How Long Do Pickles Last?

Pickles - How long do pickles last? Do pickles expire? The shelf life of pickles depends on a variety of factors, such as the best by date, the preparation method and how the pickles are stored. While cucumbers are great straight from the garden, their shelf life is pretty short. However, when they are put through the pickling process and enter their new stage of life as Pickles, they can hang in the fridge for a very long time. The pickling process involves vinegar which is very acidic and creates an extremely hostile environment for the growth of bacteria in a pickle jar.

So, how long do pickles last? When a jar of pickles is properly stored, the shelf life of pickles past their best before date is at least...

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Pickles Expiration Date

Product Pantry (Unopened) Refrigerator (Opened)
Past Printed Date Past Printed Date
Pickles last for 1-2 Years 1-2 Years
Pickled Peppers last for 1-2 Years 1-2 Years
Pickled Corn lasts for 1-2 Years 1-2 Years
Sauerkraut (pickled cabbage) lasts 1-2 Years 1-2 Years

Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly.

How to tell if Pickles are bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Sight is usually the best way to tell if your pickles have gone bad. If the top of the lid on the jar is rounded and dome shaped instead of flat across, the pickles have most likely gone bad probably because the jar was not sealed properly. If you open the jar and do not a hear the normal pop then the seal had been broken. If anything is brown or black (besides the added spices), then you should not eat the pickles. The pickles will begin to lose their crunch as time goes on after the best before date has lapsed, so aren't as enjoyable but are still edible.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Pickles to extend their shelf life?

You can help pickles stay fresh longer by storing them unopened in the pantry where the temperature is always less than 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Once opened, the pickles should be kept in the fridge.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Pickles:

  • Pickle juice can be recycled and used as a base to marinate beef or pork.
  • If you like pickled veggies, add some fresh vegetables to the jar when the pickles are gone.
  • How long are Pickles good for when prepared in a dish?

    How long do pickles last? That depends.How long do hamburgers last? In general, the pickles will last as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the prepared dish.

    What are our shelf life resources?

    In determining how long Pickles lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Pickles.

    *An important note about expiration dates...

    Although the Pickles shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!

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    With oven-safe glass and water-tight lids, these food storage containers are ready for action! Not a Prime Member? Try a 30-day free trial today!

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