You are probably wondering if hot sauce can go bad and if it does go bad, how can you tell. This article will help you find the answer to this question.
Most store-bought hot sauces out there on the market today have a long shelf life and contain other types of food preservatives to help them stay fresh longer. However, the best practice is to check the best before date before consuming.
So, does hot sauce go bad?
This is a yes and no anwser, hot sauce does not go bad easily or quickly, and it lasts for a very long time. I have had sauces in my pantry for more than a year or longer and they are still excellent quality when I use them.
However, if you suspect your bottle of hot sauce is not right, just look at the color. if it is separated or anything else unusual, then maybe it has gone bad.
There are some sauces that have more ingredients than just hot peppers and vinegar so they might have some preservatives added to help them last longer on the shelf.
You should always check the expiration date of any food product before you use it. It is important to also check the storage advice printed on the bottle before using any hot sauce after its expiration date.
Related post: does evaporated milk go bad and how long can defrosted chicken stay in the fridge.
How long does hot sauce last?
Generally speaking, hot sauce will have a shelf life of up to 2 years but that depends on how it was stored. for example, if the bottle of your condiment is kept in a very warm place, it will likely go bad faster.
If it is exposed to direct sunlight, the flavor and color of the sauce might be affected.
Even though hot sauce does not go bad easily, I still recommend you check the expiration date printed on the bottle before using any sauce.
If a bottled sauce is past its expiration date or storage advice has been ignored, then it might have lost some of its flavor and color which will affect your dishes.
How to tell if hot sauce is bad
There are 3 ways to do this
Sight: the first thing you should do is to take a look at the sauce. if it has separated or anything else unusual, then it has gone bad and you should not use it.
Smell: after inspecting your bottle of hot sauce from a distance, move closer to it and take a good whiff of the sauce. no one likes a smelly dish so if your sauce smells bad, it has gone bad. it is time to throw it away
Taste: after inspecting your bottle of hot sauce from a distance and taking a good whiff of the sauce, taste it. if it tastes off or anything else unusual then you should not use this sauce for cooking or eating.
How to tell if hot sauce is safe to eat
- If you have inspected your bottle of hot sauce from a distance and taken a good whiff of the sauce but you find nothing wrong with it, then it might be safe to eat.
- Say are you still in doubt whether or not this sauce is safe for consumption, just take a look at the ingredients listed on the label and see if there are other types of food preservatives in addition to vinegar and salt. If there isn't, then the expiration date printed on the bottle would give you an idea if it is still safe to eat or not. Do not use the sauce after it has expired
Popular hot sauce brand
Cholula: I love this brand of hot sauce and you can find it in most grocery stores.
Tabasco: this is another great brand that has been around for more than 100 years. The quality of the sauce speak for itself.
Frank's hot sauce: this is the original Louisiana hot sauce that has been used for generations by people all over the world to make delicious dishes.
Louisiana hot sauce: this particular brand of hot sauce is very easy to find in grocery stores and it is also affordable.
Tabasco green jalapeno pepper sauce: I like the flavor of this particular product because it is not too spicy but strong enough to add that extra flavor to any dish.
Sriracha: this brand of hot sauce is very popular in homes and restaurants. I am sure you probably have one in your fridge or pantry now.
Tapatio: this is another popular brand of hot sauce that has been around for a while and is still going strong today.
Dirty Dick's Hot Sauce
Tabasco green pepper hot sauce
How to keep your hot condiment fresh for longer
Here are some precautions you should take to make sure the sauce you have will stay fresh as long as possible.
Do not dip food directly into the sauce if you plan to use it more than once.
Store hot sauces in a cool, dark place: try not to expose your bottles of hot sauce to direct sunlight because it might affect their flavor and color. store them somewhere with good air circulation too, like on a pantry shelf or cupboard that doesn't get too warm.
Store it in the fridge
yes, you read right! this is not a popular opinion but your hot sauce have better chances of staying fresh in the fridge than if you left it out on the counter or in the pantry. Most hot sauce brands also advise this on their labels.
Keep the cap clean and on at all times
After each use, make sure to clean the top of your condiment with water or a wet paper towel. This will prevent mold from forming on top of the sauce and it will also give you that peace of mind knowing that your condiment is clean and safe to use.
Can bacteria grow in hot sauce?
Yes, this is a fact. but don't worry about it too much because not all types of bacteria are harmful to your health.
The only bacteria that might harm you are those found in foods with no preservatives added. these types of bad bacteria multiply rapidly when they come in contact with moisture and warmth which is why you should always store
Do you want to try your hands at making hot sauces on your own then you sou should check out this recipes from Wholefully yum and Chili pepper Madness.
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped answer your question "does hot sauce go bad?" please rate and share my article if you found it useful. thank you for reading!
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