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Can Dijon Mustard Go Bad? (And How To Tell

Quick Answer

Although it might come as a surprise, yes, dijon mustard can go bad. Dijon mustard has a lot of natural preservatives within its ingredients, but unfortunately the quality of this delicious condiment will naturally decrease as time passes.

Dijon mustard is a staple in kitchens up and down the country, and there’s a good chance that you probably have your own jar of dijon mustard somewhere in your kitchen at this moment in time.

So whether it’s a remnant of the summer barbecues, a leftover ingredient from that one specific recipe you made that one time, or just a jar that has been forgotten about time and time again, you might be wondering can dijon mustard go bad?

So, if you want to know if your dijon mustard has turned bad or not, what the signs of bad dijon mustard are, as well as how to store your dijon mustard properly, then read on as we provide you with all of the information you need to know!

The typical shelf life for an unopened jar of dijon mustard can be anywhere from 2 to 3 years beyond what is stated on the label.

Can Dijon Mustard Go Bad

But after this period of time, the likelihood is that your dijon mustard won’t taste as nice as it did before.

Although the mustard will still be safe to eat, it won’t be as good as it originally would be!

Opening your mustard shortens the shelf life a lot, and will last around two years if you keep it in your refrigerator, but only if you ensure that you keep it sealed properly, and away from other condiments and moisture that could cause it to spoil.

From this point onwards, the quality of your mustard will decline rapidly, and there’s a good chance it will go bad, so you should check it before you go to use it on your food!

If you’re someone who likes to make dijon mustard at home, then it’s worth knowing that it won’t have as long of a shelf life as store bought dijon mustard will have.

How long it will last is entirely dependent on the recipe, and it can typically last anywhere from six weeks to six months.

So before you go to eat your delicious homemade mustard, you should make sure you check for any signs that your mustard has gone bad before you go ahead and eat it!

How To Tell If Your Dijon Mustard Has Gone Bad

Unlike a lot of other food items, your dijon mustard won’t spoil, at least not in the traditional sense, but there are a few ways that it can go bad, so here are some of the signs you should look out for when checking if your dijon mustard has gone bad:

Dryness

Dijon mustard is known for its amazingly smooth texture, which comes from the fact that the seeds are crushed and finely grounded as it is made.

When dijon mustard goes bad, it dries out a lot, so you should notice the difference in texture.

Color

Dijon mustard, like the other forms of mustard, has an incredibly distinct and bright color, which can darken when it begins to go bad, so you should notice it!

Separation

Mustard that has begun to spoil will separate over time, so keep an eye on your mustard before eating it.

Smell

Everyone loves the smell of dijon mustard, but if it smells unpleasant and different to how it normally would, then there’s a good chance there’s been some bacterial growth in your mustard, so you should throw it away.

Moisture

If there’s any moisture that begins to accumulate inside of your mustard jar, there’s a good chance that it can lead to the growth of bacteria and mold.

You should always make sure that the lid of your mustard jar is closed tightly, and avoid eating your dijon mustard if there’s any sign of mold or bacteria!

How To Properly Store Your Dijon Mustard

Can Dijon Mustard Go Bad

Learning how to properly store your dijon mustard is the key to preventing it from going bad, so if you’re unsure on the best way for you to store your dijon mustard, then read on and find out how!

Unopened Jars Of Dijon Mustard

When it comes to storing unopened jars of dijon mustard, all you need to do is store them in your pantry, ideally in a dark and cool place, and away from any sort of moisture or heat that could cause it to go bad.

Opened Jars Of Dijon Mustard

To store jars of dijon mustard that have been opened, the jar should be placed in the refrigerator once it has been initially used, as this will help to preserve the quality of your mustard, so that you can enjoy it time and time again.

In the refrigerator, your mustard should last for around an entire year before it begins to go bad.

Freezing Dijon Mustard

Whilst it works to store and preserve a lot of other food items, you should completely avoid freezing your dijon mustard.

Doing so will unfortunately lead your mustard to separate, and there’s a high chance that you won’t be able to mix it back together, leaving you with a ruined condiment.

Additionally, freezing it wouldn’t provide much of an extended shelf life either, so you’re best off just keeping it in the refrigerator.

Summary

To summarise, unfortunately dijon mustard can go bad if stored improperly after a period of time.

So, if you love dijon mustard and want to make sure that you keep it properly, then read through our guide for how to store your dijon mustard to keep it fresh!

Jess Smith
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