How Long Do Homemade Salad Dressings and Sauces Last?

Homemade dressings and sauces are a game-changer; they’re healthier, tastier, and often simpler than store-bought. But once you’ve blended, whisked, or shaken them up, how long do they actually last in the fridge? The answer depends on what’s inside and how you store them.

At Caraway , we’re all about making real-life cooking easier, not more confusing. So we’re breaking it down: what lasts, what doesn’t, and how to keep your dressings and sauces fresh (without playing a guessing game every time you open the fridge).

Oil-Based Salad Dressings

Think vinaigrettes made with olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and herbs. These are the most shelf-stable of the bunch . When stored in a sealed container in the fridge, oil-based dressings usually last up to two weeks.

The biggest thing to watch? Separation. Oil and vinegar naturally split over time, so give your jar a good shake before each use. If it smells off, looks cloudy in a weird way, or just seems different than usual, trust your instincts and toss it.

Creamy Dressings and Dairy-Based Sauces

When you bring in yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, or mayo, the shelf life shortens. Most creamy dressings (like ranch or Caesar) should be used within five to seven days. Keep them tightly sealed and refrigerated, and always use clean utensils when scooping.

And yes, even if it looks fine, dairy can spoil quietly , so stick to the week-long rule and you’ll be good to go.

Fresh Herb or Garlic-Based Sauces

If your homemade sauce includes fresh garlic, herbs, citrus, or chopped produce (think chimichurri, green goddess, or homemade pesto), plan to use it within three to five days.

These ingredients add flavor, but also moisture and bacteria-prone elements that can shorten shelf life . Store them in a container with a tight seal and keep refrigerated immediately after making. For pestos and similar sauces, adding a thin layer of olive oil on top can help keep them from oxidizing.

Nut Butters and Tahini-Based Sauces

Sauces made with nut butters, tahini, or sesame oil (like peanut sauce or homemade sesame dressing) usually last up to a week, depending on other ingredients like garlic, lime juice, or soy sauce.

They’re generally stable but can thicken in the fridge. Just add a splash of warm water or vinegar and whisk to revive the texture before serving.

The Bottom Line

So, how long do homemade dressings last? In most cases, they last three to 14 days, depending on what’s in them and how you store them. Oil-based vinaigrettes tend to last longer, while creamy or herb-heavy blends need to be used a bit sooner.

At Caraway, we believe healthy cooking goes beyond what’s in your food—it’s also about how you store it. That’s why we created our Glass Airtight Container Set —a non-toxic, space-saving solution designed to lock in freshness and keep out everything else.

From dressings to dinner leftovers, our kitchen essentials are made to help you cook clean, store smart, and feel confident every step of the way.

Explore the full collection and make every part of your kitchen a little healthier.

Sources:

You Don't Refrigerate Vinegar or Olive Oil, So Do You Need to Refrigerate Vinaigrette? | Eating Well

When Good Milk Goes Bad | National Geographic

Shelf-Stable Food Saftey | USDA