Things in Your Fridge You Should Probably Toss
The fridge is one of the greatest kitchen inventions—keeping food fresh longer and helping cut down on waste. But let’s be honest: most of us keep things way past their prime, just because it’s easy to stash them in the cold. The truth? Some of those “perfectly fine” items in your fridge may actually need to go. Here’s what to watch out for:
Deli Meats
Sandwich lovers often keep a stash of sliced deli meat or cured meats ready to grab. But they don’t last as long as you might think. Sliced deli meat should be eaten within five days, while cured meats can stretch to two or three weeks. If you can’t remember when you bought them, play it safe—toss them. Next time, label your packages so you know exactly how long they’ve been sitting there.
Cheese
Soft cheeses like Brie or goat cheese might look harmless, but they don’t last forever. You can safely keep them for about one to two weeks, tops. Check that cheese drawer—if something’s been lingering for weeks, it’s time to say goodbye.
Pickled Foods
Pickles, kimchi, and miso might feel like they last forever, but they can spoil too. If you see a white film on top of pickles or kimchi, throw them out immediately. With miso, trust your nose—if it smells off, don’t risk it.
Condiments
It’s easy to hoard ketchup packets, mustards, or sauces from takeout nights, but even condiments have a shelf life. According to the USDA:
Ketchup and chili sauce: about 6 months
Mustard: up to 1 year
Chutney: 1–2 months
Olives: around 2 weeks
Mayonnaise and salad dressings: about 2 months
Check your bottles—many probably expired long ago.
Broth or Stock
Made a hearty chicken stock after roasting a bird? Delicious—but it won’t last forever. Fresh broth should be eaten within four days. If you can’t finish it, freeze it to make it last longer.
Homemade Sauces
Unlike store-bought versions, homemade sauces don’t contain preservatives. That means they spoil quicker—usually within two weeks. After that, you risk bacterial growth.
Double-Dipped Foods
This one’s sneaky. If you’ve ever taken a sip straight from the milk carton or a bite straight from the container, you’ve transferred bacteria into it. Those “shared” foods should be finished within four days at most—otherwise, into the trash they go.