How Long Does Gravy Last?

How long does gravy last?
The shelf life of gravy depends on the best before date and how it is stored. Many people ask "can gravy go bad"? Although they do tend to last much longer than their best before dates, the answer to does gravy go bad is "yes"!

Gravy can be made from different ingredients, but generally there are meat drippings and a flour or starch involved.

So, how long does gravy last? When properly stored, the shelf life of gravy past its best before date is ...

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Gravy Expiration Date

(Unopened) Pantry Fridge
Past Printed Date
Canned or Jarred Gravy lasts for 1 Year No need until opened, so same as pantry
Homemade Gravy for 2 Hours 5 - 7 Days
Packaged Gravy Mix lasts for 1 Year Not recommended
(Opened) Pantry Fridge
Canned or Jarred Gravy lasts for 2 Hours 5 - 7 Days
Homemade Gravy for 2 Hours 5 - 7 Days
Packaged Gravy Mix lasts for 2 Hours 5 - 7 Days once prepared

But remember that gravy, like a lot of other condiments, usually has a best before date and not a use by date or an expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use it for meat and potatoes after the best before date has lapsed. Although many canned goods can last for decades, the dates given in our tables express when there should begin to be a distinct decline in the actual quality of the product.

How to tell if Gravy is bad, rotten or spoiled?

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

The color, texture and clarity of the product may change with age. Product separation begins to happen to the gravy and the top will become watery as the bottom becomes firmer. At this point, the quality of the product has changed. Depending upon the ingredients, the meat juices used will begin to go bad and smell. Vegetable based gravies may last slightly longer. Mold can eventually form in moist gravy, making it dangerous to consume.

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 Gravy to extend its shelf life?

The best way to store unopened gravy is in its original air tight container in a cool dark place like the pantry, away from the stove and other appliances. After opening, gravy needs to remain refrigerated in an air tight container. Gravy can be frozen in a freezer safe container for at least 3 months, after which the quality may begin to decline but it will be safe to consume for at least a year.

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

How long is Gravy good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does gravy last? That depends. How long does beef last? In general, gravy spoils because of and in the timeframe of the protein that was used to create the gravy.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Gravy 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 Gravy.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Gravy 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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