Here’s the deal with tomato sauce:
- Unopened jar: An unopened jar of store-bought tomato sauce is shelf-stable. It doesn’t require refrigeration thanks to the high acidity level of tomatoes, which acts as a natural preservative, and the sealed container. You can safely store it in your pantry for up to 18 months from the purchase date (check the “best by” or “use by” date on the label).
- Opened jar: Once you open the jar, it’s best to refrigerate it. Exposure to air can introduce bacteria that can lead to spoilage. Refrigerated opened tomato sauce will typically last for 3-5 days, though some sources say up to a week. The quality might deteriorate after that, with flavor changes or potential mold growth.
- Homemade tomato sauce: Homemade tomato sauce, because it likely won’t have the same level of acidity or preservatives as commercial varieties, should be refrigerated right away after cooking and cooling slightly. Homemade tomato sauce typically lasts 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Signs of spoilage: Regardless of whether it’s store-bought or homemade, if your tomato sauce develops mold, has an off odor, or an abnormal texture, it’s best to discard it for safety reasons.
So, to summarize: unopened jar – pantry shelf, opened jar or homemade sauce – refrigerator for optimal quality and safety.tunesharemore_vert