✔ Updated · USDA FoodKeeper times, spoilage signs + storage
Yes, ketchup can go bad, but very slowly. Here is how long it lasts opened and unopened, what the date on the bottle means and how to tell when to throw it out.
Yes, ketchup goes bad, but slowly because it is acidic. Per USDA FoodKeeper guidance, unopened store-bought ketchup keeps about 1 year in the pantry, and opened ketchup keeps about 6 months in the fridge. Opened ketchup left at room temperature loses quality within about a month. Throw it out if you see mold, a bulging bottle, fizzing or a sour, yeasty smell.
- Unopened, pantry: about 1 year, or by the best-by date
- Opened, refrigerated: about 6 months
- Opened, room temperature: about 1 month for best quality
- Homemade: about 1 week in the fridge
How Long Does Ketchup Last?
Ketchup is made from tomatoes, vinegar, sugar and salt, so it is high in acid and slow to spoil. The times below follow USDA FoodKeeper guidance for store-bought ketchup and assume a clean, tightly closed bottle.
| Ketchup | Pantry | Fridge (40°F or colder) |
|---|---|---|
| Unopened bottle | About 1 year (check the best-by date) | Not needed |
| Opened bottle | About 1 month for best quality | About 6 months |
| Ketchup packets | Use by the date on the packet or case | Not needed |
| Homemade ketchup | Do not store at room temperature | About 1 week; freeze up to 3 months |
Does Ketchup Expire? What the Date Means
The date on a ketchup bottle is a “best if used by” date. It tells you when the flavor and color are at their best, not the day the ketchup becomes unsafe. The USDA notes that, apart from infant formula, date labels on food are about quality rather than safety.
An unopened bottle that has been stored somewhere cool and dry, with an intact seal, is usually still fine for a while past the date. Check it before using: if the seal is broken, the bottle is swollen or anything looks or smells off, throw it out.
How to Tell If Ketchup Has Gone Bad
Look, smell and check the bottle before you taste. Throw the ketchup out if you notice any of these:
- Mold: fuzzy white, green or black spots, often around the cap or neck.
- Bulging or hissing: a swollen bottle, a popping lid or fizzing means fermentation.
- Sour, yeasty or alcoholic smell: fresh ketchup smells sweet and tangy.
- Odd taste: if a tiny taste is fizzy, sour or bitter, discard it.
- Opened too long: opened ketchup kept in the fridge well past 6 months, or left warm for months.
Old Ketchup vs Spoiled Ketchup
Some changes are just age. Ketchup darkens from bright red to brick or brown as it oxidizes, and a little watery liquid can separate at the top. Neither makes it unsafe; shake the bottle and use it if it smells and tastes normal, although the flavor will be duller.
A dried, dark crust on the cap is also common. Wipe the cap and threads clean. Mold, swelling, fizzing or a fermented smell are different: those mean the ketchup has spoiled.
Does Ketchup Need to Be Refrigerated?
Store-bought ketchup is shelf-stable, which is why diners can leave bottles on the table. USDA guidance notes that “refrigerate after opening” labels on ketchup are about quality, not safety. Restaurants also go through bottles quickly.
At home, a bottle often lasts for months, so refrigerate it after opening. In the fridge it keeps its color and flavor for about 6 months; in a warm pantry it fades and darkens within about a month. Homemade ketchup has no commercial processing and must always be refrigerated.
How to Store Ketchup So It Lasts
- Refrigerate the bottle after opening and keep it at 40°F (4°C) or colder.
- Close the cap tightly and wipe the cap and neck clean so residue does not attract mold.
- Use a clean spoon for jars and dishes; never double-dip.
- Do not pour unused ketchup from a serving dish back into the bottle.
- Keep unopened bottles and packets somewhere cool, dark and dry, away from the stove.
- Write the opening date on the bottle if you use ketchup rarely.
Common Mistakes
- Treating the best-by date as a hard expiry date and throwing out good, unopened ketchup.
- Ignoring a swollen bottle or a fizzy pour because the date has not passed yet.
- Keeping homemade ketchup in the pantry like store-bought.
- Scraping mold off the top and using the rest. Soft, wet foods like ketchup should be thrown out if moldy.
What to Eat With Your Ketchup
Use it up with copycat McDonald’s fries, Popeyes-style Cajun fries or Cracker Barrel-inspired meatloaf. Curious about the name? See catsup vs ketchup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat expired ketchup?
Usually, if it was stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage. The date on ketchup is a best-by quality date, not a safety date. Check for mold, a bulging bottle, fizzing or a sour smell first. If any of those appear, throw it out; if it looks and smells normal, it is generally fine to use.
Can expired ketchup make you sick?
Ketchup that has truly spoiled, with mold or fermentation, can make you sick and should be thrown out. Ketchup that is simply past its best-by date but looks, smells and tastes normal is unlikely to cause illness because it is so acidic. When in doubt, throw it out.
How long does ketchup last after opening?
Opened ketchup keeps about 6 months in the fridge, according to USDA FoodKeeper guidance. If you keep it in the pantry after opening, use it within about a month for the best color and flavor. Keep the cap clean and closed tightly either way.
Does unopened ketchup go bad?
Unopened ketchup lasts about 1 year in a cool, dry pantry and is often still good a while past its best-by date. It can still spoil if the seal is damaged or the bottle was stored somewhere hot. Discard bottles that are swollen, leaking or show mold after opening.
Do ketchup packets go bad?
Yes, eventually. Packets are shelf-stable but small, so they lose flavor and color faster than bottles. Use them by the date printed on the packet or case. Throw out any packet that is puffy, leaking, separated into watery liquid or smells sour.
