If you’re like most McDonald’s fans, you probably have a few packets of their famous Big Mac sauce stocked away in your pantry. But how long will that sauce last, and when is it time to toss it? Here’s what you need to know about the shelf life of McDonald’s Big Mac sauce. Spoiler alert: It lasts for quite a while!
How long does McDonald’s sauce last? Unopened McDonald’s sauces, when refrigerated, will last for 8 months, while opened McDonald’s sauces last for up to 3 days; otherwise, they will dry out and lose their flavor. If you store McDonald’s sauces in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place, they will last for 6 months.
All McDonald’s sauces have a “best-by” date on the packaging, and it is not recommended to use the sauce after that date.
Even though the general shelf life of unopened McDonald’s sauces is 6-8 months, it is still not a universal rule. The shelf life of McDonald’s condiments depends on their ingredients – for example, vinegar-based sauces will last longer than butter-based ones. Let’s look at all 10 sauces and condiments McDonald’s has to offer in the USA and see how long they last (provided the sauce is unopened).
Tangy Barbecue Sauce Shelf Life
In the fridge: 6-9 months
In the pantry: 4-6 months
Taste and ingredients: McDonald’s BBQ sauce is made with a high-quality tomato paste, vinegar, and savory spices and has a sweet and smoke flavor. Since it has vinegar, it can be stored for up to 9 months in the fridge if unopened. Opened BBQ sauce should be consumed within a week.
Spicy Buffalo Sauce Shelf Life
In the fridge: 9-12 months
In the pantry: 6-8 months
Taste and ingredients: McDonald’s Spicy Buffalo sauce is made with vinegar and pepper, so it can last for up to a year in the fridge when unopened. Spicy Buffalo sauce easily keeps for months past the printed “best by” date, but we still recommend opting for fresh versions. McDonald’s Spicy Buffalo sauce is spicy and has a smooth buttery note with a nice peppery kick.
Creamy Ranch Sauce Shelf Life
In the fridge: 9-10 months
In the pantry: 6-8 months
Taste and ingredients: McDonald’s is made of buttermilk, salt, mustard, herbs, garlic, and onion. It has a rich, creamy, and savory flavor with buttery notes and can be kept in the fridge for up to 10 months or up to 8 months in the pantry. Since ranch sauce is made of buttermilk, it is not recommended to use after its “best by” date.
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Honey Mustard Sauce Shelf Life
In the fridge: up to 16 months
In the pantry: up to 12 months
Taste and ingredients: Made with zesty dijon mustard and honey, this condiment has an extremely long shelf life – up to 16 months in the fridge and up to a year in the pantry. This sauce tastes sweet and zesty and makes a delicious condiment for chicken nuggets.
Honey Shelf Life
In the fridge: do not store honey in the fridge
In the pantry: indefinite
Taste and ingredients: Honey does not expire if kept in the dark, cool, and well-ventilated place away from humidity and direct sunlight.
Sweet ‘N Sour Sauce Shelf Life
In the fridge: 10-12 months
In the pantry: 8 months
Taste and ingredients: McDonald’s sweet ‘n sour sauce is made with peach, apricot, and spices. It has a shelf life of up to a year in the fridge or 8 months in the pantry.
Ketchup Shelf Life
In the fridge: up to 9 months
In the pantry: up to 18 months
Taste and ingredients: Made with ripe tomatoes, unopened McDonald’s ketchup should be kept at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Once opened, ketchup should be kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Mustard Shelf Life
In the fridge: up to 16 months
In the pantry: up to 24 months
Taste and ingredients: McDonald’s tangy and spicy mustard lasts almost forever – up to 2 years in the pantry! Unopened mustard is best to be kept at room temperature, and opened mustard should be refrigerated and used within 2 weeks.
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Mayonnaise Shelf Life
In the fridge: 5-6 months
In the pantry: do not store mayo in the pantry
Taste and ingredients: McDonald’s mayo is made with mustard flour, egg yolk, and vinegar, so it is best to be kept in the fridge. This condiment lasts for up to 6 months. Avoid storing mayo in the pantry.
Tartar Sauce Shelf Life
In the fridge: up to 9 months
In the pantry: up to 6 months
Taste and ingredients: Made with pickle relish, onion, and parsley, McDonald’s tartar sauce tastes creamy and savory and lasts for up to 9 months in the fridge. Once opened, we recommend using the sauce within a week.
Do McDonald’s Sauces Need to Be Refrigerated?
According to the McDonald’s website, all of their sauces can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place. However, many people still prefer to refrigerate their sauces, just to be on the safe side. While there is no risk of food poisoning from consuming sauce that has been left out at room temperature, it can cause the sauce to spoil more quickly.
Refrigerating McDonald’s sauces can help to prolong their shelf life and prevent them from going bad. If you are unsure whether or not a particular sauce needs to be refrigerated, it is always best to err on the side of caution and refrigerate it.
That said, it is not obligatory to refrigerate McDonald’s sauces; however, you can do so to extend their shelf life.
How to Tell If McDonald’s Sauce Has Gone Off?
First, check the packet for any signs of leaks or punctures. If the packet is leaking or punctured, the sauce inside is likely spoiled and should not be consumed. Next, take a look at the color of the sauce. If it has changed colors or looks darker than usual, it may be time to toss it. See if the sauce has signs of mold or if its consistency has changed, for example, if the sauce has become thicker or more watery.
If the abovementioned criteria are okay, but you are still not sure if the sauce is fresh, smell it. If your McDonald’s sauce smells rancid, sour, or pungent, it is probably bad and should not be eaten. You can also try the sauce – if it has a pronounced sour, bitter, or acidic flavor, it is no longer fresh and needs to be chucked away.
If you’re unsure whether your sauce is fresh, just chuck it away, it is not worth the risk of food poisoning! To extend the shelf life of your McDonald’s sauce, be sure to store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. You can also keep it refrigerated for even longer storage.
Conclusion
So there you have it! With proper storage, unopened McDonald’s sauces can last for up to 8 months, while opened condiments should be consumed within 5 days. But if you’re not sure whether or not the sauce is still good, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and throw it out.
How Long Does McDonald’s Sauce Last? FAQ
Do Mcdonald’s sauces have expiration dates?
All McDonald’s sauces have “best-by” dates printed on the packaging. It is not recommended to use the sauce after that date.
How long do McDonald’s sauces last in the fridge?
Unopened McDonald’s sauces last up to 8 months in the fridge, while opened McDonald’s sauces will only last for up to 5 days, but we recommend using them within 2-3 days to prevent drying out and bacteria growing.
