Short answer: store chicken pickle in a cool, dry place away from the stove and direct sunlight, keep the oil layer above the pieces, and always use a clean dry spoon. For our jars, refrigeration is not necessary after opening, as long as those habits hold.
Chicken pickle is a preserved food, but it is not indestructible. What protects it is the combination of spice, salt and a generous layer of oil that keeps air away from the meat. Good storage is really about protecting that seal. Here is the routine we follow and recommend.
Before opening
Keep the sealed jar in a cupboard or shelf that stays cool and dry. Avoid the space right above the stove, near the oven, or on a sunny windowsill, because heat and light change the oil over time. Our FAQ states that our jars are shelf stable for one year from manufacture when sealed, so check the date on the label and plan around it.
After opening
- Keep the oil on top. The oil layer is the jar's lid on the inside. If the pieces poke above it, press them down gently with a clean spoon.
- Clean and dry spoon only. A wet spoon or one that has touched rice brings in water and food bits, and that is how pickle spoils.
- Close the lid tightly after every use so moisture and kitchen smells stay out.
- Do not leave it open on the table through a long meal. Spoon out what you need and put the jar back.
Our FAQ puts it simply: refrigeration is not necessary; keep the jar in a cool dry place, keep the gingelly oil layer above the pickle, and always use a clean dry spoon.
Can you store chicken pickle without a fridge?
Yes, for our jars. This is one of the most common questions we get, especially from people who travel, live in hostels or send jars to family. The answer lies in the oil and the process, which we explain in how meat pickle is preserved without chemicals. If you are unsure about a jar that has been open for a while, these signs of spoilage will tell you more than any calendar.
For timelines, read how long chicken pickle lasts, and for the question of safety once the seal is broken, see is chicken pickle safe to eat after opening.
What we pack at PuliPOP
Pickles by PuliPOP Chicken Pickle is boneless chicken in a deep, spicy masala. It is a small batch jar cooked slowly in gingelly oil and preserved in it, made in our own FSSAI licensed kitchen, with no added preservatives on the label. Pair it with buffalo in The Land POP, or browse every jar in Pickles by PuliPOP.