Condiments, Sauces & Canned Goods
How long does chutney last in the fridge once opened?
An opened jar of chutney holds 1–2 months in the fridge, where a sealed one keeps 1 year in the pantry — wipe the rim before the lid goes back on.
How long does it keep?
| Pantry, from purchase | 1 year |
|---|---|
| Fridge, opened | 1–2 months |
Can it sit out?
Unopened, chutney is shelf-stable. Once opened, treat it as perishable — the FSIS 2-hour rule applies.
Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).
How to tell if chutney has gone bad
- Fuzzy spots of white, green, or black across the surface
- A boozy, fermenting smell with a fizz behind it
- Sugar crust and mold caked into the threads of the jar
- A lid that domes up or hisses when opened
When in doubt, throw it out.
Serve it with its own spoon, not the knife that’s been in the cheese — crumbs in the jar are what start the mold.
Quick answers
How long does chutney last in the fridge once opened?
An opened jar of chutney holds 1–2 months in the fridge, where a sealed one keeps 1 year in the pantry — wipe the rim before the lid goes back on.
How long can chutney sit out?
Sitting out isn’t the safety question for unopened chutney — once opened, the FSIS 2-hour rule applies. Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).