There’s no place in your fridge that holds more promise than the condiment shelf. Whether you eat them straight from the bottle or jar or zhuzh them up with pantry staples, condiments have the power to transform ingredients into palatable snacks and meals. That being said, condiments used past their expiration dates can downgrade your food by tasting flat or off—or even making you sick. Here’s what to know about the most dangerous condiments in your kitchen, including how long they’ll last once opened and the signs they’ve gone bad. 

Use these guidelines as a general rule-of-thumb for store-bought, shelf-stable condiments, which contain preservatives like salt. Homemade condiments or leftover house-made condiments from a restaurant have a much shorter timeline. So if you add a life-changing remoulade to your to-go box, make sure to eat it within a few days.

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