Does salad dressing need to be refrigerated?

Needs Refrigeration:

* Homemade dressings: These are typically made with fresh ingredients like mayonnaise, oil, vinegar, and herbs. They can spoil quickly at room temperature due to the presence of perishable ingredients.

* Store-bought dressings containing:

* Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is an egg-based emulsion, which makes it susceptible to bacterial growth at room temperature.

* Dairy products: Dressings containing milk, yogurt, or sour cream also need to be refrigerated.

* Eggs: Some dressings contain raw eggs, which can carry salmonella.

* Other perishable ingredients: This could include fresh herbs, garlic, or other ingredients that can spoil.

Does NOT need refrigeration:

* Oil and vinegar dressings: These dressings are generally safe at room temperature because the acidity of the vinegar inhibits bacterial growth.

* Bottled dressings labeled "refrigerate after opening": Even though they may be shelf-stable before opening, once they're exposed to air, they become more susceptible to spoilage and should be refrigerated.

Always check the label:

The best way to know if your salad dressing needs refrigeration is to check the label. It will tell you how to store it properly.

In general, it's always safer to refrigerate any salad dressing that contains mayonnaise or other perishable ingredients.