How long does peanut butter last?
Unopened, it keeps in the fridge for about 12 months. Once opened, it keeps in the pantry for about 2 months.
Product: Peanut butter in a jar.
Shelf life of peanut butter at a glance
| Storage | Unopened | Opened |
|---|---|---|
| Pantry | 6 months | 2 months |
| Fridge | 12 months | 3 months |
Keep it tightly closed at room temperature; it lasts longer in the fridge but gets firmer. Stir separated oil back in; if it smells rancid or bitter, it has spoiled. Natural peanut butter without additives is best kept in the fridge once opened.
Does peanut butter go bad?
Food past its date has not necessarily gone bad. The times on this page are guideline values for food stored properly. In the US, date labels are not required by federal law (infant formula is the exception), and most of them describe quality, not safety. A "Best if Used By" date is not an expiration date, and many products are still fine after it. A "Sell By" date is meant for the store, not for you. Look at the food and smell it before you taste a little. Mold, an off smell or a bulging can or lid means it goes in the trash. Take a "Use By" date on perishables such as meat, fish, deli meats and dairy seriously: eat or freeze them by that date.