Does peanut butter need to be refrigerated?

Author: Hillard Emmerich  |  Last update: Friday, September 5, 2025

An open jar of peanut butter stays fresh up to three months in the pantry. After that, it's recommended to store the peanut butter in the fridge (where it can maintain its quality for another 3-4 months). If you don't refrigerate, oil separation can occur.

Will peanut butter go bad if not refrigerated?

According to The National Peanut Board, an unopened jar of peanut butter can last six to nine months at room temperature. Once opened, they say that it can last two to three months in the pantry before you should move it to the fridge, where it can maintain quality for another three to four months.

Does Jiffy peanut butter have to be refrigerated after opening?

Unopened and stored in a cool, dry area, Jif® peanut butter will last about two years (refer to the “Best If Used By” date). After opening, you can keep Jif® peanut butter about three months on the pantry shelf.

Why do you have to refrigerate peanut butter after opening?

In addition to slowing oil separation in natural peanut butter, refrigeration also preserves the flavor of peanut butter for longer. If you go through a jar of peanut butter quickly it's not an issue, but if it takes months it will lose some flavor or even go rancid. Not an acute health concern, just one of enjoyment.

Does Skippy peanut butter need to be refrigerated after opening?

SKIPPY® Peanut Butter opened or not is happiest when stored at room temperature. You can refrigerate it to savour its flavour for longer, but know that when refrigerated, it doesn't spread as easily. You should also know that SKIPPY® Peanut Butter doesn't like being too cold, so keep it freezer-free!

The Best Homemade Peanut Butter for Business. Peanut Butter Machine.

What happens if you don't refrigerate nut butter after opening?

Because they do not contain any artificial preservatives or stabilizers, they can become rancid if left out of refrigeration for an extended period of time and/or exposed to warm temperatures.

Does ketchup need to be refrigerated?

Ketchup can be kept unrefrigerated for up to one month, but if you don't think you'll finish the bottle in that timeframe, it's best to keep it in the refrigerator.

How to store peanut butter without a fridge?

Processed brands of peanut butter are made to have a long shelf life thanks to the addition of stabilizers like palm oil and hydrogenated oils, so once opened, they're fine to store in a cool, dry cupboard.

What is the healthiest peanut butter brand?

The 13 Most Healthy Peanut Butters To Eat
  • via Santa Cruz Organic.
  • via Justin's Classic Peanut Butter.
  • via Adams.
  • via Once Again.
  • via 365 Whole Foods Market.
  • via Spread the Love.
  • via Smucker's.
  • via Trader Joe's.

How long can a PBJ go unrefrigerated?

Homemade sandwiches are a bit different and they should ideally be consumed within 24 hours if left at room temperature or in your lunch box. However, if stored in the refrigerator, they may last 2-3 days. Freezing isn't commonly done, but if you do freeze your sandwiches, they can last 1-3 months.

Do you have to refrigerate Smuckers peanut butter after opening?

Do I have to refrigerate Smucker's peanut butter? The food items we produce are classified as non-perishable. Refrigeration is not necessary, although it does slow down the oil-separation process.

Does jelly need to be refrigerated?

A: Opened home-canned jams and jellies should be kept in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower.

Does peanut butter help you sleep?

Rich in nutrients, vitamins, and heart-healthy fats, peanut butter contains tryptophan, which aids in relaxation and sleep induction. Other nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews also support healthy sleep due to their melatonin, magnesium, and zinc content.

Is 2 year old peanut butter safe to eat?

A commercial and unopened peanut butter will last nine months in the pantry. The natural and unopened peanut butter will last around six months or more in the fridge.

Does Jif peanut butter need to be refrigerated?

The USDA confirms that conventional peanut butter can be stored in a cool, dry place like your pantry for 6 to 9 months (unopened) or 2 to 3 months (after opening). If you refrigerate conventional peanut butter after opening, it should be safe for 6 to 9 months.

What is the unhealthiest peanut butter?

12 Of The Unhealthiest Store-Bought Peanut Butters
  1. Peter Pan Creamy Original Peanut Butter. ...
  2. Reese's Creamy Peanut Butter Spread. ...
  3. Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread. ...
  4. Peter Pan Creamy Peanut Butter and Honey Spread. ...
  5. Smucker's Reduced Fat Natural Style Creamy Peanut Butter.

What is America's best selling peanut butter?

The U.S. peanut butter market is dominated by a few key players, with some shifts in consumer behavior impacting sales:
  • Jif: 32% of market share.
  • Skippy: 19%
  • Peter Pan: 13%
  • Justin's: 6%
  • Smucker's: 4%

What happens if you don't refrigerate peanut butter?

An open jar of peanut butter stays fresh up to three months in the pantry. After that, it's recommended to store the peanut butter in the fridge (where it can maintain its quality for another 3-4 months). If you don't refrigerate, oil separation can occur. Here's a run-down.

Are you supposed to refrigerate ketchup?

The guidelines at FoodSafety.gov state that shelf-stable products like mustard, mayo, barbecue sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce and salsa will benefit from being stored in the fridge. "Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time."

Can dogs eat peanut butter?

Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter? Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter, but it's important to check the label before spoiling your dog with this delicious treat as added ingredients could be harmful for them. For example, xylitol, a sugar substitute, is extremely toxic for dogs and can sometimes be found in peanut butter.

Should mayonnaise be refrigerated?

Mayonnaise. You may buy mayonnaise off a non-refrigerated shelf, but the second you pop the top, you must put it in the refrigerator. In fact, the USDA recommends opened mayo be tossed in the trash if its temperature reaches 50 degrees or higher for more than eight hours.

Why not put mustard in the fridge?

Next up, mustard. Note it does not need to be kept in the refrigerator. also thanks to those acidic ingredients. which prevent it from going bad.

Do eggs need to be refrigerated?

To reduce Salmonella growth, eggs gathered from laying hens should be refrigerated as soon as possible. After eggs are refrigerated, they need to stay that way. A cold egg left out at room temperature can sweat, facilitating the movement of bacteria into the egg.

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