I don’t refrigerate mayonnaise or Miracle Whip. Shocking, but true. And we haven’t died.
I’ve written before about having a tiny refrigerator aboard Barefoot Gal. And so I don’t refrigerate anything that I don’t have to. And that includes mayonnaise.
Most Americans – and, as far as I know, Canadians – are used to hearing that mayonnaise must be refrigerated or you’ll get a nasty case of food poisoning.
And yes, that’s the FDA’s position.
The Clean Spoon Rule
But many cruisers don’t refrigerate mayonnaise/Miracle Whip, instead using the “clean spoon rule.” Basically, you absolutely never, ever put anything other than a perfectly clean spoon in the jar of mayo. No wiping a knife on a slice of bread then putting it back in the jar for a second dip. No using the spoon you used to first scoop the tuna out of the can. And no using a knife that you just sort of wiped off on a rag. It has to be clean.
Squeeze Bottles
An alternative that we prefer is to use squeeze bottles and never, ever touch the opening with anything – fingers, food, rags, anything. I’m talking about manufacturer squeeze bottles, not ones that you transfer the mayo into. The manufacturer squeeze bottles are germ-free to start with, so as long as you don’t introduce bacteria there won’t be any – and commercial mayonnaise and Miracle Whip have a number of preservatives in them, too.
Two Cautions
While we don’t refrigerate the mayonnaise container, we still do refrigerate any dishes made with mayonnaise such as potato salad since in those the mayo has come in contact with other foods and is “contaminated.” Well, not really contaminated . . . but mixed with other things which might have bacteria that would grow in the mayo.
Since the “clean spoon” or squeeze bottle rule is contrary to all the government recommendations, you do this at your own risk. And when I had a much larger refrigerator aboard our previous boat, I did refrigerate mayonnaise. But I don’t anymore – I just don’t have room. And I know numerous other cruisers that also don’t refrigerate their mayo.
If You Rarely Use Mayo
If you only occasionally use small amounts of mayonnaise and don’t want to tempt fate by not refrigerating open containers, you can buy individual packets of mayonnaise and Miracle Whip at many supermarkets and sometimes from fast-food restaurants. They tend to be expensive online, but if you can’t find them elsewhere Amazon does carry them:
- Individual packets of mayonnaise and Miracle Whip on Amazon
This article was originally written in December 2014. It was most recently expanded and republished in April 2020.
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Glenda says
I agree, we also don’t keep mayonnaise, margarine or any sauces in the fridge, and all is well. Interestingly in Thailand margarine is not in the fridge even I’m the supermarket. It is interesting to see the amount of water coming out if the margarine, weight you have paid for.
Mark and Cindy - s/v Cream Puff says
We like the idea of the squeeze bottle. No room for error.
Is this also true for the tropics?
Mark and Cindy
s/v Cream Puff
Carolyn Shearlock says
Yep, I know people who do it in 100+ degree climates.
Cheryl Colber says
Refrigeration space is precious on a boat. I quit refrigerating mayo 5 months ago; no ill effects.
Lynn says
We’ve been in the Caribbean for 6 years and don’t refrigerate mayo, or any other condiments for that matter, with no problems. Half a pound of salted butter also lives outside of the fridge (I don’t like dealing with hard butter!)
Darlene Burnett Price says
We stopped too. But we use the squeeze and never contaminate it with other food. That’s the key.
Dave Tew says
We’ve never refrigerated mayo either.
Peter Robertson says
It’s the onions that will get you, not the mayo….
Dave Skolnick (S/V Auspicious) says
We don’t refrigerate mayo, mustard, ketchup, or hot sauces. No problems, and consistent with most of the RoW. We don’t refrigerate butter either – that goes in a butter bell unless we are off the boat, in which case we dump the water and refrigerate.
Donna says
This website has all sorts of individual packets for just about every need. We used them all the time when we were doing kayak camping.
http://www.minimus.biz/
Frances Liz Fernandez says
Interesting.
Beth says
back in 1992 while cruising in the Bahamas and Caribbean, I met a singlehander aboard an Alajuela 38, really nice guy. He had his big jar of Hellman’s out on the counter. Said his mom told him never to do that, but he hadn’t gotten sick yet! I’m not a mayo person, but I learned living aboard that many things don’t really need refrigeration.
Ted says
The risk of contracting food poisoning on a sailing vessel outweighs the benefits (?) of unrefrigerated mayo… Single servings for sandwiches, small containers (like you see at the gas station or Dollar General) for mayonnaise-based dishes (pasta salad).
Lynn says
6 years in the tropics, and 5 years before that not refrigerating mayo… Not seeing any “risks”. And you frequently see islanders not refrigerating it either.
Ironically, the only food poisoning was from chicken from a deli…
Claire McCloskey Ford says
I have a friend whose mother-in-law never refrigerated her mayo, and this was back in the 50’s and 60’s. Her reasoning was it had so much vinegar that it couldn’t go bad before her boys finished a jar. Thanks for the info because we’re about to take off in a Cutwater 28, (down from a Heritage East 36) and I flat don’t have the room in the fridge.
Charlie Jones S/V Tehani says
I started not refrigerating mayo when I lived aboard back in the 80’s. Still don’t on board the boat. I use the squeeze bottles always.
And I live, and sail, on the Texas coast- may as well be tropics-grin
Mayo itself (the commercial kind) is a hostile environment to bacteria. So as long as it is not contaminated by the tuna, or chicken, it’s perfectly safe
I also keep real butter out
Marilyn says
I do refrigerate my mayo…Moms voice in my head on the dangers of leaving it out
but dont refrigerate ketchup, mustard, jam and my asian sauces.
Monika says
Best source for individual packets of dozens of condiments is Minimus.biz
Maeve says
I found this very helpful. As a college student in the US I don’t have any kind of fridge and I was wondering if I could take MW and leave it out. A lot of other sites don’t offer these real life experiences when they give their opinion on leaving mayo/mw in or out of the fridge. The squeeze bottle is definitely something I try when I run out of what I have.
Lori says
I grew up not refrigerating mayo or mustard or ketchup. Now everything is in the fridge. Thanks for helping remind me I’m not crazy, as we leave on a long camping trip, soon, with no stores for shopping. Also, btw, love this site!
Carolyn Shearlock says
Thanks!
Mark says
Just a couple of comments about food safety. Commercial mayo has a pH low enough that bacteria will not grow. However once you mix it with other foods such as meat fish or cooked veggies you set the stage for food poisoning to occur. Keep any foods mayo has been mixed with refrigerated below 40f. Also once you cook rice or pasta or veggies it can support bacterial growth so also keep that refrigerated.
Carolyn Shearlock says
That’s why it’s important to keep the mayo uncontaminated! If it’s been mixed with something else, yes, it should be considered as contaminated. Only what is IN the container and has only had a clean utinsel touch it should be kept outside the refrigerator.
Sharon Provenzano says
My Mother never had the mayo in the fridge when I was growing up. But if a mistake was made and it went in, then it had to stay in the fridge until it was used up.
Red Canoe says
thanks for the article! I have a few friends that don’t refrigerate the mayo. what are your thoughts on mayo and heat? If it’s hot and I take a side container of it to add to my lunch (work)?
The Boat Galley says
It’s over 100 here in the Bahamas (and it was in the Sea of Cortez, too) and I’m not refrigerating it. The more times you put it in a different container, the bigger the risk of contamination. So if you are going to put it in a little dish, make sure the dish is totally clean and so is the spoon you use to transfer it. I’d be less concerned to just have a squeeze bottle (unrefrigerated) that you keep at work.
Red Canoe says
great! thank you!
Jane Gammons says
Agreed. I don’t refrigerate mayo either. If you are uncomfortable buy a pint instead of a quart.
epemae says
When I was growing up we never put mayo in the fridge and it never made anyone sick. I’m so glad I found your website. Thanks for all the great tips.
Sailing Kittiwake (Elena) says
This is so true! We found out by mistake by tasting our squeezy mayo after 2 months of cruising – it was forgotten in a locker! And it tasted perfect! My boyfriend’s super happy about it 😀
Debbie Graves says
Haven’t in years’
Karen Bowen says
I tried it based on your post. After 2 summers we are converts and stopped refrigerating many of our condiments and salad dressings.
Karen Belinda says
Just can’t get there….yet anyway.
Marcella Balkema says
At the rate I eat mayonnaise, there’s no need to refrigerate it 🙂
Pamela Blanchard says
We never have. It freaks people out.
Andrea Fuchs says
Yes, don’t refrigerate mayo, just be a bit careful. BUT! Do me and the good old globe a favour and do not buy individual packages as suggested. You do not die from unrefridgerated mayo, but we all die from plastic waste. PLEEAASE!
Shannon Gladden says
We do not.
Sonya Meredith Nyberg says
I have never refrigerated it. Still livin obviously. This is not new news
Beverly says
It was NEW news to me, thanks
Betsy Ash says
I knew about any vinegar related things, ketchup, mustard etc…but MAYO!! Yee Hawww !! 🙂 now to teach the other half not to double dip!! Yes, thank you for all the great tips and hints.
Dave Skolnick (S/V Auspicious) says
I posted on this subject four years ago but will repeat myself. Americans put all kinds of silly things in the fridge. Condiments including mayo, mustard, and hot sauces simply do not need to be refrigerated. As Carolyn so aptly notes good food safety practices are important.
I do keep homemade mayo outside in small amounts, reusing smaller squeeze bottles that are sterilized using the same USDA guidelines as for home canning.
Acquaintances will invite you to dinner. Friends will tell you to bring your laundry. Good friends will let you run all your boat dishes through their dishwasher. Extra heat, extra dry and you’re looking at some pretty sterile containers.
Ted Broom says
I like the squeeze bottle solution. But even then the tops can get dirty. With all the extra alcohol wipes and sanitizers about now, I wonder if wiping the squeeze tops and spout is s good idea.
Breanna Fountain says
I stopped refrigerating mayo several years ago and the clean spoon method is a great tactic. To avoid growth on opened maple syrup, top off with a bit of rum as the density is lighter and will sit on top of the syrup to seal it.
Today our freezer will work again after 3 years of only a fridge!