10 Fridge Essentials You Should Toss Right Now

You've updated your calendar, set new goals, and started clearing out clutter. A new year is the perfect time to let go of things that no longer serve you—or in this case, things your fridge and pantry can no longer serve you. Ready to refresh your kitchen? Here are a few items you may have overlooked, but definitely need to go.

Top Items to Clear Out for a Fresh Start

1. Expired Baking Soda

Can baking soda really go bad? Sort of. After opening, its effectiveness starts to fade after about 6 months. While it’s still useful for things like laundry or unclogging drains, if you're planning to bake something like soda bread, you’ll need a fresh box.

2. Baking Powder

The same applies to baking powder. Are your biscuits flat? It could be because your leavening agent is past its prime. The USDA recommends tossing it after just 3 months of opening. Mine might be a bit beyond that, too.

3. Condiments

This one is a bit tricky. Some condiments can last longer if stored in the fridge, saving you from making another purchase. But with the new year upon us, it's a good time to check expiration dates and be honest. How long has that ketchup been hanging around? Is the crust on that mustard old enough to vote? And don’t forget to inspect your hot sauce as well.

4. Jam or Jelly

While some jam jars might seem like they last forever, it’s always worth checking as the year ends. The high sugar and acid content, along with cooler storage, can prolong jelly's shelf life—but once mixed with other foods (like peanut butter), bacteria can grow faster. Unopened jars can last up to a year in a cool pantry, but once opened, it’s best to toss them after 6 months in the fridge.

5. Opened Broth Cartons

Once the last bit of pan drippings has been transformed into gravy, it’s time to part with that open carton of chicken or vegetable broth. Since most cartons are opaque, it’s hard to see if the broth has spoiled. Rather than letting it sit there and go bad, freeze any leftovers in an ice cube tray for convenient, portioned broth cubes that will come in handy later. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

6. Soft Cheeses

This one’s a no-brainer, yet how many times have you looked at a half-finished cream cheese and decided to let it sit just a bit longer? Soft cheeses have a short lifespan—typically 1 to 2 weeks after opening. It’s time to say goodbye to that leftover Brie from last weekend’s party.

7. Eggnog (and Other Holiday Beverages)

Now that the holiday festivities have wrapped up, it’s time to clear out those seasonal items from the fridge. Even ultra-pasteurized, non-alcoholic eggnog should be tossed after 14 days once opened. Any leftover juice or mixers that haven’t been used should also go, as their expiration is similar.

8. Salad Greens

With the chaos of the past few weeks, that weekly container of salad greens was probably forgotten, buried under holiday prep, desserts, and drinks. If they’re wilted, slimy, or mushy, it’s time for a fresh start. For tips on keeping your greens fresh longer in the fridge, check out our storage tips here.

9. Forgotten Leftovers

We’ve all had that moment when we open a Tupperware and have no idea what’s inside. You crack it open, only to discover a fuzzy, smelly, unpleasant mystery. What was it? Who knows? Anything in the fridge that’s clearly gone bad should be tossed. And if cleaning out moldy containers sounds like a hassle, maybe it’s time to invest in a stylish new set that’s safe for the fridge, freezer, or oven.

10. Holiday Leftovers

If you still have leftovers after all the holiday feasting, consider yourself lucky! Maybe you hosted a big dinner or attended a festive gathering with extra turkey, ham, or mac and cheese hanging around. At this point, though, they’ve likely overstayed their welcome and should be discarded. Remember, leftovers should be eaten within a week, no matter how tasty they were or how many times you reheated them. To keep them safe, store leftovers properly by refrigerating within two hours in shallow containers, where they’ll last up to five days, or freeze them for up to six months.