Prep

How long does gravy in jars and cans last?

FoodKeeper gives gravy in jars and cans 2 to 5 years unopened, as a guide to quality. Once opened, that's 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.

Throw away, without tasting, any can that's bulging, leaking, heavily rusted or deeply dented, or that spurts when opened.

How to store it

Keep it with low-acid cans. Heat only what you'll use, because this is one of the shortest opened times on this site.

USDA says temperatures below 85°F are best, and to avoid anywhere above or beside the stove, under the sink, or in a damp garage or basement. USDA says unused food may be refrigerated in the can, but a glass or plastic container keeps it tasting better.

What to look for

Opened gravy spoils fast, so if it's been in the refrigerator longer than the time shown, throw it out. USDA's outage chart says to discard it if the refrigerator has been above 40°F for over 2 hours.

Throw a can away, without tasting, if it's bulging or swollen, leaking, heavily rusted or deeply dented, or if it hisses loudly or spurts when opened. USDA says a small dent on a can that's otherwise in good shape should be safe; a deep dent is one you can lay your finger into. Surface rust you can rub off isn't serious, but rust inside means don't eat the food. Double-bag anything suspect and put it in an outdoor trash can.

Worth knowing

FoodKeeper gives opened gravy 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator, even though the unopened jar or can keeps for years.

USDA FoodKeeper says: “Canned items will be safe to eat well past the 'use-by' or 'best by' date as long as the can shows no dents, rust, or swelling.”

Similar foods

From preppantry.app. Checked 2 November 2026. Independent tool, not official advice.

How it works

FoodKeeper is USDA's food storage database. Its figures are guides to quality for food stored at cool room temperature, not safety cut-offs, and we show them as USDA gives them. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase. Opened times start when you open the pack.

Where FoodKeeper gives no figure, we say so instead of guessing. The date printed on a package is the manufacturer's, and it's about quality except on infant formula.

Common questions

How long does gravy in jars and cans last unopened?

2 to 5 years, according to USDA FoodKeeper, as a guide to best quality. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase.

How long does gravy in jars and cans keep once opened?

FoodKeeper gives no figure for an opened pack in the pantry. 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.

Does gravy in jars and cans go bad after the date on the package?

USDA says canned items will be safe well past the date as long as the can shows no dents, rust or swelling. Quality can drop with time, so use the oldest first.

What should I look for before using gravy in jars and cans?

Opened gravy spoils fast, so if it's been in the refrigerator longer than the time shown, throw it out. USDA's outage chart says to discard it if the refrigerator has been above 40°F for over 2 hours.

Sources

Checked on 2 November 2026. This is an independent tool and not official advice. See sources and method.

Next