As a foodie who doesn't believe in food wastage, I've always used pickles in some of my bland meals from the refrigerator.
Because of their nutritional value and health benefits, pickles come in different tastes depending on the consumer's preference.
However, do pickles go bad? I would say depending on how you handle and store pickles, that is what makes the difference when it comes to its shelf life.
I love pickles because you can make them from readily available ingredients. Besides, grocery stores have a variety of them if you prefer a different taste.

These highly nutritious pickles contain a combination of low nutrients that's perfect for the good bacteria found in the stomach.
Well-prepared pickles have a shelf life of between 2 to 12 months. To get the most out of your homemade pickles or processed ones from the grocery store, put them in an airtight mason jar.
Close the jar well and ensure it's under the brine. If after all these the pickles still get spoilt, something not done right. For example, the cucumber, or another vegetable you use may be carrying many bacteria, or the jars have dirt.
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How Long do Homemade Pickles Last?

When it comes to homemade pickles, consuming them within two to three weeks when refrigerated will save you the worry of knowing whether they are good for consumption or not. First, you need to understand the process used when making pickles.
Making pickles at home is quite rewarding since you use available fresh ingredients, preserve them to use later, and, if possible, delve in them for an entire year.
Homemade pickles in their airtight jars can stay for two months or longer in the refrigerator. However, after a long time, they become less crunchy, but if you prefer softer ones, you can let them stay much longer. This type of pickle has vinegar, but sometimes salt and sugar.

On the other hand, canned vinegar pickles have a higher concentration of sugar, salt, and vinegar.
After making this type, they undergo a hot water bath; hence you can store them in your kitchen cupboard for seven months.
Pickle's longevity depends on the amount of vinegar used during the processing. Since sugar and salt have been used as a preservative from long ago, they also determine the pickles shelf life.
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How Long will Fermented / Brined pickles last?

Fermented pickles will last in your kitchen cabinet indefinitely. The brine used prevents the growth of bacteria while allowing fermentation to take place.
Upon getting the pickles to the desired strength, refrigerate them until when you can eat them all.
How To Make Pickles
Although recipes for fermented pickles are all over the internet, I would opt for old methods. It's vital to ferment pickles so that you can get an equal ratio of salt and acid. These ingredients don't need a fuss, or you may end up with nasty and soggy cucumbers.
For the best quality, don't select immature cucumbers instead use unwaxed cucumbers meant for pickling. Wash thoroughly to remove all the soil, which contains bacteria, and cut off the tips to prevent the softening of enzymes.
For optimum quality, pickle the cucumbers after 16 hours of picking when still fresh. Use four-inch cucumber when making dills and 1 ½ inch for gherkins. More mature cucumbers and odd-shaped ones work better with sweet bread and butter style pickles.

- Make spears of the cucumbers or slice the cucumbers. If you opt to use a full cucumber, poke holes in them so that the brine can get in evenly.
- Place your cucumbers in a mason jar and add brine to cover the cucumbers. To make the brine, add two tablespoons of salt and one tablespoon of sugar to a vinegar quart.
- For dill pickles, add three cloves of garlic and one teaspoon of dill seeds.
- For crunch and crispy pickles, add some grape leaves or a pinch of calcium chloride. Add in some of your favorite spices. For starters, you can use pickling spice.
After making pickles, you can put them on the pantry or in the fridge and allow them to cure.
When the color changes a bit, it means the cucumbers have absorbed the sweet and sour pickle flavor. These raw pickles are full of probiotics, making them healthy for consumption.
How to Make Mango Pickle

Ingredients
- Turmeric powder one teaspoon
- Fenugreek (methi) seeds ½ teaspoon
- Mustard seed (rai) 1 teaspoon
- Salt-2 tablespoons
- Raw sour mangoes, two in number
- Asafoetida (Hing) ½ teaspoon
Preparation
- Roast the fenugreek seeds for around two minutes
- Grind the fenugreek and mustard seeds to make powder
For the seasoning, use ¼ teaspoon of asafetida, ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder, one teaspoon of mustard seeds, and two tablespoons of oil for seasoning.
To Make The Seasoning

Heat the oil in a pan, add the mustard seeds and allow them to sputter. Add asafetida and turmeric powder.
Take the pan from the fire and allow cooling at room temperature. After it cools completely, adds to your pickle.
Making Mango Pickle
- Cut the mangoes in the desired shapes and sizes then mix with chili powder, mustard and fenugreek powder, asafetida, and turmeric.
- Mix the products well, then pour in an airtight clean bottle, then add the cooled seasoning.
- Shake the dough in the jar daily and turn using a clean spoon for about 15 days.
Do Pickles Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?

Since they haven't undergone sterilization, fresh pickles must maintain a specific fridge temperature. Pickling is a method that helps to extend the shelf life of pickled foods.
However, ensure your pickles are under the brine to keep oxygen away, and use a container that has a nice seal.
Pickling is done to make food taste awesome as long as it remains refrigerated. Ingredients used for most fridge pickles include clean vegetables and brine, which would last for a couple of weeks. Furthermore, refrigerating your pickles will help increase its shelf life.
Another reason for refrigerating pickles is because people have different preferences when it comes to the degree of acidity needed for the right flavors. When in the fridge, the fermentation process slows down, the pickle remains in that desired zone.
Does Pickle Juice Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?

Depending on the time of fermentation, pickle juice can stay on the pantry for some time. Moreover, you can still put in your hardboiled egg or slices of cucumber.
Although some prefer chilled pickle juice, it can also stay in the cabinet, awaiting another usage.
However, if you drink the pickle directly from the jar, it's advisable to seal it nicely and store it in the fridge. Saliva contains microorganisms that may cause mold to form in the pickle juice. Also, when refrigerating, ensure you use clean jars.
Do Sweet Pickles Go Bad?

The correct answer depends on several variables of whether the sweet pickles are store in the refrigerator or kitchen cabinet. To extend its shelf life, refrigerate sweet pickles and ensure they are put in an airtight mason jar, which isn't contaminated.
Even after opening and the date of expiration reaches, you can still eat your sweet pickles as long they are well stored, and the jar isn't damaged or contaminated.
However, the moment you notice a peculiar smell or any growth on the sweet pickles, it's best to discard the contents in the jar.
Do Claussen Pickles Go Bad?

Claussen pickles contain vinegar in high volumes, salt, and sugar that inhibit the growth of bacteria. Traditionally, before all the fuss and haze about refrigeration, pickles stayed in the pantry up to one year, and people would still eat it.
However, in the 60s, as a way to improve the product, the great-grandson of the founder Hans Claus opted to come up with the crunchier refrigerated Claussen pickle.
This pickle's crispness is what most people want, and it can thrive well with proper refrigeration.
Do Pickles Go Bad Without The Juice?
When you drink all the brine, the pickles will dry out. However, don't replace the liquid with water; instead, you can use vinegar mixed with salt and sugar.
If the jar is half-full with brine, it'll last for some time although you have to ensure the storage is done carefully, any contaminant will help mold to start forming at the bottom of the jar, forcing you to discard your pickle.
What Does Pickle Taste Like?

Typically, the various herbs, salt, sugar, and vinegar used in making pickles bring out the different flavors such as sweet, sour, and bitter.
The liquid used to soak the product gives it the desired taste since it spreads evenly on the cucumber's flesh. Additionally, you can pickle your blanched vegetables, boiled eggs, and meat for that delectable flavor.
Pickles have a legacy of centuries, and what makes them stand out is the combination of vegetables, fruits, and spices, and preservative ingredients used to make them.
When products like chili powder, oil, salt, turmeric, and jeers are put in the right amount, you will get some of the best tastes.
The heat is used for preservation from the spices, and the sun takes the pickle to another level.