(really, i don’t know)

eat half your sandwich.

Last edited Tue Jul 1, 2025, 08:09 PM - Edit history (1)

As little time as possible, certainly less than two hours.
https://greatist.com/eat/how-long-is-it-safe-to-leave-potato-salad-out-of-the-refrigerator
If temp is above 90, it's one hour.

On a hot day, if the mayo is outside, it could turn bad in under an hour - room temperature (air conditioned) I'd trust it for maybe 2 hours.

Anything with at least ac15% salt percentage such as a typical soy sauce, could last for years. In the case of muscle meats or other dense proteins such as salamis or meats you really have to supplement with #1 or #2 curing salts. But kept at a temp below 59F salads can last a few days. They will create lactic acid bacteria - hopefully - that can dramatically alter PH and taste. If people are putting used spoons or forks into your salad all estimates are off. And if the density of your mayo has been watered down.

that if it hit room temperature you were in trouble. That will usually happen in an hour +/- but in the summer outside on a picnic table you can easily cut that in just abo0ut half. If you really pay attention you will see a change in appearance also. Summertime I won't eat anything with mayo that I'm not 100% sure of how long it's been sitting out.

Last edited Tue Jul 1, 2025, 11:12 PM - Edit history (1)

it lasts longer, but I don't know what the timing is.

It is not for eating

Well, you did ask.

Seriously though I’ve observed people who grew up with things about food Father forced her to eat onions and she’s 65 years old and she physically cannot choke down an onion. It’s all in her head just like me and mayonnaise- which for the record, is completely vile.

I hope that this has been helpful

And I eat raw fish and seaweed right out of the ocean

Mayo will separate and get gross, but the oil in it provides some protection from bacterial growth. But the potatoes are full of starch and provide a good breeding ground for bacteria. Potatoes in their jackets are ripe opportunities for botulism bacteria/toxins. NEVER eat a potato that’s been left out of the fridge without heating it thoroughly and remember, heating food doesn’t destroy toxins that have already developed from the bacteria.