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I’ve been cooking for enough years (and have tossed enough moldy food) that I practically have a sixth sense for telling if something in the back of my fridge has gone bad. I’m always spot on with marinara sauce (I don’t even have to open the jar), and my senses have never failed me with knowing when it’s time to throw out that last little bit of salsa. But I’ve never thought twice about my (multiple) jars of pickles. Those acidified spears last forever, right?
After a recent off-putting incident, I wasn’t so sure. It was burger night, which meant pickles on the patties and in the sauce. But when I opened up my jar of dills, I discovered the brine was fizzing. This seemed…not right. Maybe pickles do go bad! But after how long? And could I have prevented it?
Desperate for answers, I reached out to a food safety specialist, two home canning experts, and the first employee (and now head of brand experience) at my favorite brand of pickles. All of them said yes, pickles can spoil—but just how soon depends on how the pickles are, well, pickled.
“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.
How long do refrigerator pickles last?
Homemade refrigerated pickles last at least three to four weeks in the fridge, McClellan says. Any longer and the quality will start to decline. You’ll notice the brine goes from clear to murky and cloudy, and the pickles start to lose their texture. Starting with clean jars, bringing the brine to a boil and using heartier veggies will help you get as much time out of them as possible.
“Things like sturdy pickled cucumbers and radishes will keep longer than fragile veg like pickled red onions,” she says.
Eddie Andre, head of brand experience at Grillo’s Pickles, says their refrigerator pickles—which are packed cold, shipped cold, and sold cold—last for 75 days after manufacturing. To ensure the majority of that time is spent with the customer, they make everything fresh to order, and the cucumbers actually pickle in the jars on their way to grocery stores. In keeping with the other experts’ advice, he says the sooner they’re eaten, the better.
“Within the first two to three weeks is definitely optimal,” he says. “You’ll get the best flavor, the best crunch.”
Canned pickles versus refrigerator pickles: What’s the difference?
When it comes to shelf life, pickles can be divided into two categories: canned pickles and refrigerator pickles. Canned pickles, or pickles packaged in canning jars, are made using a water-bath canning process, which involves properly sanitizing and sealing the jars and processing them in boiling water. Not only does the heat treatment kill off bacteria, it also makes them shelf-stable—meaning you’ll find these spears on the shelves of your grocery store’s pickle aisle.
Refrigerator pickles, on the other hand, are not heat-processed and need to be kept cold. They can be made with a hot brine (which extends their shelf life) or a cold brine. Unsurprisingly, you’ll find these guys in the refrigerated section. They’re usually sold in plastic tubs, just like fresh salsa.
Dill Pickles August 28 2016 Cold Pack Method
FAQ
Do refrigerated pickles go bad?
Do cold pack pickles need to be refrigerated?
How long do unopened homemade pickles last?
How long can I keep quick pickles?
How long do frozen Pickles last?
Once you’ve opened a jar of pickles — homemade or store-bought — they’ll last for up to two years in the refrigerator. To ensure they stay fresh and don’t go bad, seal the jar completely after each use, and keep your fridge temperature set to between 34 °F and 40°F.
Are pickles bad for health?
Pickles can have health benefits and harms. On the one hand, they are sources of probiotics, vitamins and minerals. On the other hand, they are high in sodium and vinegar, which can increase blood pressure, damage tooth enamel and interfere with blood sugar control, especially for diabetics. The ideal is to look for a nutritionist to evaluate your case individually.
How long do heat processed pickles last?
Unopened Jar: Heat-processed pickles in sealed jars can last for 1-2 years or even more, thanks to the airtight seal and pasteurization effect. Opened Jar: Once opened, heat-processed pickles, if properly refrigerated, will maintain their quality for about 1-3 months.
How long do Pickles last in a jar?
As a general rule, an unopened jar of pickles can last for 1 year from the date of purchase when stored in the pantry. Once you open the jar, refrigerate the pickles to preserve their freshness. They typically last for 1 to 3 months in the fridge. 1