# How long does an open bottle of salad dressing stay good? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 1, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-open-bottle-of-salad-dressing-stay-good/645731 "2013-01-01T01:27:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-open-bottle-of-salad-dressing-stay-good/645731/1 "2013-01-01T01:27:08Z")
LOL, need answer fast. I don’t have salad at home too often, but I also use the Italian salad dressing to marinade chicken breasts. I generally try to either use the bottle up within 2 weeks after opening or toss it. Too soon or am I taking risks with even letting an open bottle go 2 weeks? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-open-bottle-of-salad-dressing-stay-good/645731/2 "2013-01-01T01:28:45Z")
Put it in the fridge. It’ll last longer. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-open-bottle-of-salad-dressing-stay-good/645731/3 "2013-01-01T01:29:51Z")
Oh man, two weeks? I’ve got bottles of salad dressing a couple of months old. We just don’t eat that much salad and we have a couple of varieties. It’s oil and vinegar and various spices. I don’t see how it could go bad in the fridge. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-open-bottle-of-salad-dressing-stay-good/645731/4 "2013-01-01T01:30:22Z")
I always keep it in the fridge. In fact, I keep the unopened bottle in the fridge. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-open-bottle-of-salad-dressing-stay-good/645731/5 "2013-01-01T01:31:49Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Oh man, two weeks? I’ve got bottles of salad dressing a couple of months old. We just don’t eat that much salad and we have a couple of varieties. It’s oil and vinegar and various spices. I don’t see how it could go bad in the fridge. I am paranoid about food poisoning. I work an overnight shift, and I really try to never have to call in sick for work. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-open-bottle-of-salad-dressing-stay-good/645731/6 "2013-01-01T01:36:56Z")
“It says ‘best by…’” ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-open-bottle-of-salad-dressing-stay-good/645731/7 "2013-01-01T01:40:58Z")
It stays good until it’s finished. Once in a while I turn up something literally years old and throw it out, otherwise if it’s acidic it’s fine. Creamy sauces I keep in the fridge, the rest I don’t bother. I think you are safe. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-open-bottle-of-salad-dressing-stay-good/645731/8 "2013-01-01T01:41:34Z")
That’s some serious paranoia. It’s good for months in the fridge. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-open-bottle-of-salad-dressing-stay-good/645731/9 "2013-01-01T03:06:40Z")
I have some vinaigrette in the fridge at work that’s way over a year old, probably nearing two. It’s fine. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-an-open-bottle-of-salad-dressing-stay-good/645731/10 "2013-01-01T03:28:10Z")
If it’s just oil with non volitile components, like canola oil, along with vinegar and dried spices, then you just might croak before it does.