How Long Does Kewpie Mayo Last & How to Store It
As the best-selling Japanese mayonnaise brand, Kewpie mayo has become a globally recognized condiment. I love its original umami flavor, which you don’t get to see in the common mayo brands. While Kewpie mayo is more of a dressing in Japan and China, the US version is thicker and sharper, so you must be careful about its storage and shelf-life.
Even though Kewpie mayo typically has a shelf life of about one year when unopened, if it stays unopened, it can even last beyond its “best by” or “use by” date.
Still, considering that it contains egg yolks, without the whites, Kewpie mayo is easily perishable. What is more, because it has a pronounced umami flavor, it masks the spoilage signals well. Knowing a few things about Kewpie mayo storage can help you enjoy it better, so in this article, I will tell you all about the proper storage and duration of Kewpie mayo. If you’d rather be safe than sorry, stick with me!
How Long Does Kewpie Mayo Last Unopened?
An unopened container of Kewpie mayo is very durable, with a shelf-life of up to twelve months or even longer. Since it’s a condiment, it has a considerably long shelf life, and you don’t have to worry about it spoiling too quickly.
Depending on how you store it, it can easily exceed the 12-month period, but its quality will start to diminish after the 14th or the 15th month; of course, I’m discussing this as a theoretical possibility since I sincerely doubt that you will buy it and not eat it for over a year.
Still, it’s good to know that you don’t have to refrigerate an unopened Kewpie mayo, which is pretty convenient if you don’t have enough space in your fridge. You will have to refrigerate it eventually, but it gives you time to rearrange your fridge shelves.
If some time needs to pass before you refrigerate an unopened Kewpie mayo, it is best to store it in a cool and dark area, keeping it away from light exposure and direct warmth. I keep it in my pantry, but see where it would be safest in your home arrangement. [1]
How Long Does Kewpie Mayo Last Opened?
An opened container of Kewpie mayo has never survived more than ten days in my fridge, but you can keep it for about twice as long. You may encounter info online that it can last up to three months in the fridge, but I urge you not to try that. Three months is too long for egg yolks to remain safe, and even though the mayo doesn’t show any signs of spoilage, know that the process has begun. [2]
Once you open your Kewpie mayo, its shelf-life shortens significantly, and you must be very careful. It contains egg yolks that are highly perishable, and not only will it taste bad, but it can also harm your health.
Egg yolks are known to cause salmonella, so you must never risk it with an opened Kewpie mayo. An opened Kewpie mayo requires mandatory refrigeration at all times. If you want to have it near you while you eat, I suggest you scoop the amount you need and return the rest to the fridge.
Always read the storage instructions on the container and follow them carefully. I would even advise you to store it for a tad shorter period than the stated one.
Can You Freeze Kewpie Mayo?
As the label on the back of the Kewpie mayo container says, do not freeze the mayo. This isn’t only a rule for Kewpie mayo but also for any mayo brand. Mayonnaise doesn’t do well at all in the freezer, and after defrosting it, it will be absolutely useless.
It will turn into a lump of ice; after thawing, it will be runny, watery, and unfixable. You cannot defrost mayonnaise and return it back to its original state. So, if you have too much mayo left that is about to expire, I suggest you share it with family and friends instead of freezing it.
I’ve had a couple of mayo gatherings, and it wasn’t that bad. People appreciate a good mayo, so go ahead and spread the joy! Also, if you need some Kewpie mayo recipe inspo; just check out these ideas:
What Is the Best Way to Store Kewpie Mayo?
The best way to store Kewpie mayo is to store it in the fridge, but sometimes, the fridge alone isn’t a completely safe option if you aren’t careful about a bunch of other things. For example, keeping your mayo in the fridge with the cap loosely placed will contribute to its faster spoilage, so make sure you seal it as tightly as possible. [3]
Be careful what utensils you use. Kewpie mayo comes in jars, bottles, and bags. If yours is in a bottle or a bag and you don’t transfer it into a jar, you will hardly use any utensils to scoop it out, but if you scoop it out of a jar, your utensils can cause premature spoilage.
Always use clean and metal utensils to scoop your mayo out. Avoid plastic spoons or even wooden ones. By using unsuitable utensils, you contaminate the entire amount of mayo inside the jar, causing it to spoil sooner.
Always scoop as much as you need and leave the rest in the fridge. By doing this, you ensure that your mayo remains at a more or less constant temperature.
How Long Can It Sit Out?
When it comes to Kewpie mayo, I don’t recommend letting the entire container sit out for two hours. Even if it doesn’t spoil, which it probably won’t, the temperature inside the mayo will change completely. Then, when you refrigerate it again, the temperature will again change completely. [4]
These temperature changes could cause your mayo to spoil more quickly, so avoid doing it as much as possible. Scoop a certain amount out and leave the rest refrigerated. As for the scooped amount of mayo, you can keep it out for two hours; it will be absolutely safe.
For perishable food, there’s a rule called “the two-hour rule,” meaning that perishable food can sit out for two hours before it becomes unsafe. Although I apply this rule for many perishables, not all perishable foods are the same, and I don’t rely on it in all situations. [5]
How do you usually store your Kewpie mayo? Cannot wait to hear from you in the comments below!
Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.
