How Long Does Vegan Mayo Last?

Have you recently purchased some vegan mayo and want to know how long it will last you? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we will be looking at the preservation of this particular condiment and what you can expect. Here is what you need to know.

So, how long does vegan mayo last? Store-bought vegan mayo can last for up to six months if stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge. Freshly made vegan mayo, on the other hand, may only last up to two weeks even if kept in the fridge before there is a noticeable degradation in the quality. 

It ultimately depends on the type of vegan mayo we are talking about here.

Store-bought typically lasts much longer.

Besides, it has been designed to last; often, preservatives are even added to keep it fresh.

That being said, there are numerous different brands on the market and will not have the same ingredients.

And then we have personal preferences to take into account too.

Some of you reading may not notice a change in the quality, others may start to notice a subtle change over time, and that may be enough to put you off.

Nevertheless, the fridge is the best place to store your vegan mayo.

But does it have to be kept in there?

Let’s find out and then answer some more questions about storing this particular sauce.

Does Vegan May Need To Be Refrigerated?

Most brands and recipes of vegan mayo do not need to be refrigerated – either before or after it has been opened. That being said, once opened or made, vegan mayo will likely retain its quality for longer if it has been refrigerated.

What is most important is that vegan mayo is not left to sit directly in sunlight or in warm temperatures.

That way, the oils may start to oxidize, and the quality will ultimately suffer.

So instead, you need to ensure it is kept in a cool, dry place.

The fridge is ideal for this, and it is something you should look to do if you do intend to keep your vegan mayo for a little while.

That being said, most brands and recipes should be okay to be kept in a cupboard, drawer, or in the pantry.

Just be mindful that it may not last as long, depending on the ingredients.

Either way, if you are opting for a store-bought option, do check the product packaging, or better yet, reach out to the manufacturer to find out what they recommend.

Usually, they will advise refrigerating, but this is not always the case.

Either way, the key to preserving vegan mayo is to keep it in an airtight container away from the air, moisture, and warm temperatures.

How Do You Know If Vegan Mayo Is Bad?

The best way to identify that vegan mayo has gone bad is by the look and smell. After that, the taste is your next best way to identify a vegan mayo is past its best.

There’s no need to jump right to the taste test.

So first, look at the mayo and look for any visible changes in color, or perhaps even the presence or growth of mold.

Now, this shouldn’t happen unless the mayo has been contaminated with other food.

But this can happen, and in this instance, it’s best to throw it away and replace it.

If the eye test is a pass, then next is onto the smell.

Open the jar and give the mayo a whiff; does it smell as you remember? Or are you getting an overly acidic smell?

If in doubt, again, it’s best to throw it out and replace it.

Besides, it’s pretty cheap to replace if you get it from Amazon.

But if it also passes the smell test, you may want to proceed to try a small amount.

Again, does it taste as expected or like before?

Or are the notes stronger or less tasteful?

At this point, you can make a judgment call if the vegan mayo is still good to eat or if you are going to need to get a new jar/make a new batch.

One thing to consider here is that separation is likely with vegan mayo.

Particularly if it has not been used in a while.

In this instance, a simple stir with a fork – mixing the oil back into the other ingredients should be enough to bring the sauce back to its original best.

Separation is likely as this sauce is an emulsion; it does not necessarily mean it has gone off.

Although, it is one such way to identify a sauce that has not been used in a long time and is, therefore, more at risk of having spoiled.

Can You Use Expired Vegan Mayo?

You should be able to consume expired mayo so long as it has been stored appropriately and has not been contaminated with other foods. 

That being said, it may not taste as satisfying as it should, nor will the flavor and texture necessarily be at its best.

Of course, it ultimately depends on the brand and ingredients.

But, for the most part, this is not a condiment that will typically result in illness if you eat it beyond its expiry date.

Besides, if you look closely, vegan mayo will typically include a “best before” date as opposed to an “expiry date.”

Finally

You should get between 2 weeks and six months out of your vegan mayo, at the very least.

Of course, it does depend on whether we are talking about a store-bought option or one made fresh and from scratch.

For the latter, you are not going to get as much time from it, even if you go about storing it appropriately.

It will likely degrade in quality much faster.

Store-bought brands, on the other hand, you have a lot more time here, generally.

In fact, some people will even state their vegan mayo never really goes off…

Others may see, smell or taste the degradation.

It’s personal.

For me, my vegan mayo never typically lasts beyond the 2-week mark anyway.

I can’t help myself, but that’s a topic for another time!

Related Questions

Wondering how long other sauces typically last? Check out my other guides here: