Yes, maraschino cherries go bad, but slowly. An unopened jar keeps a long time, and an opened standard jar belongs in the fridge. Below: how long each kind lasts, how to spot a jar that’s turned, and which source each figure comes from.
Do maraschino cherries go bad?
The Short Answer
Yes, but slowly. Unopened maraschino cherries are shelf-stable and belong in a cool, dry place, and Luxardo’s own product sheet lists a 3-year shelf life. After opening, refrigerate standard supermarket jars, as the store-brand labels direct. We did not locate an authoritative timeframe specifically for opened maraschino cherries, so follow your label, take a conservative approach, and discard a jar that is moldy, leaking, bulging, damaged or smells off.
For a complete pantry storage reference, see our Food Storage Guide. Wondering where to keep a jar? See our guide on whether maraschino cherries need to be refrigerated.
Do Maraschino Cherries Go Bad: At a Glance
Unopened, standard red jar
Cool, dry pantry. Store-brand labels say 40 to 80°F and give no time span
Unopened, Luxardo
3 years on Luxardo’s own product sheet. The sheet gives no storage instruction
Unopened, closest official figure
12 to 18 months for canned fruit (NDSU, Wyoming chart based on USDA’s FoodKeeper). Not maraschino-specific
Opened, standard supermarket jar
Refrigerate. Store-brand labels say so
Opened, how long
No authoritative maraschino-specific time located. Closest comparison: 5 to 7 days for opened canned fruit
Opened, Luxardo
Follow your jar’s label. One retailer’s listing advises a closed jar in a cool, dry place
Discard
A jar that is leaking, bulging, moldy or foul-smelling. Our other cautions are listed below
Crystals in the syrup
A texture change, not a spoilage sign. A Luxardo sheet says cold can crystallize its syrup
Key Takeaways
Yes, maraschino cherries go bad, but slowly. Unopened jars keep a long time in a cool, dry pantry, and Luxardo’s own product sheet lists a 3-year shelf life.
Standard supermarket jars say to refrigerate after opening. Giant’s and Best Choice’s store-brand labels both say so, and so does Tillen Farms for its own cherries.
We did not locate an authoritative manufacturer or government timeframe specifically for opened maraschino cherries. The closest comparison is opened canned fruit, which NDSU Extension lists at 5 to 7 days in one table and 2 to 4 days in another. Neither names maraschino cherries.
A date on the jar is about quality, per USDA. It isn’t a guarantee that a jar is safe, so check the jar’s condition too.
Discard a jar that is leaking, bulging, moldy or foul-smelling. Our other cautions, such as bubbling or cloudy syrup, are our own, and we don’t suggest tasting to test.
Which Maraschino Cherries Do You Have?
Bright red supermarket jars, naturally colored cherries and Luxardo-style cocktail cherries have different labels. If you’re asking where to keep them, see our guide on whether maraschino
