Dairy Products & Eggs
How long does margarine last in the fridge?
Margarine keeps 6 months in the fridge from the day you buy it and 12 months in the freezer — buy the big tub without doing arithmetic.
How long does it keep?
| Fridge, from purchase | 6 months |
|---|---|
| Freezer, from purchase | 12 months |
Can you freeze margarine? YES, FREEZE IT →
Can it sit out?
Margarine is 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 margarine has gone bad
- A paint-like or rancid smell as the lid lifts
- Darkened, hardened crust around the rim of the tub
- Beads of water or oil separating out of the spread
When in doubt, throw it out.
Keep the lid on and the tub off the door shelf — margarine takes on onion and garlic smells from the fridge faster than butter does.
Quick answers
How long does margarine last in the fridge?
Margarine keeps 6 months in the fridge from the day you buy it and 12 months in the freezer — buy the big tub without doing arithmetic.
Can you freeze margarine?
Margarine takes the freezer better than almost anything else in the dairy aisle — 12 months, no texture penalty, no fuss.
How long can margarine sit out?
The FSIS 2-hour rule applies to margarine. 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).