Does Ketchup Need to Be Refrigerated? (What Experts Say)

I recently became aware of a nationwide controversy over whether ketchup should be refrigerated after opening. The two sides to this debate are lined up toe-to-toe, with one side declaring that ketchup must be refrigerated after opening while their opponents scoff at this notion and say it is perfectly fine to just leave it on the table or counter after opening. After all, they say, restaurants leave it out all the time. So, I contacted the experts at the major ketchup companies to get a definitive answer, and this is what I found out.

Ketchup is “shelf-stable” and does not need to be refrigerated. Even once opened, ketchup does not need to be refrigerated unless you are not going to use it up within about a month. This is because unrefrigerated opened ketchup will last 4-6 weeks. Refrigerated, it will last up to a year.

My personal opinion as an old-timer who has been cooking, canning, and preserving all types of foods for 60+ years is that ketchup doesn’t require refrigeration as long as it doesn’t hang around for longer than 4 to 6 weeks.

When ketchup was created and first marketed, refrigeration was not widely available, so the recipe for and the process by which it was first created had built-in preservation safeguards such as ingredients like sugar, vinegar, and salt, which are in fact preservatives, and the canning process to bottle or package it was designed to keep it good until opened.

Now let’s explore the subject in greater detail.

What Ketchup Companies Say About The Issue

The leading manufacturers of ketchup, Heinz, Hunt’s, and Del Monte, all seem to agree that their products will last for at least one month after opening with no refrigeration and up to one year with refrigeration.

Let’s all note that these time periods relate to the products that contain sugar, salt, and vinegar, which are all preservatives, and not to sugar-free or low-sodium versions.

Del Monte

Loren Druz, the director of consumer products research and development at Del Monte Foods, Inc., has made the following statement:

“Ketchup can be stored in the pantry prior to opening. After being opened ketchup must be stored in the refrigerator.”

Heinz

In a recent telephone call to the consumer services department of the Kraft Heinz Company, I was given the following information in response to my question as to whether their ketchup products have to be refrigerated after opening:

“Refrigeration is recommended after opening for the best freshness and flavor. If left unrefrigerated it would be safe to use. We recommend refrigeration because it is a processed product, however, the acid ingredients including vinegar help keep it from spoiling if left out. Excessive heat may cause the product to darken and may change the flavor of the ketchup.”

Hunt’s

A spokesperson from Hunt’s reported the following:

“It’s all a matter of preference. Hunt’s has great tomato taste in the fridge or right off the shelf. It’s truly a matter of choice.”

Although most major manufacturers of ketchup agree that their products last at least one month after opening without refrigeration and one year with refrigeration, Hunt’s and now Heinz has placed themselves on the side of the debate that has determined their ketchup products to be safe to leave unrefrigerated after opening.

How Long Does Ketchup Last Once Opened?

How long ketchup lasts depends on many things, including the ingredients, how it was processed, and how it is stored before and after the jar is opened.

But, generally speaking, here are recommendations for how long ketchup lasts after opening with refrigeration and without:

• Type 1, or the most common type containing sugar, salt, and vinegar: Lasts 1 year when refrigerated, 1 month when not refrigerated.
• Type 2, or low-sugar variety, should always be refrigerated after opening.
• Type 3, or any variety that contains a reduced amount of salt, which is a preservative, should always be refrigerated after opening.
• Type 4, organic, should be considered a regular version unless there are reduced amounts of sugar and/or salt.

Here is the shelf life of a few common types of ketchup:

Type	Shelf Life In Fridge	Table Shelf Life
Type 1- Regular Version	1 Year	1 Month
Type 2- No Sugar Added	1 Year	Do not leave out
Type 3- No Salt Added	1 Year	Do not leave out
Type 4- Organic	1 Year	1 Month

How to Tell if Ketchup Has Gone Bad

• Discoloration- Usually, the first sign that ketchup has gone bad will be discoloration. It will no longer be red but will begin to look brownish rather than a bright red. At this point, the ketchup may still be good, and a taste test should confirm whether it is still good to eat, but if in doubt, throw it out.
• Bad Smell- You may detect an odd odor when you open the bottle. If this occurs, the best thing to do is to err on the side of caution and pitch it out.
• Mold Present- If mold is growing on your ketchup, there is no doubt that the entire bottle of ketchup may be contaminated by the bacteria which is causing the mold to grow and the entire contents should be discarded.

Things That Help Ketchup Last Longer

Here are some common sense practices that can help to keep your ketchup good for a longer period of time:

• Store the unopened bottle in a cool, dark, and dry area, such as a pantry or cabinet that is away from any light or heat source. Check out my article on ideal storage conditions for more detailed information.
• Refrigerate after opening if you do not expect to use the entire bottle within one month.
• Once refrigerated, continue to keep it refrigerated.
• If not refrigerated after opening:
  • Keep the jar lidded to avoid airborne contamination.
  • Use a spoon or other utensil that is dedicated solely to that jar/container of ketchup to avoid cross-contamination with other food.
  • Keep the outside and rim of the container and the jar lid clean to avoid contamination.
  • Store the jar in a cool, dry place such as a pantry or cabinet and not on a countertop or tabletop where it may come into contact with a bright light, a heat source, or direct sunlight.

What to do if You Have too Many Opened Bottles of Ketchup

If you find you have several bottles of ketchup that have been opened:

1. If unrefrigerated, immediately put opened bottles into the refrigerator.
2. Make it a point to serve foods you use ketchup with, such as hamburgers and French fries, more often until the excess is used up.
3. Make a batch of barbecue sauce to use up your extra supply of ketchup.
4. Make cocktail sauce by adding horseradish to ketchup.
5. Make thousand island salad dressing by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.
6. Make Russian salad dressing.

See below for some examples of recipes that use ketchup as an ingredient.

What Makes Certain Types Go Bad Faster, What Makes Them Keep Longer?

Certain types, such as sugar-free or low-sodium ketchup (Amazon Link) will not keep as long as the regular version because they do not contain a sufficient amount of the natural preservatives such as sugar, salt, or vinegar to help extend their life. I would not recommend leaving any type of ketchup except the regular version unrefrigerated after opening. The regular versions to be considered safe to leave unrefrigerated after opening, should contain at least 4% sugar and 150 grams of salt.

Please note that ketchup sweetened with honey should be considered a normal version since honey, like sugar, acts as a preservative.

Types that would not be safe to ever leave unrefrigerated

In my opinion, sugar-free, reduced sugar (less than 4% sugar), or a low-sodium version of ketchup such as Heinz “No Sugar Added,” Heinz “No Salt Added,” and Hunt’s “100% Natural” are never safe to leave unrefrigerated after opening.

This is because the sugar, salt, and vinegar are some of the ingredients which, along with the high-acid tomatoes, act as preservatives to allow you to leave the ketchup in your kitchen unrefrigerated for up to one month after opening. Since these products do not contain a sufficient amount of all those natural preservatives, they should never be left unrefrigerated after opening.

Interesting Facts About the Product and a Brief History

The history of ketchup is quite interesting in that it started life in China as a fermented sauce pronounced ke-chiap which was used in cooking and was made not from tomatoes but from fish, meat by-products, and soybeans. It then made its way around the world through early trade routes, during which time several different recipes were developed by using different products as a base.

The British discovered it in Singapore in the 18th Century and used it to season roasts and fried foods which had been extremely bland up until that time. English recipes from that era illustrated how the sauce was being transformed into a condiment more closely resembling Worcestershire sauce with the addition of ingredients such as pickled walnuts, wine, spices, and even mushrooms.

Finally, in 1812, a scientist from Philadelphia named James Mease published a tomato-based recipe closely resembling the ketchup we know and enjoy today.

In 1869, Henry John Heinz started a company that produced and sold horseradish that was made according to his mother’s recipe. That company failed, but in 1876, Heinz made ketchup a truly American product by marketing a tomato-based product spelled catsup which was advertised to have a long shelf-life, could be used in many different recipes, and could be shipped around the world.

American ketchup today is marketed successfully around the world even though many countries, such as Italy, Poland, Trinidad, and Canada, market their own versions. The American version has finally found its way back to China, the country of its creation, and is very popular there.

Why Is Ketchup Labeled “Tomato Ketchup?”

Ketchup is labeled as tomato ketchup because there are many different kinds of ketchup including:

• Anchovy-based Ketchup more like Worcestershire sauce than tomato ketchup.
• Banana Ketchup made from banana, sugar, vinegar, and spices that is very popular in the Philippines.
• Fish-based sauce from China that started the entire “catsup” or “ketchup” craze.
• Mushroom Ketchup, whose primary ingredient is mushrooms, is originally from the United Kingdom.

Recipes for Using Ketchup

Easy Baked Beans

Ingredients:

• 1 can of any brand of pork & beans
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into a baking dish and bake at 400 degrees for approximately 30 minutes, or until thickened.

Barbecue Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 1/2 tablespoons dry mustard

• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 dashes hot pepper sauce

Directions:

In a blender, combine brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with mustard, paprika, salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce. Blend until smooth.

Cocktail Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons raw horseradish, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
• ⅛ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 6 tablespoons ketchup

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients, mix well, and chill before serving.

Russian Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2/3 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Measure all ingredients into a small bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Thousand Island Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

Combine ingredients and blend until smooth.

Final Thoughts

A large part of the “ketchup debate” is the theory that because restaurants leave ketchup out all the time, it must be alright to leave it unrefrigerated. But, several large restaurant chains debunk this myth by saying that only the amount of ketchup expected to be used for each particular day is put out, and the large containers are kept refrigerated. Plus, any ketchup left in the bottles at the end of the day is emptied and thrown away.

As with any food product, safe handling practices must be followed to maintain good, high-quality, and safe foods to serve your family. Just remember, if you use a lot of ketchup and the bottle you just bought will be gone within a month, then, by all means, leave it out if you want. If you don’t use ketchup very much, and you just bought a super, king-size bottle, it will be best for you to keep it refrigerated.

Most ketchup bottles have directions on the label that instruct you to refrigerate after opening for maximum freshness, and, as with all items purchased from the grocery, there is a “Use By” or “Best By” date on the label that will give you a good idea how long you can safely use that particular bottle. Although the product doesn’t automatically become spoiled on the date listed, that is a good rule of thumb to go by to maintain the best possible product quality.

For more, don’t miss How Long Do Sauce and Condiment Packets Last? | What to Know.