How long does Mayonnaise last?
Mayonnaise lasts 2 months in the fridge. Spoilage signs to check, storage tips, and cited food-safety sources.
Quick answer
Can I still eat it?
Use this as a conservative screen before you rely on the storage window. If anything seems unsafe, discard it.
Use whole days since it was opened, cooked, or bought.
Sealed / unopened: Unopened: pantry until best-by (commercial shelf-stable)
Signs Mayonnaise has gone bad
- Sharp acidic or sour smell, yellow-brown discoloration, watery separation.
- Any mold growth.
Discard immediately if
- Rancid, yeasty, or otherwise abnormal smell; visible mold
- Past about 2 months refrigerated after opening (commercial), or past a shorter package instruction
- Homemade egg mayonnaise past a few days refrigerated, or left unrefrigerated more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F/32°C)
Why guidance varies
Vinegar, salt, sugar, and acidity content vary widely by brand and formulation — natural and reduced-sugar versions spoil 2–3× faster than traditional ones.
Get a heads-up before it expires. Search the full database instead.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mayonnaise last?
In the fridge: 2 months. Sealed / unopened: Unopened: pantry until best-by (commercial shelf-stable). Commercial mayonnaise is acidified and shelf-stable until opened. After opening, refrigerate and use within about 2 months (or a shorter package instruction). Do not freeze. Homemade mayonnaise made with raw egg is highly perishable: refrigerate promptly and use within a few days.
How can you tell if Mayonnaise has gone bad?
Signs that Mayonnaise has gone bad: Sharp acidic or sour smell, yellow-brown discoloration, watery separation; Any mold growth.
What does the date label on Mayonnaise mean?
Mayonnaise usually carries a "Best By" date. A quality marker — the product is at peak quality before this date, but it’s safe to eat afterward if stored correctly. See our date-labels guide for the full breakdown.
Sources for this answer
- A USDA FSIS — Steps to Keep Food Safe — Mayonnaise, commercial, refrigerate after opening: about 2 months refrigerator; do not freeze.
- A USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data — Commercial mayonnaise refrigerated storage after opening differs from homemade egg mayonnaise.