Pickled onions are a delicious condiment that can add flavor and crunch to sandwiches, burgers, salads and more. Many people enjoy keeping a jar of pickled onions in their fridge to use as needed. However, an opened jar of pickled onions will eventually reach its expiration or “use by” date. This leaves many pickled onion fans wondering – can you still eat them after the best before date has passed?
The short answer is yes, pickled onions can usually be safely consumed even after their printed expiration date, provided the jar is still sealed and the onions look and smell normal. However, they may start to lose quality and flavor after an extended period past the date.
Here’s a more in-depth look at how to tell if your jar of pickled onions is still good and safe to eat out of date.
Do Pickled Onions Go Bad?
Pickled onions are preserved through an acid and salt brining process that inhibits microbial growth. This preservation gives them a relatively long shelf life compared to fresh onions. However, they are not shelf-stable forever and can eventually spoil.
Some signs that your pickled onions have gone bad include:
- Mold growth inside the jar
- Soft or mushy texture
- Strange colors like orange, blue or green
- Unpleasant sour or rotten smell
- Fizzing, bulging or popped lid
If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s best to discard the onions. Consuming spoiled pickled products can potentially cause foodborne illness.
However, if your jar of pickled onions still looks, smells and tastes normal, it may still be fine to eat them past the printed date.
How to Tell if Pickled Onions are Still Good After the Expiration Date
To evaluate if your expired jar of pickled onions is still safe and good quality, check:
The Lid Seal
The lid on a properly sealed jar creates a vacuum that prevents outside air from entering and spoiling the contents. Before opening, check that the lid is still tightly sealed with no rust or dents along the rim.
Pop the lid open and listen for a vacuum “pop” sound. If it opens easily without resistance, that’s a sign air has entered and spoiled the onions.
Appearance
Dump the onions into a bowl and sort through them. They should still have a crisp, firm texture and uniform color. Soft or mushy spots indicate spoilage.
Look for any mold, sliminess or strange colors like blue, green or black, which are signs they have gone bad.
Smell
Take a big whiff inside the jar – properly pickled onions have a tangy, vinegary aroma. If you detect any sour, rotten or “off” odors, don’t eat them.
Taste
Taste a small piece of one onion. It should still have a pleasantly sour and salty pickled flavor. Rancid, bitter or foul taste means toss the whole jar.
As long as the pickled onions pass these sight, smell and taste checks, they should be fine to eat past the printed expiration date. But be aware the quality might start deteriorating.
How Long Do Pickled Onions Last After Opening?
An unopened jar of commercially packed pickled onions will typically display a “Best By” date around 1-2 years from the packaging date. However, that’s just a general guideline for peak quality, not a safety date.
After opening the jar, the shelf life decreases due to exposure to oxygen. But properly stored opened jars can still last:
- Refrigerator – Around 3-6 months past the printed date.
- Pantry – Around 1-2 months.
Over time, the onions start to lose their crunchy texture, turn soft, and their flavor fades. They may also gradually become paler in color. But even then, they are likely still safe to eat as long as the jar seal is intact and no mold develops.
You can extend the shelf life of an opened jar by storing it in the fridge, keeping the onions completely covered by the brine. The vinegar acts as a preservative.
How to Store Pickled Onions
To get the longest usable life out of your pickled onions after opening, store them properly:
- Refrigerate at 40°F or below.
- Keep the jar upright with the lid tightly sealed.
- Ensure onions remain fully submerged in the brine.
- Keep in the original jar – don’t transfer to a new container.
- Store away from direct sunlight.
Refrigeration slows down the growth of bacteria and molds. The acidic brine creates an environment where pathogenic microbes cannot survive.
Never leave an opened jar at room temperature, as the onions will deteriorate quickly without refrigeration.
Can You Freeze Pickled Onions?
Yes, pickling is a method of food preservation, so pickled products can be frozen for longer term storage.
To freeze pickled onions:
- Drain the vinegar brine from the jar.
- Spread onions in a single layer on a sheet pan and place in freezer until completely frozen.
- Transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Press out all air and seal.
- Label with date and return to freezer.
Properly frozen, the onions will keep for around 6-8 months before losing quality. Their texture may soften slightly upon thawing.
You can also freeze pickled onion brine. Pour it into ice cube trays or muffin tins, then freeze and pop out the vinegar cubes to store in bags. Add a cube back to thawed onions to restore the flavor.
Can You Refrigerate Opened Pickled Onions?
Yes, refrigeration after opening is key to preserving your pickled onions as long as possible. The cold temperature keeps microbial growth in check.
Store the jar towards the back of the fridge, where the temperature is coldest. Keep the lid sealed tight.
Refrigerating an opened jar of pickled onions can extend the shelf life for around 3-6 months past the “Best By” or expiration date on the label.
As long as the onions still look, smell and taste normal, they should be fine to eat. But their quality does slowly decline over time.
What Happens If You Eat Pickled Onions After The Expiration Date?
Tasting pickled onions a short time past their expiration date likely poses minimal risk if the jar seal remains intact.
However, consume at your own discretion. Over time, pathogens like yeasts, molds and bacteria can grow in old pickles, even if refrigerated.
Eating spoiled pickled products could potentially cause:
- Foodborne illness – Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
- Allergic reaction – Rash, swelling, anaphylaxis.
- Toxicity – Headaches, confusion, seizures.
Severe reactions are rare. But anyone sensitive to mold should avoid eating expired pickled items. If unsure, it’s better to be safe and throw very old pickles out.
How to Tell if Pickled Onions Have Gone Bad
Watch for these warning signs that indicate spoiled, inedible pickled onions:
- Mold – Any fuzzy growth inside the jar.
- Sliminess – Onions look or feel abnormally soft, slippery or mushy.
- Strange colors – Unnatural hues like green, yellow, blue or black.
- Odd odor – Strong “off” smell unlike vinegar.
- Fermentation – Bubbles or fizzing inside jar.
- Bulging lid – Pressured, loose or popped lid.
Discard the entire jar if you see any of these signs of spoiled pickled onions. Don’t taste ones that display abnormal characteristics.
Can You Eat Pickled Onions Left Out Overnight?
Pickled onions that have been left out at room temperature overnight are risky to eat. Without refrigeration for an extended time, bacteria can multiply quickly.
The acidic brine protects against some microbial growth. But leaving the jar unrefrigerated and opened introduces contamination.
If pickled onions are left out more than 2 hours, it’s best to be cautious and throw the jar away. Food safety experts recommend discarding any perishable pickled or fermented food left over 2 hours at room temperature.
Don’t take chances with foodborne illness. When in doubt, throw it out.
Conclusion
Pickled onions can often be safely eaten past their printed expiration date, provided the jar is properly sealed and refrigerated. Look for signs of spoilage like mold, soft texture and foul smells before consuming. While they may slowly lose quality over time, pickled onions can still retain their safety for weeks or months if stored in the fridge. Use your best judgment, and discard them if you have any concerns. With an unopened jar kept in optimal conditions, pickled onions can sometimes last for years.