Shelf Life Tips
- How long does ranch salad dressing last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize the shelf life of opened ranch salad dressing, keep it refrigerated and tightly covered.
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How long does opened ranch salad dressing last in the refrigerator? Ranch salad dressing that has been continuously refrigerated will generally stay at best quality for about 6 to 9 months.
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Is opened ranch salad dressing safe to use after the expiration date on the package? Yes, provided it has been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially packaged ranch salad dressing 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 ranch salad dressing will remain at peak quality.
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The storage time shown for opened ranch salad dressing is for best quality only - after that, the salad dressing'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 package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below).
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How can you tell if opened ranch salad dressing is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the ranch salad dressing: if the salad dressing 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
