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
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.
Are pickles ok to eat if not refrigerated? ›
Any prepared food kept at temperatures above 40°F for longer than two hours becomes a breeding ground for bad bacteria, so it's not a good idea to haul an entire jar of pickles to an all-day cookout or picnic, then put the opened jar back in the fridge at the end of the day.
How long will pickles last 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 store-bought pickles need to be refrigerated 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.
Why do pickle jars not say pickle? ›
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.
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.
Do pickles go bad if left open? ›
After the seal of the jar has been cracked, the pickles can spoil, but this process is slower than with other perishable foods. For example, if opened pickles are kept refrigerated in an airtight container with enough brine to fully cover them, they can easily last for three months.
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.
Does pickle juice help with cramps? ›
The same set of researchers also did a test on pickle juice for cramps earlier in 2010. They found that it did work to shorten cramp duration. On average, it relieved cramps in about 1.5 minutes, and 45 percent faster than when nothing was taken after exercise. Cramp relief also had nothing to do with placebo effect.
Sealed jars of homemade preserves can also be stored at room temperature. Once the jam or jelly is opened, however, it is best to refrigerate them. Richard explains that this prevents mold and yeast from growing.
Are refrigerator pickles safe? ›
If you are in a high-risk group for food-borne illness, treat refrigerator pickles as fresh food and consume them within 3 days. Otherwise, you should consume only fermented or canned pickles.
Are pickles ok 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.
Does mayonnaise need to be refrigerated? ›
Keep unopened mayo in a cool, dry place, such as the pantry or cabinet. Refrigerate after opening. After opening, always refrigerate mayonnaise in order to maintain freshness, flavor, and texture, and food safety measures or protocol. Watch cross-contamination.
Should mustard be refrigerated after opening? ›
Mustard. No matter the kind of mustard (Dijon, yellow, or whole grain), best practice is to store it in fridge. Refrigerated mustard will last up to a year after opening in the fridge, according to the USDA. Now dried mustard powder is another story—it can be stored in the pantry with all your other spices.
Do Oh snap pickles go bad if not refrigerated? ›
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.
Why pickles should not be stored? ›
Curd or pickle reacts with metals. This reaction will initiate the formation of toxic compounds which may be unfit for human consumption and may cause food poisoning. Thus, pickles and curd are not stored in metallic utensils.
Can you eat unrefrigerated pickles on Reddit? ›
Depends on the pickle. Lots of them are fine stored out of the fridge, but some aren't formulated in a way that it would be safe. Also even if they remain safe to eat, the quality of the pickle will go down faster out of the refridgerator. Any food safe issue aside, pickles are better cold.
Are soft pickles safe to eat? ›
It may be a normal reaction during fermentation caused by bacteria. 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.
