Mayonaisse is used in so many recipes, from classic tartar sauce to making unique desserts. If you have a bottle or jar of mayo that has been left sitting out at room temperature, you may be wondering, how long can mayo stay out of the fridge before it goes bad?
Well, to put it plainly, the best option is to avoid leaving mayo sitting out on your counter for any period longer than 6 hours.
When it comes to meats, foodborne illnesses can occur in as little as 2 hours at room temperature, which is why it is so important to get your mayo back into the refrigerator as quickly as possible.
While mayonnaise should never be left out on your countertop overnight, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind any time you are working with mayo in the kitchen.
Why Does Mayo Need to Stay in the Fridge?
Most mayonnaise brands today (except for vegan options) include dairy products in their list of ingredients. The most common dairy products used to create and develop mayonnaise include eggs and milk.
While the eggs and milk are created to remain shelf-stable at certain temperatures, they must remain chilled in order to prevent them from going rancid.
Is There a Mayo That Does Not Require Refrigeration?
In some cases, you may be able to find mayonnaise that does not require ongoing refrigeration. However, it’s important to note that these mayonnaise options will be devoid of any dairy and/or milk and egg products that are typically found in traditional mayonnaise.
How Long Is Shelf-Stable Mayo Good For?
Before you open mayonnaise, many brands offer shelf-stable options. These options can help your mayonnaise to last anywhere between 6 and months before it begins to go bad.
In some cases, the mayo may even last longer, depending on storage conditions well as the type of storage container(s) used.
How Can I Extend the Lifespan of My Mayonnaise?
While mayonnaise can last up to 6 months when properly stored in a cooled refrigerator, there are a few tips to keep in mind that can help to extend the lifespan of mayo of any kind. These tips include:
- Storage: Ensure that your jar or bottle of mayonnaise is secured and stored in a cool, quiet, temperature-controlled place (such as a refrigerator).
- Oxygen exposure: How long a product lasts will greatly depend on how much exposure to oxygen it receives while being used.
- Suitable storage: Using an alternative storage method or bottle that protects the mayonnaise from oxygen and going bad can also help to extend the life of the mayo itself.
How Can I Tell If My Mayonnaise Has Gone Bad?
It’s not always easy to tell if mayonnaise has gone by simply by taking a quick glance at it. However, in proper lighting, mayonnaise that has gone bad will begin to appear more yellowish and, in some cases, even brown in color (depending on how old the mayo is and the type of mayo being used).
Can I Make My Own Mayonnaise?
Yes, it is possible to make your own mayonnaise, especially if you are interested in personalized flavor profiles or complex seasoning.
How Do I Make My Own Mayonnaise?
Making your own homemade mayonnaise is not as complicated as it may seem, even if you have never attempted to do so on your own before. The ingredients are simple and can likely be found in your kitchen or pantry. For your homemade mayonnaise, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 large eggs (or the type of egg of your choice)
- 2 teaspoons of salt (pink Himalayan or kosher works well)
- 2 teaspoons of dry mustard seasoning
- 2 cups of vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup of white vinegar
Yes, that’s really it. While you can easily add all of these ingredients together and blend them by hand, you can also opt to add them to your food processor to expedite the blending. Once the added oil has been fully incorporated into your new mayo mixture, you can then refrigerate and store the mayonnaise in your own fridge.
How Do I Store Homemade Mayonnaise?
If you make a batch of homemade mayo, it is best to store your creation in airtight jars with sealed lids. You can also opt for glass jars and containers that are designed to eliminate light and oxygen from reaching their contents.
How Long Does Homemade Mayonnaise Last?
The lifespan of any homemade mayo will greatly depend on the quality of ingredients that were used in the process. If you are using farm fresh eggs that are extremely fresh, you can store your mayonnaise between two and four weeks with little to no issue.
Related Questions
How long will a jar of opened mayonnaise last when properly refrigerated?
A properly stored and sealed jar or bottle of mayonnaise can last up to 2 months fresh, while other brands of mayonnaise may last upwards of 6 months without issue.
How can I tell if mayo is bad?
While it’s not always easy to tell if mayonnaise has gone bad just by looking at it, the smell, texture, and taste will provide dead giveaways regarding the state of the condiment. If mayo is bad, the smell may be more rancid and sour, almost like vinegar.
The taste of old mayo will also be noticeably more tangy and sour and less smooth and creamy. This is a clear indicator that the mayo you currently have has gone bad.
Final Conclusion
While there is no distinct way to immediately tell if mayo has gone bad after sitting out of the fridge, using your senses can help determine if the mayo is suitable for consumption.
Ultimately, avoid keeping mayo out of the fridge any longer than 6 hours in total, especially if it is a dairy or egg-based mayonnaise.
