Salsa is a traditional sauce from Mexican cuisine. This piquant, recognizable sauce is made from chopped tomatoes blended with chili pepper, onions, garlic, coriander, black pepper among other spices. It's either served as a dip or a dressing.
Just like other foods, Salsa also has a shelf life. It has become so popular that people wonder about its expiry date and how to store it. This article will educate you more on that.
How long is homemade Salsa suitable for?
Homemade Salsa is made from fresh recipes that lack preservatives. For this reason, its shelf-life is fast. Fresh recipes are assumed to make foods that will be eaten in one sitting. However, if stored in a cool, dry place with low humidity, the shelf life will be three days. In case it's well covered and put in a fridge, the shelf life will range between four to six days. However, if it goes beyond three days, its quality might suffer
How long is store-bought refrigerated Salsa good for?
Both opened, and unopened salsa sauce has varying terms of validity. This type of Salsa has a lot of preservatives that prolong its shelf-life. Therefore, after buying it, it's advisable to continue storing it in the fridge when you get home. The open Salsa; will stay spicy and tasty for three to four weeks. Afterward, it loses flavor and might end up unsafe to eat. If the Salsa is unopened, it can last for a maximum of five days past its expiry date.
How long is store-shelf commercially-jarred Salsa good for?
If this Salsa is left unopened, one can expect the Salsa to remain safe to eat for at least six months past the sell-by date. If opened, salsa can only last for five days in the pantry. But if stored in the fridge, it only lasts for two weeks.
How to tell if Salsa is good for?
The only symbolic way to tell if Salsa is safe for consumption is by deploying your senses. In any case, if the color, smell, texture the Salsa turns different from the initial state, it means that the sauce is in its spoilage process.
- Look
Salsa has a bright red color. If the product appears discolored, it's a bad sign. The sauce turns into the dark maroon shade, and its texture is thicker. The sauce has been around for a long time. To some extent, you'll find the ingredients detached. Finally, the signs of mold formation will force you to toss the whole sauce.
- Smell
If the tomato-flavored Salsa starts to have a slightly spicy foul smell, discard it. It's unsafe to eat.
- Taste
The bunch of spices used to make Salsa turns the taste sour. It becomes hugely acidic and tangy, thus making it unsafe for consumption.
How to prolong the shelf life of Salsa?
The different types of Salsa mentioned above are stored differently. Here is how:
1. Refrigerator
- Store-bought Salsa, unrefrigerated
An openly bought salsa that is not refrigerated should be transferred into an airtight plastic container not to dry out and stored in the fridge to increase its shelf-life, it can sit there for weeks. However, an unopened bought salsa is directly put in the refrigerator without any additional package. It can last for close to six months.
Once you open the container, you should store it sealed tightly in the fridge. If the dip comes in a can, please transfer the leftovers into an airtight container so they won't dry out.
- Commercially bottled Salsa, sold in the refrigerated
For this type of Salsa bought from the fridge section, the storage tips are more straightforward. Keep in the fridge all the time. It will always be required to stay in very low temp throughout.
- Homemade Salsa.
Homemade Salsa also requires to be stored in the refrigerator for weeks if well covered tightly.
2. Other ways of storage
- Canning
Typically, salsa sauce is canned adequately in a boiling water bath canner.
- Dehydration
Dehydrate your sauce at 135 degrees for around 8-10 hours. The Salsa should be dry and rubbery. Please keep it in a cool, dry place with low humidity.
- Pickling
Fermenting the sauce increases its shelf-life. After a week, put your Salsa in the refrigerator, to continue to mature.
Can Salsa be frozen?
Salsa can be frozen. Open Salsa bought from the store can be adequately stored for about two months. It should be placed in a heavy-duty freezer bag to remain tasty and safe to eat. For unopened Salsa, if stored in a freezer, its shelf-life is further extended to six months beyond its expiry date. Frozen fresh will sit in the freezer and maintain its quality for a month.
Why do hot sauces spoil slower than Salsa?
Hot sauces have vinegar and chili peppers and vinegar. These are the main preserving agents for the hot sauce. Vinegar has high acidity levels, and the chili pepper is made of capsaicin that both ensures bacteria are at bay thus a slower spoiling process than Salsa.
Can old Salsa make you sick?
It is okay to use old Salsa. However, this depends on your personal health life. Salsa is good even after its expiration date. It's always good to practice food safety. Still enjoy your Salsa before its shelf-life.
Note: In case you are doubtful about your salsa sauce, play safe, and throw it away.
Conclusion
Salsa has perishable ingredients, thus prone to spoiling. Therefore, properly store your Salsa as soon as possible for long life and great results. Enjoy Salsa before the ‘eat by date' suggested by manufacturers.
