Condiments, Sauces & Canned Goods

How long does homemade salad dressing last in the fridge?

2 weeks
Fridge, opened — USDA FoodKeeper guidance for salad dressing (homemade)

Homemade dressing gets 2 weeks in the fridge — write the date on the jar, because there’s no label on it to argue with later.

How long does it keep?

Fridge, opened 2 weeks

Can it sit out?

Homemade salad dressing 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).

The 2-hour rule, in full →

How to tell if homemade salad dressing has gone bad

  • A rancid, crayon-ish smell off the oil
  • Cloudiness or fuzz gathering around the garlic and shallot bits
  • A slick, ropy pour it never had on day one

When in doubt, throw it out.

Olive oil goes solid in the cold — give the jar ten minutes on the counter and a shake rather than a spin in the microwave.

Quick answers

How long does homemade salad dressing last in the fridge?

Homemade dressing gets 2 weeks in the fridge — write the date on the jar, because there’s no label on it to argue with later.

How long can homemade salad dressing sit out?

The FSIS 2-hour rule applies to homemade salad dressing. 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).