How Long An Open Jar Of Peanut Butter Lasts In The Pantry

Multiple factors can impact how much time you have before your jar of peanut butter goes bad. As per the USDA, you have a window of around three months to use it up after opening.

While conventional peanut butter with added oils and preservatives, once opened, can last around three months in the pantry, natural varieties can go bad in as little as a month.

You might not always observe visible signs of spoilage, like mold, in peanut butter that has gone bad. So use your sense of smell to determine its freshness or check the texture.

In all-natural varieties, a dry, cakey consistency and darker color often indicate spoilage rather than the typical separation that occurs and is safe to consume after stirring.

An easy way to extend the shelf life of peanut butter, whether it’s crunchy or creamy, natural or conventional, is to simply store it in the refrigerator after opening.

This can boost the prime time of peanut butter from two to three months to up to nine months. Refrigeration can also help keep your natural peanut butter from separating.