DecodedGuides

How to store hot sauce

Best place: the pantry. Hot sauce is shelf stable and keeps for 6 months in a cool, dry cupboard.

Pantry

6 months

from purchase

Will stay fresher longer if refrigerated.

Fridge

No guideline

Freezer

No guideline

USDA notes for hot sauce

  • Will stay fresher longer if refrigerated.

How to tell hot sauce has gone bad

General signs for condiments, sauces & canned goods, the group USDA lists hot sauce under.

  • Dented, bulging or rusted cans, especially at the seams
  • Hissing sound or spray when a can or jar is opened
  • Mould on the surface of a sauce or condiment
  • Separation, discoloration or a sharp off smell from the jar
  • Metallic taste or cloudy liquid in canned food

More on condiments, sauces & canned goods. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.

Storage habits that make the difference

Refrigerate opened condiments and sauces with their lids on tightly, and use a clean spoon each time to avoid contamination. Store unopened cans in a cool, dry cupboard, and once opened, transfer leftover canned food to a covered container in the fridge rather than storing it in the can.

How to store other condiments, sauces & canned goods

Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.