Everyone loves salsa, and you can find it in many forms and varieties. Traditional salsa, spicy salsa, mango or peach salsa, pico de gallo, black bean salsa, you name it. When it comes to chips and dip, who can resist the fresh and zesty flavors salsa has to offer!
However, one major question many people have is: Does salsa go bad? In short, yes, salsa will go bad after a while because it is made from perishable ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and other fruits and veggies that don’t have a long shelf life.
While everyone has differing opinions on the best store-bought salsa, it is important to note that even store-bought salsa will go bad after being opened. So, how long is salsa good after opening? This depends, in part, on the salsa.
Do you have to refrigerate salsa?
Store-bought salsa with preservatives might last longer than fresh, homemade salsa (and some jar salsas are even sold unrefrigerated when they are sealed), but keep in mind that all salsa needs to be refrigerated after opening to keep it fresh.
How long does salsa last in the fridge? Read on to get the answer to this question and any other questions you might have about salsa!
How Long Does Salsa Last in the Fridge?
How long can salsa stay in the fridge? Depends on the type of salsa. If it is store-bought salsa that is full of preservatives and sold unrefrigerated to start, it will last the longest. Once opened, you must still keep it in the fridge, but it will last two weeks, sometimes even three.
Store-bought refrigerated salsa, which is much fresher, needs to be eaten five to seven days after opening.
Note that the label will probably tell you how long it is safe to consume after opening. Also, note that this salsa must stay in the fridge even before it is open.
How long is homemade salsa good for? With fresh, homemade salsa, it is best to consume it the day it is made, but if you end up with some leftovers, depending on the specific ingredients you have used, it should last in the fridge for up to five days. But we recommend eating it as quickly as possible.
How to Tell if Salsa Is Bad?
As we have established, the answer to “Does salsa need to be refrigerated?” is yes. But how can you tell if your refrigerated salsa is still good or not?
The most common signs your salsa has gone bad are mold in the container or in the salsa, bad smells, off colors, or any sour or irregular tastes. If anything seems off about your salsa, discard it immediately.
Unlike other condiments, salsa is more prone to go bad quickly due to its perishable ingredients, so when it comes to salsa, if you are not sure how long it has been open or if it is safe to eat, it is best to just not eat it at all and throw it away.
How Long Will Homemade Salsa Last Before Going Bad?
How long does homemade salsa last? As mentioned above, homemade salsa should ideally be eaten the day it is made due to the freshness of the ingredients. However, how long does fresh salsa last depends on how you store it if you cannot consume it all day.
If you do not refrigerate your homemade salsa, it will go bad within a few hours, but refrigerating it will enable you to store it safely and eat it at a later date.
How long does homemade salsa last in the fridge? If refrigerated properly, homemade salsa will stay good for up to five days and remain safe to eat during that time.
How Long Will Store-Bought, Refrigerated Salsas Last?
Similarly to homemade salsa, how long will fresh salsa last in the fridge when it is store-bought depends on how you store it and the ingredients.
As a general rule of thumb, as long as you keep it in the fridge, fresh store-bought salsa will stay good in the fridge for five to seven days.
This is because it has fewer preservatives than unrefrigerated store-bought salsa, so it will go bad quicker.
Why Do Hot Sauces Last Longer?
The main two ingredients in hot sauces are chili peppers and vinegar, which are both natural preserving agents.
While these ingredients are also found in many salsas, they are in hot sauces in much larger quantities. (For example, vinegar is in hot sauce in cups rather than teaspoons.)
Because of this, hot sauces last and stay good for a matter of months rather than weeks.
With this in mind, how long does homemade salsa last with vinegar? Vinegar is a preserving agent, as mentioned above, but because it is in such a small quantity in salsa, it does not extend the shelf life of homemade salsa, and it should still be refrigerated and eaten within five days.
How Do You Safely Store Salsa?
How best to safely store salsa depends on the type of salsa.
Store-bought, unrefrigerated salsa that has not been opened will usually last in a cool, dry pantry for several months past its best-by date. Once opened, it should be kept in the fridge and eaten ideally within two weeks (sometimes three).
Store-bought, refrigerated fresh salsa can be kept in the fridge unopened and stay good for up to five days past its use-by date. Once opened, it should be eaten within five to seven days and kept in the fridge the entire time.
Please note that if it is past its use-by date, it will likely not stay good the entire five days once opened, so use common sense and discard it if you notice any weird mold, colors, tastes, or smells.
Homemade salsa must be refrigerated at all times and should ideally be eaten the day it is made. However, it can be stored in an airtight container and stay good for up to five days.
You can freeze salsa if desired, but the texture can easily change, so keep that in mind. Additionally, always use good food hygiene with salsa.
Do not double-dip in the storage container, and if you are not using all of the salsa at one time, pour some into a bowl for dipping rather than sticking your chips into the jar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Tostitos Salsa Last After Opening?
Like other store-bought jar salsas that are not “fresh,” Tostitos salsa will last in the fridge for about two weeks after opening due to the preservatives.
As always, keep it refrigerated starting immediately after opening it, and if anything looks, tastes, or smells different about it, stop eating it and get a new jar of salsa.
Does Salsa Go Bad in the Fridge?
Because it is made from perishable ingredients, salsa will eventually go bad even if stored properly in the fridge.
Store-bought salsas will last a little longer depending on the salsa. Unrefrigerated jar salsas like Tostitos will stay good in the fridge for about two weeks after opening, while fresh, refrigerated store-bought salsas will last about five to seven days.
How long is homemade salsa good for in the fridge? Because of the fresher ingredients and lack of preservatives, homemade salsa needs to be eaten soon after being made. It can last up to five days if stored properly in the fridge.
Is Salsa Good After Two Weeks?
Store-bought salsas that contain preservatives (think Tostitos and other jar salsas that come unrefrigerated) can last for two weeks in the fridge and sometimes even three weeks.
So they might still be good after two weeks, but you will want to check them for any weird mold, smells, colors, or tastes.
Remember, when in doubt, just toss it out!
How long does fresh salsa last in the fridge? Fresh store-bought salsas that you find in the refrigerated section and homemade salsas that do not contain preservatives will not be good after two weeks.
These salsas need to be eaten within about five days after being opened or made.
In short, regardless of what kind of salsa you choose to use, all salsas must be stored in the fridge after opening. If you do not go through salsa quickly, a store-bought, unrefrigerated salsa like Tostitos might be the way to go.
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How Long Does Salsa Stay Good in the Fridge?
If you want to try your hand at making your own homemade salsa after getting inspired by this article, check out this easy and delicious recipe!
Ingredients
- 6 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- 1/2 c onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, minced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients together and mix until well integrated. Store in the fridge in an airtight container until ready to serve. Eat within five days. Enjoy!
When it comes to how long is fresh salsa good for, you will want to eat it in about five days whether you make it or buy it, so if you opt for fresh salsa, keep that time frame in mind.
We hope this article was helpful! Get out there and try some new salsas today!