Pickles are a delicious and healthy addition to your sandwiches and burgers, or just for a quick and easy snack with a snap. But have you ever taken a bite from a pickle that just didn't taste right? We spoke with a pickle expert to find out if pickles go bad, and how to make sure you're storing them correctly.
Do pickles go bad?
Yes. Like any other food, pickles can go bad. No matter what veggie is being pickled, whether it's a classic cucumber, snap peas or even mini bell peppers, they can go bad for a couple reasons:
- Age: Like any food, pickles won't last forever. But they may be consumed past the "Best- by" date if no signs of spoiling are present (more on that below).
- Improper storage: If your pickles haven't been properly stored, especially after opening, this can lead to faster spoilage.
How to tell if pickles have gone bad?
Here are a few signs your pickles are a little too far gone:
- Visible mold: This is an obvious sign that your pickles have gone bad.
- Unusually sour taste and smell: If things smell and taste a bit more sour than usual, in an unpleasant way, this may not be a good sign. If you're not liking the taste anyway, it may be time to toss those pickles.
- Off colors and textures: If your pickles are looking mushy with off coloring and the brine isn't looking as clear as usual, it's time to say goodbye.
- Bulging jar: This could mean your pickles were not sealed properly and there is carbon dioxide present, an indicator that they have begun to ferment or that harmful bacteria may be present.
That being said, there haven't been any food-borne illnesses reported from commercial pickles in the U.S. for much of the past 50 years, according to the USDA. Pickled-caused food poisoning is very rare.
"With a fresh pickle like ours, if you see the top of the lid domed up or bubbled, this typically means the product has fermented and gone bad," says Eddie Andre, director of brand experience at Grillo's Pickles. "This can happen with our pickles due to temperature abuse (getting warm) or too much oxygen in the jar causing the pickles to ferment at a much faster rate. This happens because we make everything cold and fresh to order without boiling or pasteurizing our product." If your pickle juice is fizzy like soda, this also is an indicator it has begun to fermented and go bad.
How to store pickles
For fresh pickles, like Grillo's, that are carried in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, make sure they stay in the refrigerator at home before and after opening (cold temperatures prevent fermentation). "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. On a shelf in your refrigerator's door is a common place to store jarred items, but inside the fridge where you can ensure your pickles stay cold may be a better spot. Though it's not necessary, you can store unopened pickle jars in the fridge if you have the room, but the pantry is also just fine.
And just in case you can't eat all of your pickles in the fridge before they start turning bad, freezing them can be an option. However, Grillo's "wouldn't recommend it." Andre says, "If Grillo's freeze, they tend to become transparent and get very mushy. We do, however, encourage freezing the brine and making pickle juice pops!" (But not if your salt sensitive!)
What if I ate expired pickles?
Even if your pickles are past the marked date, as long as there are no obvious signs of spoilage, you'll likely be okay if they have been properly stored. But just because there are no visible signs of spoilage, the quality still may not be up to par with what you're used to. "We wouldn't encourage eating expired pickles because the taste alone wouldn't represent the quality of our product," says Andre.
But if you see even one of the above signs present and the pickles aren't yet past their expiration date (or if they have passed the expiration date), it may be time to toss them and make sure you adhere to proper storage guidelines for your next jar.
Bottom line
Pickles can go bad, but even so, they are rarely a cause for food safety concerns. Try and use up your pickles within three months of purchase, if you can. And be on the look out for any off colors, tastes, smells or textures—let your senses be your guide!
Now that you've increased your pickle knowledge, dredge them in a breadcrumb mix to make Oven-Fried Pickles, which pair perfectly with herby sour cream, or, if you have an air-fryer, try these Crispy Air-Fryer Pickle Chips.
FAQs
Pickles do expire and for various reasons, including improper storage, being stored in a damaged container or not being made with enough vinegar or salt. Store-bought jarred pickles stay fresh for longer, but freshly made pickles can expire quickly if stored incorrectly.
Can you eat pickles after the expiration date? ›
Even if your pickles are past the marked date, as long as there are no obvious signs of spoilage, you'll likely be okay if they have been properly stored. But just because there are no visible signs of spoilage, the quality still may not be up to par with what you're used to.
Do pickles go bad in fridge? ›
Like all perishable foods, they should be stored in the refrigerator once opened. Assuming nothing has gotten into the jar to cause your pickles to go bad, they should last up to three months in the coldest part of your fridge (i.e. towards the back).
Are 2 year old pickles still good? ›
An unopened jar of pickles can be stored at room temperature (i.e., the pantry) or in the fridge for up to two years past the expiration date. Once opened, pickles will stay fresh for roughly the same length of time as long as they are stored in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container.
When should you not eat pickles? ›
Sweet pickles aren't quite as high in sodium, but they still have plenty of it. And they're high in sugar. Because of their high levels of sodium, people who have heart issues should generally steer clear of pickles.
Is it okay to eat bad pickles? ›
Murky-looking brine and dull, brown, or faded-looking pickles are not safe to eat. Visible mold on pickles: If you see any mold on the pickles or floating in the brine, they have gone bad and are unsafe to consume.
Can pickles to last 3 years? ›
“We recommend that you use them within one year,” she says. “And that's more of a quality issue than a safety issue. From a safety standpoint, they should be fine for an extended period of time as long as people canned the food properly.”
Do pickles get better with age? ›
Yes, as pickles age, say between 6-12 months old, they tend to get tastier. This is true for 90% of pickles at our store. In fact, we hold and store the pickles in martabaans for at least 30-90 days, before sending out the first jar to a customer.
Why are my pickles fizzing? ›
What happens if a jar of Real Pickles is left out of refrigeration? The fermentation process will resume. After a few hours at warm temperatures, some carbonation may develop in the jar, leading to a fizzy or tingling sensation on the tongue.
Why pickles do not spoil? ›
Salt and oil do not allow moisture and air to enter the material and hence bacteria cannot thrive on them. Therefore, pickles do not get spoiled for months together. Q.
Olive all use the term on their websites, in advertisem*nts, and in the product descriptions of their pickle varieties. 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.
Can pickle brine go bad? ›
If pickle brine preserves the food, then it makes sense it should last. But does pickle brine ever go bad? The short answer is yes, pickle brine will eventually go bad.
Do pickles really have an expiration date? ›
Once you've opened the jar, you can refrigerate the pickles for one to three months. Unopened pickle jars can be refrigerated for up to 12 months. However, they may still be good past their expiration date if stored properly. Your best bet is to seal the jar before placing it in the fridge.
How long is pickle relish good after the expiration date? ›
Ketchup, Mustard and Relish
Yellow mustard can be stored unopened for up to two years past its best before date, or for a year in the refrigerator after opening. Unopened pickle relish can be kept in your pantry for up to two and a half years, or up to nine months in the fridge after opening.
Can you eat pickled onions past their sell-by date? ›
An unopened jar of pickles should be OK for years. If it wasn't well packed, or the jar has been opened, it's still safe to eat, indefinitely. The salt and acid will no allow the growth of harmful bacteria, but the pickles will lose their shape and texture.
What does botulism look like in pickles? ›
In any type of pickle you have placed into a jar, a bulging lid is a sign of spoilage and possibly botulism. If you see this, discard the pickles, regardless if they smell bad or not. This is due to the gas given off by the bacteria.
How do you know if pickles are sweet or sour? ›
A quick pickle primer
- Dill. These are the most popular kind of pickle, made with fresh dill. ...
- Sour/half sour. These are pickles made in a brine that doesn't contain vinegar. ...
- Sweet. These pickles are made in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, water, and spices. ...
- Pickled peppers.
The short answer is yes, pickle brine will eventually go bad. “All items have a shelf life," Bec says.
Are hollow pickles safe to eat? ›
Since hollow cucumbers usually float they can be picked out easily when the cucumbers are washed. Use these cucumbers for relishes or chunk pickles. Pickles are safe to eat.
