31 foods that should always be kept in the fridge (2024)

Chances are, you probably refrigerate some things you shouldn't. Likewise, there are probably some things sitting on your kitchen counter in your cabinets or pantry, or even in your medicine cabinet, that should be refrigerated.

Forget what your parents told you, and put these things in your refrigerator.

Ketchup doesn't technically need to be stored in the refrigerator. But if you go through ketchup fairly slowly (specifically, slower than monthly) you should keep it in the fridge to inhibit bacterial growth.

Organic ketchup and varieties made without preservatives should always be kept in the fridge.

Like most condiments, soy sauce can be left unrefrigerated. Even though the bottle recommends refrigerating, it won't spoil at room temperature, thanks to its high sodium content.

That said, if soy sauce is left out of the refrigerator, it will begin to lose its freshness and its flavor will change. If you don't plan on using the entire bottle of soy sauce within one or two months, it's best to keep it in the refrigerator.

Corn on the cob will begin to lose its sweetness shortly after it's harvested. To capture as much of the sweet flavor fresh corn is loved for, it's best to store it in the refrigerator to slow the chemical process that destroys the flavor.

The best method of storing corn in the refrigerator is to leave it uncovered at 40 Fahrenheit (4.44 Celsius), where it should keep for five to seven days.

Many soy, almond and other nut milks do not need to be refrigerated prior to opening. While still sealed, they're shelf-stable and can be stored at room temperature in the pantry until the expiration date on the carton.

However, after being opened, soy and nut milks should be refrigerated and consumed within a week.

Some people don't refrigerate jellies or jam at all, but most labels recommend refrigerating after opening. A jar left out for a day or two should be safe to eat. Smucker's, for example, recommends not eating a fruit spread if it has been without refrigeration for more than 48 hours.

If there is visible mold, it's not safe and should be discarded.

Hard cheeses like cheddar, American or Parmesan can be safely stored at room temperature. However, unaged or soft cheeses (mozzarella, ricotta, brie, etc.) should be stored in the refrigerator until ready for consumption.

All cheeses will last longer if kept refrigerated.

Some herbs, such as basil, can thrive outside the refrigerator. However, most other herbs should be refrigerated.

According to Serious Eats, hardy herbs -- like rosemary or thyme -- should be washed, arranged on a damp paper towel, rolled up, wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator.

Tortillas aren't something you would think need to be refrigerated. However, a quick check of the label will reveal that many tortillas come with instructions to refrigerate after opening.

At room temperature, tortillas will remain fresh for approximately a week. If refrigerated, you can extend their shelf life by a factor of four.

Let's be honest. Most bags of beef jerky or packages of cured meat don't last long enough to require refrigeration. However, it is recommended that you consume all of the cured meat within a few days to a week after opening the package. Otherwise, you should refrigerate the cured meat to prolong its freshness.

After opened, different cured meats will remain fresh for varying lengths of time based on the manufacturer, the type of preparation and preservation and how they are stored.

Not all pies are created equal, and not all pies need to be refrigerated.

Fruit pies, for instance, can keep at room temperature for a couple days. After that, if there's any left, you should store it in the refrigerator for a few more days.

Some medications require refrigeration. Namely, insulin should be kept in the refrigerator, as it loses its effectiveness when exposed to extreme temperatures. Other commonly refrigerated medications are penicillin, aspirin and amoxicillin.

Some people also opt to refrigerate eye drops, but it's not necessary. Chilling eye drops provides a cool effect and can make it easier to tell when the drop hits your eye.

Some people will tell you that champagne should not be stored for prolonged periods in the refrigerator. Science says they're wrong.

Over time, champagne develops a browning compound called 5-HMF. A study performed by Barcelona University discovered that after storing a bottle of champagne at room temperature, in a cellar just below room temperature and in a refrigerator for two years, the refrigerated champagne was almost completely without browning.

Due to the dairy content, some cream liqueurs are prone to spoiling. Unopened and stored at room temperature, many cream liqueurs have a shelf life of around two years. After opening, even in the refrigerator, they should be consumed within six months.

The exception is Bailey's: The maker guarantees its freshness for two years from the day it was made, opened or unopened, stored in the fridge or not, so long as it is kept away from direct sunlight and between 32 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (0 and 20 Celsius).

You might be refrigerating items better stored in the pantry. Here are 20 things you don't actually have to keep in the fridge.