Condiments, Sauces & Canned Goods: How Long They Keep

This is the pantry-then-fridge pattern in its purest form: sealed, most of these keep for a year or more on a shelf; opened, they move to the fridge and start a much shorter second window. How much shorter is the surprise. Some opened condiments hold for months while an opened jar of gravy or pasta sauce is down to days, and the fridge door holds both kinds side by side — so check the specific jar rather than assuming the vinegar rule covers the pesto. Homemade splits too: home-canned sauces get a pantry window of their own, while homemade broth, cranberry sauce, and dressings are fridge food from the start.