While it is most popularly connected to Mexican cuisine, salsa is a condiment that is loved by many and can be used in a plethora of different situations. It is essentially a chunky sauce with lots of flavors and can sometimes be spicy.
While its most common use is in tacos and burritos, it can be a perfect choice to pair with tortilla chips for a quick and delicious snack. With how often it is used, you might be wondering how long salsa’s shelf life is. How long does salsa last in the fridge, freezer, or room temperature?
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Storing Salsa
Salsa can easily be stored even if it is homemade or store-bought.
It is a lot easier to store salsa you have purchased, as it will come in a resealable jar that is perfect for maintaining its freshness.
The shelf life of salsa can vary quite a bit depending on the ingredients used. If the salsa is very acidic with vinegar, roast chilies, and garlic added, it can last a lot longer than salsa without these ingredients.
The storage times ahead will be based on a standard salsa recipe with no preservatives added.
Room Temperature
Storing salsa at room temperature is common while it is left unopened and the airtight seal is intact.
You can place a jar of salsa in the cupboard away from direct sunlight and any heat sources. It will last for as long as it is suggested by the expiry date. Even after this date has passed, the salsa may remain good to eat for a few more weeks.
Once the seal is broken and it is no longer airtight, you will want to transfer the salsa to the fridge. Leaving the salsa at room temperature will create the optimal conditions for bacteria to breed, which gives you approximately 2 hours before the bacterial growth is considered unsafe to eat.
This is not an issue before the seal is broken as no bacteria can get into the salsa. But once it is opened and bacteria can get in. Even closing it again will not prevent the bacteria from growing. It has to go in the fridge.
Refrigerated
Whether your salsa is opened or not, it will still last a lot longer in the fridge. It is best that the salsa is stored in an airtight container as this will prevent any new bacteria or mold spores from getting to it.
It can be taken out of the fridge and eaten but should be returned to the fridge once you are done with it for the time being.
How Long does Refrigerated Salsa Last in the Fridge?
When refrigerated after being initially opened, your salsa will last up to 2 months before it starts to go bad.
Once this happens, it should be discarded as it is no longer safe to eat.
Does Salsa go Bad in the fridge?
Salsa does eventually go bad in the fridge. Placing it in the refrigerator after it has been initially opened does not entirely stop the growth of bacteria, it just slows it down.
Room temperature is the perfect condition for the rapid breeding of bacteria and placing it in the fridge will slow this down a lot, hence the extended shelf life. However, it is not an extreme enough cold for the bacteria to be killed, so they are still breeding just at an incredibly reduced rate.
Frozen
Salsa can be frozen although whether you want to freeze it or not is a different question. The flavor of salsa is drastically worse after it is frozen and the texture is even more so of a degraded quality.
Salsa can be frozen and kept for up to 3 months until it is no longer deemed safe to eat. After these three months, it will be recommended that you discard the salsa and not eat it.
Frozen salsa is no longer going to be good for dipping chips in, even after it has been thawed. The best use for it now is as a flavoring ingredient in a recipe where the texture of the salsa is not needed.
How long does Homemade Salsa last in the Freezer?
As long as the salsa is placed in an airtight container and stored in the right conditions, it can be frozen and will last for up to 3 months.
The salsa might be good to eat after this time has passed. Yet it is no longer recommended that you eat it.
How to Know When Salsa has Gone Bad
The best way to know if your salsa has gone bad or not is by smelling it. When bacteria grow to a point that is no longer safe to eat, it also tends to be at a point where a pungent and rancid smell is produced. Should your salsa no longer smell fresh and is instead smelling disgusting and sour, you will know it is bad.
Another way to tell is by looking at the salsa. Due to the high moisture content in salsa, you will be able to spot any mold formations a lot easier. If you see any mold at all, you must discard the whole thing. You cannot just remove the mold and eat the rest.
FAQs on Salsa
How long does salsa last after opening?
If kept properly refrigerated and stored in an airtight container, salsa can last up to two months before it will start to go bad. If there are any added preservatives in your salsa, this time may be extended.
How long does Tostitos salsa last after opening?
Tostitos salsa will remain safe to eat for up to 2 months after being opened. This is only if it is stored in optimal conditions such as being refrigerated and in an airtight container.
How long does homemade salsa last with vinegar?
When vinegar is added to salsa, the PH levels of the salsa are changed. This might make the salsa too acidic for bacteria to breed as quickly as they normally would. This extends the shelf life of your salsa and allows it to last longer. When this is refrigerated and stored in an airtight container, it will be good for up to three months.
How long does Pace salsa last after opening?
Pace salsa will last up until the expiry date labeled on the lid unless it is opened. Once opened, you should refrigerate it before it has sat at room temperature for 2 hours. In the fridge, it will last for up to 2 months. It is important to note that the Pace salsa lid is resealable and can be screwed back onto the bottle, which helps it last longer than it would without the lid.
Is salsa good after 2 weeks?
Salsa, if kept in the fridge and in an airtight container, will last for up to two months. At room temperature, salsa will last for around 2 hours until it is unsafe to eat due to the number of bacteria that have bred on it.
Can old salsa make you sick?
Old salsa can make you sick if you eat it. Salsa going bad is mostly due to a build-up of bacteria and when it is bad, the bacteria is at an unsafe level for consumption. This can make you sick although the degree of your sickness varies depending on how old the salsa is. You may have an upset stomach or you could potentially have food poisoning.
