You're storing your sauces wrong! Experts reveal the correct spot for every single condiment - and finally settle the debate on where ketchup belongs

Whether it's a Full English Breakfast or a healthy salad, most meals are vastly improved by the addition of some kind of sauce. 

But where is the best place to store your favourite condiments, dressings, and relishes?

Many foodies opt for the fridge, amid the belief that this will keep their favourite sauces fresher for longer. 

Others are convinced that sauces contain enough preservatives that it's safe to keep them in the cupboard. 

Thankfully, help is at hand, as Which? has revealed the correct spot for every single sauce in your kitchen - including ketchup. 

'We consulted food experts, including a registered dietitian, for the definitive guide to what goes where and why,' it explained. 

While this might sound trivial, getting it wrong could put your health at risk.

So, have you been storing your sauces in the right place? 

Condiments and sauces you should keep in the fridge

1. Mayonnaise

While mayonnaise does contain vinegar, there's not enough in there to safely store the condiment outside the fridge, according to Which?'s consultant dietitian, Dr Sarah Schenker. 

'Pasteurisation provides an extra layer of safety, but it should still be refrigerated,' she advised. 

2. Pesto

Pesto should 'definitely be refrigerated', according to Which?. 

Because it contains nuts, pesto can develop mould that produces toxic compounds called mycotoxins. 

Worryingly, this includes aflatoxin - a dangerous bacteria that can cause serious liver damage. 

Dr Schenker advised: 'Mould can be hard to see on pesto, especially if it's green, so don't take any chances either way, and stick to the label advice.' 

3. Salad cream

Salad cream contains several preservatives, including potassium sorbate and spirit vinegar. 

But don't let these ingredients fool you into storing it in the cupboard. 

Because it contains egg, Which? says that salad cream should be refrigerated. 

'Condiments like salad cream are often left lingering outside during summer parties and barbecues,' Dr Schenker said. 

'It's best to decant some into a bowl to use, to prevent the entire bottle lying around in warm conditions.' 

4. Maple syrup

One of the most surprising sauces that Which? advises keeping it the fridge is maple syrup. 

Maple syrup has a sugar content of just less than 60 per cent - the threshold at which sugar acts as a preservative to keep microbial degradation at bay. 

So, if you keep it in the cupboard, you may soon see mould starting to form. 

'People may think that because it's a syrup, it can be treated like others syrups such as golden syrup,' Dr Schenker said.

'But they're from different plants and have different properties, so require different treatment.' 

5. Tartare sauce

Like salad cream, tartare sauce contains egg, so is best kept in the fridge. 

Dr Schenker advised: 'Remember to check opened jars of so-called "occasion" sauces, such as tartare sauce or cranberry sauce, before you eat them, because it may be some time since you last had the need to use them.'

6. Redcurrant jelly

Redcurrant jelly is the final condiment that Dr Schenker advises keeping in the fridge. 

'There can be a separation of water on the surface that creates a layer with low sugar content, which is an ideal breeding ground for mould,' she said. 

Condiments and sauces you should keep in the cupboard

1. Ketchup

In news that will come as a surprise to many home cooks, ketchup does not need to be stored in the fridge. 

That's because it contains vinegar as well as naturally acidic tomatoes, which help to preserve the sauce at room temperature. 

Dr Schenker said: 'Sometimes people keep ketchup in the fridge, simply because they prefer a chilled taste, but otherwise it doesn't need to be refrigerated.' 

2. Brown sauce

Like ketchup, brown sauce contains preservatives including malt and spirit vinegar, so is fine to keep in the cupboard. 

'It's vinegar-based, so keeping it in the fridge isn't necessary,' Dr Schenker said.

3. Honey 

While maple syrup must be refrigerated, honey is safe to keep in the cupboard thanks to its high sugar content and preservative hydrogen peroxide. 

Dr Schenker said: 'Honey is found in hives at an ambient temperature – much like keeping it in a cupboard – so refrigeration isn't necessary.' 

4. Mint sauce

Mint sauce contains high leels of spirit vinegar, which acts as a preservative. 

Technically this means it's safe to keep in the cupboard - although Dr Schenker advises keeping it in the fridge if you don't regularly use it. 

'The trouble with "occasion" sauces is that they can sit around for a long time between uses,' she explained. 

'That's why it's best to refrigerate them and throw them out if you can't recall when you opened them.' 

5. Pickle

Pickles also contain preservatives, so are fine to keep in the kitchen cupboard. 

Dr Schenker said: 'Pickles and chutneys originally came about as a way of preserving fresh fruit and vegetables so, by their very nature, they're OK outside the fridge.' 

However, pickles can become contaminated with stray crumbs - so make sure you only use clean knives when using them. 

6. Olive oil

One sauce that you definitely want to keep in the cupboard is olive oil - as storing it in the fridge will cause it to solidify. 

'This is just a pure ingredient, so there is nothing that can contaminate it, such as bacteria,' said Dr Schenker.

'Therefore it's fine at an ambient temperature.' 

7. Soy sauce

The label on your soy sauce probably advises you to keep it in the fridge after opening. 

However, Dr Schenker maintains that this isn't necessary. 

'There's no need to refrigerate soy sauce, because anything with such a high salt content is highly preserved,' she said. 

8. Mango chutney

Like pickles, chutneys are safe to store in the cupboard, thanks to their high sugar content and preservatives. 

Dr Schenker said: 'Much like pickle, mango chutney has also gone through a process of being preserved, so it doesn't need to be in the fridge.' 

9. Malt vinegar

Not only can malt vinegar be stored in the cupboard, but it also has an indefinite shelf life. 

'The high acidity of vinegar means that any contaminant such as bacteria or mould getting into the bottle wouldn't stand a chance of living,' the expert explained. 

10. Hot pepper sauce

Many brands - including Nando's - will advise keeping hot pepper sauce in the fridge, but Dr Schenker says that the cupboard is fine, thanks to the inclusion of vinegar. 

She said: 'Some chilli sauces also contain high amounts of sugar, which give extra preservative protection.' 

11. Worcestershire sauce

Because it contains fish, some people think that Worcestershire sauce needs to be kept in the fridge. 

However, this sauce is fermented, meaning it won't go off - and is fine to keep in the cupboard. 

'Fermented foods can last for ages because, technically, they've already "gone off",' Dr Schenker said.

'However, like wine, they will eventually oxidise, especially as you get towards the end of the bottle and more air gets in.' 

12. Mustard (English, Dijon and Wholegrain)

English, Dijon and Wholegrain mustards are all safe to keep in the cupboard, although some people prefer the look of mustards kept in the fridge. 

Dr Schenker said: 'Storing mustard in the fridge is more about preserving the colour, which may change in a warmer environment.' 

13. Piccalilli

Piccalilli is loaded with vinegar as well as potassium sorbate, meaning it's fine to keep in the cupboard. 

However, if you like your piccalilli to remain bright and crunchy, you should opt for the fridge. 

Dr Schenker added: 'Keeping it in the fridge might also help to keep the vegetables in it crispy, but that's down to preference.'