How long do ketchup, pickles and sauces last?
Ketchup, pickles and sauces keep 4 months in the fridge once opened and 1 year in the pantry, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
Quick answer
Storage times by type
| Type | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbecue sauce (bottled) |
| — |
|
| USDA tips: Pantry: Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time. Shelf-stable commercial barbecue sauce 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. | |||
| Ketchup, cocktail, or chili sauce |
| — |
|
| USDA tips: Pantry: Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time. Shelf-stable commercial ketchup, cocktail sauce, and chili sauce are 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. | |||
| Relish |
| — |
|
| USDA tips: Freezer: Freezing not recommended. | |||
| Pickles |
| — |
|
| Olives (black and green) |
| — |
|
| Marinades |
| — |
|
| Worcestershire sauce | — | — |
|
| USDA tips: Pantry: Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time. Shelf-stable commercial worcestershire sauce 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. | |||
Also covers: sauce, ketchup, bbq sauce, barbecue sauce, relish, pickles, olives, marinade, steak sauce, worcestershire sauce, cocktail sauce.
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Get early accessThese are general guidelines from the USDA’s FoodKeeper data for food stored at safe temperatures: fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below, freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; food kept constantly frozen at 0°F stays safe longer. Always check the package and the food itself. When in doubt, throw it out. Shelf Shepherd isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by the USDA.
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data. Last reviewed November 5, 2026.