Updated: Nov. 30, 2023
Do pickles need to be refrigerated? It's a fair question, and you might be surprised by the answer.
Different types of pickles sit under bright lights in the pantry section at your local grocery store. You wouldn’t be alone in grabbing a jar, spotting the “keep refrigerated after opening” message and wondering, do pickles need to be refrigerated? Here’s the deal (or should we say dill?) on storing pickles so they stay crisp and, more importantly, safe to eat. If you’re curious, you can discover if pickles are good for you!
Should pickles be refrigerated?
Open jars of pickled food should always be refrigerated—unless you have a root cellar or other storage space that stays a constant 34° to 40°F. Even some unopened jars should be stored in the refrigerator. For instance, if you bought them from a refrigerated display case, they’re likely unpasteurized and sold cold to keep the pickles crisp and free from harmful bacteria.
Unopened jars that have been pasteurized and sealed—the ones you find on grocery store shelves with other canned goods—can be stored at room temperature until you pop the lid open.
Also, checkwhat is a pickleall about!
How long do pickles last on the counter?
Like most other foods, pickles should be left out on the counter for no more than two hours. Despite being preserved in brine, bacteria can still form in the pickle jar. Even in two hours, pickles’ texture can start to change. Warm temperatures cause pickles to soften and lose their crunchy texture. Keeping them cool keeps them crisp.
Fridge-cold temperatures prevent mold and yeast from forming in the pickle jar, but other factors can affect the contents, too. Pickles that stay fully submerged in their brine, aka pickle juice, are less likely to spoil. Help pickles last even longer by reaching into the jar with a clean fork every time you want a crunchy snack, then screwing the lid on tight when you’re done.
How to Tell if Pickles Have Gone Bad
So we’ve answered the question, do pickles need to be refrigerated (yep). The next one to ask is, can pickles go bad? It’s not likely to happen if you store them properly, but it is possible.
When pickles go bad, you can usually see or smell it. If your pickles have any of these problems, throw them out or toss them in the compost:
- Change in the original color of the pickles or brine
- Unappealing smell
- Surface mold
- Slimy or mushy texture
- Bulging jar lid
- Fizzy brine
Can you store pickles in the freezer?
Pickles generally shouldn’t be stored in the freezer. Freezing and then defrosting can make them soft and mushy.
The exception is homemade freezer pickles, which are made by packing sliced vegetables in vinegar and sugar before they are frozen. They can have a surprisingly fresh, crisp texture when thawed and eaten straight from the fridge.
Does storage differ for canned vs. store-bought pickles?
Properly sealed pickles, whether store-bought or homemade using a steam canner or hot-water bath, can be stored in the same way. Put them in a cool, dark, dry place before you open the jar and in the refrigerator once you pop the lid.
If you bought pickles from a market’s refrigerated section, they need to go straight into your fridge. The same is true of homemade fermented, refrigerator or quick pickles. Those submerged in a vinegar brine might be refrigerated immediately or once the brine cools, depending on the pickle recipe. Fermenting might take weeks, after which refrigeration slows the process and keeps the pickles crisp.
FAQs
Even in two hours, pickles' texture can start to change. Warm temperatures cause pickles to soften and lose their crunchy texture. Keeping them cool keeps them crisp. Fridge-cold temperatures prevent mold and yeast from forming in the pickle jar, but other factors can affect the contents, too.
Do pickles need to be refrigerated after opened? ›
"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.
Do pickles go bad if not in fridge? ›
If the jars are properly heat-processed, both homemade and commercially sealed pickles can sit unopened at room temperature for years, says Julie Laing, author of The Complete Guide to Pickling. But eating them sooner will ensure the best texture and flavor.
What happens if you don t refrigerate pickle juice after opening? ›
Not much, short-term. Refrigeration is necessary to slow the fermentation process of the brine. Faster fermentation means it tastes sour faster, so if you forget to put the pickle jar away after having a midnight snack, don't fret — simply put it back in the fridge in the morning.
Why do kosher pickles need to be refrigerated? ›
Our Kosher Dills, Dill Relish and Sauerkraut are naturally fermented products and cured in salt water brine using a lacto-fermentation process. While salt brine will keep food safe for consumption for a little while without refrigeration, the cold keeps the crunch!
How long can pickles sit unrefrigerated? ›
Like most other foods, pickles should be left out on the counter for no more than two hours. Despite being preserved in brine, bacteria can still form in the pickle jar. Even in two hours, pickles' texture can start to change. Warm temperatures cause pickles to soften and lose their crunchy texture.
Are refrigerated pickles better for you? ›
However, if you're looking for a pickle to support gut health, you'll have to select from the pickles in the refrigerated aisle. “The pickles that are beneficial for your gut health are the fermented ones, made by brining them in salt rather than vinegar,” says Dr.
Does ketchup need to be refrigerated after opening? ›
Unless you're a busy diner going through and refilling ketchup bottles every day or two, you should store your ketchup in the fridge. This is because, just like pickles, the flavor and texture declines after you open the bottle or jar and the ketchup is exposed to air.
Can bacteria grow in pickle juice? ›
Any exposed pickle or brine becomes a breeding ground for microbes that will spoil the whole batch.
How to know if pickles went bad? ›
Bad smell in jar of pickles: Spoiled pickles will smell bad and unpleasantly sour. If the smell makes you recoil or is foul, the jar has gone bad. Discolored pickles or brine: All pickles are stored in brine. If the pickles have gone bad, both the pickles themselves and the brine will be discolored and/or cloudy.
When asked why the word isn't on the front of the jars, all three companies provided nearly the same answer: They feel the word “pickle” isn't necessary on pickles packaged in clear glass containers.
What is the difference between kosher pickles and regular pickles? ›
Kosher pickles are made according to Jewish dietary laws, while regular pickles may be made using any ingredients and processing methods. Kosher pickles are typically made with a salt brine and flavored with garlic and dill, while regular pickles may be pickled with vinegar and flavored with sugar and other spices.
Why pickles should not be stored? ›
Curd or pickle reacts with metals. This reaction will initiate the formation of toxic compounds which may be unfit for human consumption and may cause food poisoning. Thus, pickles and curd are not stored in metallic utensils.
Do you have to refrigerate oh snap pickles? ›
products need to be refrigerated? Absolutely! Keeping your Oh Snaps cool helps to maintain their crunch. Pouches can be left unrefrigerated for a few hours with no noticeable change, but products are best enjoyed cold.
Does vinegar need to be refrigerated after opening? ›
To preserve a consistent flavor profile, it's not a bad idea to store your vinegar in a cool, dark place, such as the aforementioned cabinet, but it's not necessary to put it in the fridge. Save that room for condiments that actually say “refrigerate after opening”, and I will reluctantly start following my own advice.
Do cucumbers need to be refrigerated? ›
Do Cucumbers Need to Be Refrigerated? Contrary to what you may think, cucumbers are most comfortable in a cool and dry environment that is warmer than refrigeration allows (50 to 55 degrees F). This is why we recommend storing them in the warmest zone of your refrigerator, like the door.
