10 Groceries That Alabamians Put in Their Pantry When They Should Really Be in Their Fridge
You probably think you’ve got your grocery storage system down to a science.
Pasta? Pantry.
Milk? Fridge.
Easy, right? But there are actually a bunch of foods that many Alabamians toss in the pantry without realizing they should be kept cold. The fridge can help them last longer, taste better, or even stay safer to eat.
So, before your next grocery trip, check out this list. You might be surprised at how many of these sneaky fridge-needing items are hanging out in your pantry where they don’t belong.
Natural Peanut Butter
We’re going to go out on a limb and say that most Americans store peanut butter in the pantry, which is totally fine for the regular kind. But natural peanut butter—the kind that just has peanuts and maybe some salt—needs to go in the fridge.
That’s because it doesn’t have the preservatives that the other kinds do. If you leave it out too long, the oils will separate faster. A spoonful of peanut oil with your bread, anyone?
When you refrigerate natural peanut butter, it’s a little harder to spread at first, but that’s nothing a few minutes out on the counter can’t fix. Plus, you won’t have to spend time stirring natural peanut butter like you would if it sits in your pantry for awhile.
So, if you’ve got a jar of the natural stuff sitting in your pantry right now, it’s time to move it.
Check the label—most brands even say “Refrigerate after opening.” They’re not being bossy. They’re trying to save your next meal.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup feels like it belongs in the pantry next to the pancake mix, but that’s not actually the best spot for it. Real maple syrup is made from tree sap, and once you open it, it can go bad if it’s not kept cold.
Mold doesn’t love sugar, but if your natural maple syrup sits in the pantry long enough, it may develop a layer of mold on top.
Storing your maple syrup in the fridge helps keep the flavor fresh and the syrup safer to eat. It won’t get super thick like natural peanut butter either—just a little cooler and easier to pour slowly over your waffles.
If you’re using the fake syrup that’s mostly corn syrup, that stuff can stay out. But if you shelled out for the real deal, treat it right.
Not sure if your syrup is real or fake? Check the ingredients. If it just says “maple syrup,” it’s the good kind.
If it’s got a list of things you can’t pronounce, you can probably leave it in the cupboard.
Ketchup
Ketchup is one of those big debates. Some people swear it belongs in the fridge, while others keep it in the pantry and say it’s just fine.
Here’s the deal: before you open it, ketchup is shelf-stable. But once it’s open, the fridge is the safer choice.
Why?
Ketchup has vinegar and sugar, which help preserve it, but that doesn’t mean it lasts forever. Cold temperatures slow down the growth of bacteria and help the flavor stay fresh.
If you’ve ever had warm ketchup that tasted a little off, pantry storage could be the culprit.
Restaurants leave ketchup out, sure—but they go through it way faster than you do at home. If you’ve got a bottle that lasts weeks or even months, your fridge is the better bet.
Tortillas
A lot of people toss their tortillas in the pantry right next to the bread. That works for a little while, especially if you’re eating them quickly. But if you’re not using them up in a few days, the fridge is where they should be.
Tortillas, especially the ones without a bunch of preservatives, can grow mold quite fast.
The moisture in the dough makes them a good target for bacteria if they’re left out too long. Your fridge helps keep them fresh and mold-free for longer.
Even flour tortillas can last up to a month in the fridge, while corn ones stay even longer.
If you really want to stretch their life, you can even freeze them. Just make sure to seal the bag tight, or they’ll dry out.
Nuts
You might think nuts are pantry staples, but they actually do way better in the fridge. That’s because nuts are full of healthy oils, and those oils can go bad if they sit in a warm spot for too long.
The result? They start to taste bitter or stale.
This is especially true for walnuts, pine nuts, and pecans. These nuts have a higher oil content and spoil faster than others.
The silver lining? Your fridge keeps oils from breaking down, so your nuts taste fresh every time you grab a handful.
If you’ve got big bags of nuts you’re not going to finish right away, stash them in the fridge or even the freezer. Just let them warm up a little before you snack—unless you like your almonds extra crunchy.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce feels like it should be one of those things that never goes bad. And technically, unopened soy sauce lasts a really long time in the pantry.
But once you open the bottle, the flavor can start to change if it’s not kept cold.
Even though soy sauce is salty (which helps preserve it), oxygen can still mess with the flavor over time. The fridge keeps it tasting like it should—salty, rich, and perfect for your stir-fry or sushi.
You don’t have to refrigerate it, but it’s worth it if you want the best flavor.
Also, if your soy sauce says “low sodium,” definitely refrigerate that one. It doesn’t have the same preserving power as the regular kind, so it spoils faster.
Jam and Jelly
Jams and jellies might seem like pantry heroes, but once you pop that lid, it’s fridge time. Even though they’re sugary, which helps preserve them a bit, they’re still full of fruit.
And fruit can grow mold pretty fast if it’s not kept cool.
You might not see the mold right away, but it can start on the inside of the lid or along the edges. Once that happens, the whole jar is a goner.
The fridge slows all that down and keeps your spreads safe and tasty.
If you ever see a jar that says “refrigerate after opening,” believe it! It’s not just there for fun—it’s there to save your toast from a bad surprise.
Hot Sauce
You’d think hot sauce could survive a volcano, let alone a pantry. And it kind of can—but only for a while.
The vinegar and salt in hot sauce help preserve it, but after it’s opened, the flavor can fade if you leave it out.
Keeping hot sauce in the fridge helps it keep that punchy, spicy kick. It also prevents it from separating or getting weird textures, especially with more natural or homemade varieties.
Ever used a watery, sad-looking bottle of hot sauce? That’s pantry life for you.
Some hot sauces—like sriracha—taste just fine either way.
But if you’re not using your hot sauce all the time, and you want it to stay top-notch, give it a shelf in your fridge.
Avocados (After They’re Ripe)
Avocados are tricky to pick out at the store, let alone maintain in your home.
But here’s the rule of thumb: If your avocados are rock-hard and not ripe yet, the pantry or countertop is the place for them. Once they’re soft and ready to eat, they go bad fast—and that’s when the fridge becomes your best friend.
Cold temperatures slow down the ripening process, so a ripe avocado will last an extra few days in the fridge. That gives you a little more time to decide if you’re making guacamole or just slicing it for toast.
No more brown mushy messes!
If you’ve already cut open an avocado, store it in the fridge with the pit still in and cover it tightly.
It won’t stay perfect for weeks, but you’ll squeeze a bit more life out of it.
Applesauce
Unopened applesauce is totally fine in the pantry. But after you open that jar, it should head straight for the fridge.
Even though applesauce is acidic and sugary, it still has fruit—and that means it can spoil if it’s left out.
Keeping applesauce cold helps stop bacteria and mold from growing. Plus, in our humble opinion, it tastes better chilled.
And don’t forget about those single-serve applesauce cups.
If you happen to open one and don’t finish it (that’s willpower right there), don’t leave it on the counter. Seal it up and pop it in the fridge to finish later.
24 Facts About Spam Most Americans Don’t Know
Love it or hate it, Spam is a cultural staple. If you’re still hesitant about the so-called mystery meat, these facts might make you realize it’s not (quite) as bad as you think.
24 Facts About Spam Most Americans Don’t Know
25 British Foods Americans Are Missing Out On
From traditional meat pies to newer inventions, like Monster Munch, the United Kingdom is full of food-based treasures that Americans are missing out on. These are some foods you shouldn’t miss the next time you’re in England.
