not opened, you can easily keep it for one to two years past the labeled use-by date.
If the mustard seems good, but is now 1 or 2 years past its best-by date, it is time to throw it out. If you taste the mustard and detect burnt, bitter, or acidic flavors, then it is expired and needs replacing.
It is not usually until some time after your mustard has passed the best-by date that the texture starts to change because of aging, but once that happens, you will see a difference between the old, bad mustard and your normal mustard. To enjoy the most from the mustard that you purchase, it is always best to consume your mustard prior to its best-by date, because once that date has passed, its taste will begin to slowly deteriorate. An expired mustard means that the mustard has passed the best-by date, but the quality of mustard might still be good.
You can freeze mustard, but the texture and taste will not be as consistent as it is when it is just poured from a can. Once opened, jars or bottles of mustard need to be refrigerated to keep the condiment safe and quality, but take note. For the sake of simplicity, we are going to assume that your mustard is unopened and sitting in your pantry, or has been opened and is safely stored in your fridge.
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There is no need to worry, because unopened mustard, if stored correctly, of course, will remain edible for two years in the pantry. As long as jars are not opened, mustard keeps its quality for years; once opened, it keeps well in the refrigerator for six months to a year. Once opened, mustard does not need to be refrigerated, but doing so greatly extends its shelf life and retains these essential, signature flavors. Freezing mustard does not prolong its shelf-life past the years that it stays fresh in your fridge.
As I mentioned before, mustard does not spoil if it is not refrigerated once opened, but it does degrade its quality a lot more quickly. Make sure to store opened mustard constantly in your refrigerator, and to avoid temperature changes, since that will reduce the mustards shelf life. It is recommended that you store opened mustard in the refrigerator, which helps keep the mustard from spoiling quickly and keeps the flavors intact. If you do not enjoy having mustard in cold storage, and use it frequently enough to not want to store it refrigerated so that you can keep it for as long as possible, you can just keep your mustard bottles on a shelves, or any dry, cool area that stays at room temperature.
When not refrigerated, homemade mustard only lasts a day, so for preserving longer, refrigerate and the condiment will last anywhere from one week to one year, depending on the ingredients and packaging. Keep in mind, Homemade mustard will last for fewer days and you will need to check for any spoilage after one week. The good news is mustard is not just a dressing that you put on your bread, it is actually pretty versatile and can be used for many things. Dijon Mustard — Because Dijon mustard has such a high vinegar content, unopened Dijon mustard can keep two or three years in a pantry at room temperature, and a year after opening in a refrigerator.
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Honey mustard – This sweeter, milder blend of mustards Honey mustard – This sweeter blend will keep for two to three years in the pantry before being opened and one to two years after being opened, when stored in the refrigerator. Dijon Mustards & Brown Mustards – Good for 2-3 years when not opened; Good for 1 year when opened and stored in the refrigerator. American Mustard/Yellow Mustard – Unopened, American Mustard/Yellow Mustard will last for at least one to two years past the print date, when stored properly. American Mustard – This popular, mild-mannered American mustard can last for one to two years past the best-by date, if not opened and stored at room temperature in a cupboard.
Is it OK to eat expired mustard?
Fair warning: if the taste or consistency of the mustard appears off, don’t consume it. Even though eating mustard after its best-by date is not always risky, it can eventually become poisonous. Plus, it won’t be good for your digestion or taste buds.
Does mustard go bad if not refrigerated?
Many people believe that mustard goes bad if it is not refrigerated. But mustard can be stored at room temperature for extended periods of time without going bad. The reason for this is that mustard is a very acidic food, and the acidity protects it from bacteria. However, refrigerating it can keep it in good shape for longer.
How to tell if mustard is bad?
Even though mustard can stay unrefrigerated for 1 to 2 months, mustard is a perishable product and will spoil if not stored properly. Spoilt mustard can develop mold, and it will become sour and unpleasant to eat. If you’re not sure if your mustard has gone bad, be sure to check for signs of spoilage before using it.