Meredith
The same goes for baking powder. Biscuits not getting the height you’d imagined? It might be due to your old leavener. According to the USDA, this item has an even shorter shelf life after opening—a whole 3 months. I know mine is definitely older than that.
3. Condiments
A bottle of hot sauce on it’s side spilling onto a white background.
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This one is tricky. You can extend the shelf life of some condiments significantly by keeping them in the fridge, so you don’t have to buy more. But at the start of a new year, it’s best to check expiration dates and be honest with yourself. How old is that ketchup? Is the crust on that mustard old enough to vote? Check your hot sauce while you’re at it, too.
4. Jam or Jelly
Two jars filled with hot jam mixture
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
It may seem like certain jam jars are good forever but at the end of the year, it’s always good to check. High levels of sugar or acid with cooler temps can extend the life of jelly but not if they’ve been introduced to other things (like peanut butter) that can accelerate bacterial growth. Unopened jars last for up to a year in a cool pantry but it’s best to discard open jars in the fridge after 6 months.
