Picture this: you’re cleaning out your fridge, searching for some last-minute spicy seasoning for your barbeque, when low and behold, at the back of your fridge, you find a bottle of hot sauce.
The hot sauce looks and smells fresh, but you don’t even remember when you bought it. That makes you wonder: how long does hot sauce last? And how can you tell when hot sauce is fine to eat or when it’s past its expiration?
The shelf life of most types of commercial hot sauce is between 1-2 years when unopened according to the USDA. However, after opening it, it will normally last for several months up to a year depending on the type, how it was made, and how it was stored.
An Odd Consistency
Depending on your chosen sauce, the consistency of it can be thicker or more watery upon opening. If your sauce has changed a lot from its original consistency, you might want to skip putting it on those wings.
Capsaicin in Chili Peppers
The main chemical compound in chili peppers, called capsaicin, is what makes those peppers so spicy. Capsaicin also happens to have strong antibacterial properties, which means that higher amounts of capsaicin may prolong the shelf life of different foods, such as hot sauce.
Is it OK to use expired hot sauce?
FAQ
Is it okay to eat expired hot sauce?
How can you tell if hot sauce has gone bad?
Can bacteria grow in hot sauce?
Can you eat expired sauce?
Is it safe to eat hot sauce after expiration date?
Note: “Sell by” or “Use by” dates are a good indicator of freshness, but a passed date does not always mean that food is spoiled. However, if you see that the “ expiration date” has passed, the food is no longer considered safe to eat. Is It Okay If Hot Sauce Changes Color? The original color of a hot sauce is often vibrant and colorful.
What is the difference between tomato puree and tomato sauce?
There is no substantial difference between the tomato puree and tomato sauce. Their preparation methods are also primarily similar. Tomato puree is the pure extract of boiled and peeled tomatoes and are strained to remove the seeds and is thick in consistency compared to tomato sauce. Whereas tomato sauce has added ingredients like herbs, spices and vegetables, which gives flavour
How long does hot sauce last?
However, you may expect a slight difference with the flavor. If this doesn’t meet your standard, it’s always better to get a new bottle. Once opened, hot sauce retains its freshness for 6 months with pantry storage and much longer with continuous refrigeration. There are so many varieties of hot sauces in the market.
Does a hot sauce bottle have an expiration date?
Speaking of printed dates … The date printed on a hot sauce bottle is a best-by date that only estimates how long the product should keep top quality. It’s by no means an expiration date and has little to do with food safety. That said, most brands recommend using their products before the printed date to get the best possible quality.