Shelf Life Tips
- How long does peanut butter last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep opened peanut butter tightly covered at all times and store in a cool, dark area.
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Can you keep opened peanut butter at room temperature? Yes, commercially processed peanut butter that contains stabilizers can be stored at room temperature; pantry storage will allow opened peanut butter to spread more easily.
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How long does opened peanut butter last at room temperature? Commercially processed peanut butter that contains stabilizers will typically keep well at room temperature for about 3 months after opening.
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How long does opened peanut butter last in the refrigerator? Commercially processed peanut butter that contains stabilizers will typically keep well in the refrigerator for about 6 months (or 3 months after storing it at room temperature for 3 months).
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Is opened peanut butter safe to use after the "expiration date"? Yes, provided it has been stored properly, the jar is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially packaged peanut butter will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before, or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the peanut butter will remain at peak quality.
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The storage time shown for opened peanut butter is for best quality only - after that, the peanut butter's texture, color or flavor may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe to consume if it has been kept continuously refrigerated, the jar is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below).
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How can you tell if opened peanut butter is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the peanut butter: if the peanut butter develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
