How long can Chick fil A sauce last in the fridge

When it comes to fast food chains and the sauces they offer up to compliment their menu items, Chick-fil-A has created one that has developed a cult-like following. Hailey Bieber may be mystified by Shake Shack's signature condiment, but Chick-fil-A's sauce is something else entirely. And while there are plenty of quick-service restaurants that like to shroud their sauce in mystery — take McDonald's Big Mac and its special sauce (via Youtube) — this fast food chain that specializes in all things chicken makes no secret about the flavors that come together to make customers sing this sauce's praises. 

In a Tweet shared back in 2012, the "Eat Mor Chikin" business wrote, "Chick-fil-A Sauce is a magical blend of Honey Mustard, Barbecue and Ranch Sauces." Sounds easy enough to make at home, and yet, you've probably found yourself grabbing a couple of extra containers of this sweet yet savory sauce to stash at home. Chick-fil-A shared on their website that in 2014 their franchises ordered 285,895,456 servings of this sauce, which represents a third of all their sauces distributed in the U.S. That nine-digit number definitely speaks to how beloved their sauce is – in 2020 the chain even began selling bottles of the stuff in grocery stores. But inquiring minds want to know how long this unique condiment lasts before it goes bad.

The sauce's freshness depends on how it's stored

Of course, this is assuming you have stored it correctly.

Any exposure to heat, light, and humidity can cause premature spoilage.

The same is not true for homemade Chick-Fil-A sauce. Homemade Chick-Fil-A must be stored in the refrigerator within 8 hours after creation, or 4 hours if high humidity levels or temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Long Does Chick-Fil-A Sauce Packet Last?

Chick-Fil-A sauce is so tremendously good, that most customers can’t help but stash a few extra packets in their pocket before heading out.

And while it would be a dream come true for these packets to last forever, that’s simply not the case.

Chick-Fil-A packets are designed to have a relatively long shelf life, up to a year when stored properly.

If storing in the pantry, make sure they are in a dark and cool environment. The fridge is another excellent spot for Chick-Fil-A packets.

You can keep them on the side door as they aren’t overly fussy about temperature fluctuations (unlike other perishables).

How Long Does Homemade Chick-Fil-A Sauce Last?

Homemade Chick-Fil-A sauce has a much shorter shelf life compared to store-bought Chick-Fil-A sauce and Chick-Fil-A sauce packets.

When stored correctly in the fridge, homemade Chick-Fil-A sauce will last up to a week.

This is due to the mayonnaise and complementing ingredients.

There are also no added preservatives in the homemade version, so it won’t have the same shelf life as its commercially-made counterparts.

How to Make Your Own Chick-Fil-A sauce?

Making your own Chick-Fil-A sauce is a cinch and only requires four ingredients and a mixing bowl.

Add ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon mustard, and 1 tablespoon each of barbecue sauce and honey to a mixing bowl.

Stir generously until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Use immediately and store any leftovers in an airtight container.

How to Store Chick-Fil-A Sauce

Whether you have store-bought Chick-Fil-A sauce, Chick-Fil-A sauce packets, or decided to make your own homemade Chick-Fil-A, the best place for your sauce is in the fridge.

This is true for items that are unopened and opened.

How to Store Chick-Fil-A Sauce Packets

Chick-Fil-A sauce packets can be left in the packet and stuck on the side door of the refrigerator or in the back of the pantry for up to a year.

How to Store Store-Bought Chick-Fil-A Sauce Bottles

Unopened store-bought Chick-Fil-A bottles can be stored in the back of the pantry for 10-12 months or in the refrigerator for up to a year.

Opened store-bought Chick-Fil-A bottles should be left in the bottle and stored anywhere in the fridge for 3-6 months.

How To Store Homemade Chick-Fil-A Sauce

Homemade Chick-Fil-A must be stored in an airtight container and stored toward the back of the refrigerator for up to a week.

Can You Freeze Chick-Fil-A sauce?

Now, there isn’t a rule saying you can’t. However, just because you “can” doesn’t mean you necessarily “should.”

The issue with storing Chick-Fil-A sauce in the freezer is that the ingredients will separate. In turn, the texture and flavor will deteriorate, even after thawing.

With that in mind, it’s best to store Chick-Fil-A sauce in the fridge and use it before it goes bad. (Which shouldn’t be a huge problem, considering Chick-Fil-A sauce can go with several meals from burgers to pizza, fries to fish tacos).

How Do You Know If Chick-Fil-A Sauce Is Bad?

Do you have a bottle of store-bought Chick-Fil-A sauce hiding in the back of your pantry, and you’re not quite sure if it’s good anymore?

Chick-Fil-A sauce that has gone bad will have an awful taste. It will also have an “off” odor that is especially acidic or pungent.

Chick-Fil-A notoriously becomes thicker when it’s gone bad, so check the consistency. Lastly, check for any changes in the color or if any mold is present.

Thickening

One of the easiest ways to determine whether your store-bought Chick-Fil-A sauce or Chick-Fil-A packets have gone bad or not is to check for thickening.

Chick-Fil-A sauce will generally have a smooth and light consistency, not clumpy or thick.

Off Smell

If there is a noticeable difference in the smell of your Chick-Fil-A sauce, it’s best to toss it. Chick-Fil-A that has spoiled will have an odd, pungent odor that is especially acidic in some cases.

Changes in Appearance

Think back to what your Chick-Fil-A sauce is supposed to look like: creamy with a deep, rich golden hue that looks pleasant and inviting.

Now, look at your current packet or bottle of Chick-Fil-A sauce. Does it look the same, or are there noticeable changes in appearance?

If your Chick-Fil-A sauce is anything but the golden-y, “eat me right now” hue it once was, toss it out.

Disgusting Taste

The Chick-Fil-A sauce is as infamous as the Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich. That said, it’s fairly obvious when the taste isn’t quite right.

While Chick-Fil-A sauce will typically have an angelic blend of sweetness, tanginess, and smokiness that sing, spoiled Chick-Fil-A sauce will taste anything but.

So, be daring if you must. Put a blot of Chick-Fil-A sauce on your finger and give it a taste.

If you feel like you’ve been transported to Chick-Fil-A heaven, keep it. If you feel like you’ve just stuck your tongue into a pile of trash, ditch it.

Mold

You don’t want to eat mold. Not only will it gross you out, but it could also make you sick. Give your Chick-Fil-A sauce a good look-over before consuming it.

If there are any concerning dark or colorful spots in the sauce, toss them out immediately.

What Happens If You Eat Bad/Expires Chick-Fil-A Sauce?

While eating expired Chick-Fil-A sauce likely won’t make healthy individuals incredibly ill, it definitely won’t create a dining experience to remember.

In fact, you’re likely to be grossed out by the flavor before consuming too much that it causes any sickness.

It is possible to experience subtle food poisoning symptoms such as stomachache and diarrhea. That said, it’s best to toss the Chick-Fil-A sauce if it shows any signs of spoilage.

Final Words

Chick-Fil-A sauce is one of those special sauces that people drool over, so it’s no wonder why they may end up with plenty of it in their arsenal.

The good news is that store-bought Chick-Fil-A sauce and Chick-Fil-A sauce packets have a relatively long shelf life.

Homemade Chick-Fil-A sauce tastes just as good and is convenient. However, it won’t last longer than a week in the fridge.

We are a team of passionate moms and homemakers. Among us are certified nutritionists, chefs, certified food handlers, accountants, financial gurus, and other professionals. Our joint goal is to educate homemakers. Check out the about us page for more information about our team’s credentials.

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