Updated: Nov. 30, 2023
Do pickles need to be refrigerated? It's a fair question, and you might be surprised by the answer.
Different types of pickles sit under bright lights in the pantry section at your local grocery store. You wouldn’t be alone in grabbing a jar, spotting the “keep refrigerated after opening” message and wondering, do pickles need to be refrigerated? Here’s the deal (or should we say dill?) on storing pickles so they stay crisp and, more importantly, safe to eat. If you’re curious, you can discover if pickles are good for you!
Should pickles be refrigerated?
Open jars of pickled food should always be refrigerated—unless you have a root cellar or other storage space that stays a constant 34° to 40°F. Even some unopened jars should be stored in the refrigerator. For instance, if you bought them from a refrigerated display case, they’re likely unpasteurized and sold cold to keep the pickles crisp and free from harmful bacteria.
Unopened jars that have been pasteurized and sealed—the ones you find on grocery store shelves with other canned goods—can be stored at room temperature until you pop the lid open.
Also, checkwhat is a pickleall about!
How long do pickles last on the counter?
Like most other foods, pickles should be left out on the counter for no more than two hours. Despite being preserved in brine, bacteria can still form in the pickle jar. Even in two hours, pickles’ texture can start to change. Warm temperatures cause pickles to soften and lose their crunchy texture. Keeping them cool keeps them crisp.
Fridge-cold temperatures prevent mold and yeast from forming in the pickle jar, but other factors can affect the contents, too. Pickles that stay fully submerged in their brine, aka pickle juice, are less likely to spoil. Help pickles last even longer by reaching into the jar with a clean fork every time you want a crunchy snack, then screwing the lid on tight when you’re done.
How to Tell if Pickles Have Gone Bad
So we’ve answered the question, do pickles need to be refrigerated (yep). The next one to ask is, can pickles go bad? It’s not likely to happen if you store them properly, but it is possible.
When pickles go bad, you can usually see or smell it. If your pickles have any of these problems, throw them out or toss them in the compost:
- Change in the original color of the pickles or brine
- Unappealing smell
- Surface mold
- Slimy or mushy texture
- Bulging jar lid
- Fizzy brine
Can you store pickles in the freezer?
Pickles generally shouldn’t be stored in the freezer. Freezing and then defrosting can make them soft and mushy.
The exception is homemade freezer pickles, which are made by packing sliced vegetables in vinegar and sugar before they are frozen. They can have a surprisingly fresh, crisp texture when thawed and eaten straight from the fridge.
Does storage differ for canned vs. store-bought pickles?
Properly sealed pickles, whether store-bought or homemade using a steam canner or hot-water bath, can be stored in the same way. Put them in a cool, dark, dry place before you open the jar and in the refrigerator once you pop the lid.
If you bought pickles from a market’s refrigerated section, they need to go straight into your fridge. The same is true of homemade fermented, refrigerator or quick pickles. Those submerged in a vinegar brine might be refrigerated immediately or once the brine cools, depending on the pickle recipe. Fermenting might take weeks, after which refrigeration slows the process and keeps the pickles crisp.
FAQs
Open jars of pickled food should always be refrigerated—unless you have a root cellar or other storage space that stays a constant 34° to 40°F. Even some unopened jars should be stored in the refrigerator.
How long can pickles be unrefrigerated? ›
Despite what you may have heard, pickles in a jar do indeed go bad. According to Can It Go Bad?, an unopened jar of unrefrigerated pickles can sit on a room-temperature shelf out of direct sunlight for 2 years. Once opened, the pickles can spoil, but this process is slower than with other perishable foods.
Do I need to refrigerate pickles after opening? ›
"As long as the pickles are kept cold, they can last upwards of 75 days unopened in the fridge," Andre shares. Once opened, any pickles should be stored in the fridge, submerged in brine, to maintain freshness for at least up to three months, according to the USDA.
Does pickle juice go bad if not refrigerated? ›
No refrigeration required (though it may be refrigerated) Store away from excessive heat in a cool, dry place. Do not freeze in original bottle (though it may be frozen in appropriate containers) Recap containers – do not leave open.
Do dill pickles go bad? ›
"Pickles will eventually spoil if given enough time. Some may think the acid will prevent mold from growing, but given enough time, the mold will prevail." Tiner says the pickle brine has a lot to do with pickles lasting up to a year past the "use by date".
How pickles do not spoil easily? ›
Salt and oil do not allow moisture and air to enter the material and hence bacteria cannot thrive on them. Therefore, pickles do not get spoiled for months together. Q.
Why do pickle jars not say pickle? ›
Olive all use the term on their websites, in advertisem*nts, and in the product descriptions of their pickle varieties. When asked why the word isn't on the front of the jars, all three companies provided nearly the same answer: They feel the word “pickle” isn't necessary on pickles packaged in clear glass containers.
Are refrigerated pickles better for you? ›
However, if you're looking for a pickle to support gut health, you'll have to select from the pickles in the refrigerated aisle. “The pickles that are beneficial for your gut health are the fermented ones, made by brining them in salt rather than vinegar,” says Dr.
Does ketchup need to be refrigerated after opening? ›
Unless you're a busy diner going through and refilling ketchup bottles every day or two, you should store your ketchup in the fridge. This is because, just like pickles, the flavor and texture declines after you open the bottle or jar and the ketchup is exposed to air.
Do you have to refrigerate oh snap pickles? ›
products need to be refrigerated? Absolutely! Keeping your Oh Snaps cool helps to maintain their crunch. Pouches can be left unrefrigerated for a few hours with no noticeable change, but products are best enjoyed cold.
Bad smell in jar of pickles: Spoiled pickles will smell bad and unpleasantly sour. If the smell makes you recoil or is foul, the jar has gone bad. Discolored pickles or brine: All pickles are stored in brine. If the pickles have gone bad, both the pickles themselves and the brine will be discolored and/or cloudy.
Can bacteria grow in pickle juice? ›
Any exposed pickle or brine becomes a breeding ground for microbes that will spoil the whole batch.
Does mayonnaise need to be refrigerated? ›
Mayonnaise. You may buy mayonnaise off a non-refrigerated shelf, but the second you pop the top, you must put it in the refrigerator. In fact, the USDA recommends opened mayo be tossed in the trash if its temperature reaches 50 degrees or higher for more than eight hours.
Can pickles be left unrefrigerated? ›
Like most other foods, pickles should be left out on the counter for no more than two hours. Despite being preserved in brine, bacteria can still form in the pickle jar. Even in two hours, pickles' texture can start to change. Warm temperatures cause pickles to soften and lose their crunchy texture.
Can pickles be stored at room temperature? ›
If the jars are properly heat-processed, both homemade and commercially sealed pickles can sit unopened at room temperature for years, says Julie Laing, author of The Complete Guide to Pickling. But eating them sooner will ensure the best texture and flavor.
What causes pickles to go bad? ›
If the pickles are soft, they are spoiled from the yeast fermentation. Don't use them. Using too weak a salt brine or vinegar solution may cause soft or slippery pickles, as can using moldy garlic or storing the pickles at too warm a temperature. These pickles are spoiled and should be discarded.
How long can oh snap pickles sit out? ›
products need to be refrigerated? Absolutely! Keeping your Oh Snaps cool helps to maintain their crunch. Pouches can be left unrefrigerated for a few hours with no noticeable change, but products are best enjoyed cold.
How long do pickles have to sit before eating them? ›
To allow pickles to mellow and develop a delicious flavor, wait at least 3 weeks before eating! Keep in mind that pickles may be ready to enjoy earlier. It's all up to you and your tastes!
How long are quick pickles good for? ›
Once cool, store in the fridge. The quick pickles can be enjoyed right away, although they'll taste much better after 24 hours and even better after a week. Quick pickles will keep for about 3 months in a sealed jar in the fridge.
Does Indian pickle need to be refrigerated? ›
Store all pickles in a cool dry place or refrigerate as specified in a recipe. Instant pickles have a short life. So use them up immediately or store them refrigerated for a few days. Given below are some popular Indian pickles.
