How to store tomato sauce
Best place: the pantry. Tomato sauce keeps until the date on the package in a cool, dark, dry place, and USDA treats that as the main storage. The fridge time (3 to 5 days) is a fallback; the USDA note below explains why chilling is not the first choice.
Use by the package date
Refrigerating unopened jars will NOT lengthen shelf life.
3 to 5 days
after opening
No guideline
USDA notes for tomato sauce
- spaghetti, pizza: Refrigerating unopened jars will NOT lengthen shelf life.
How to tell tomato sauce has gone bad
General signs for condiments, sauces & canned goods, the group USDA lists tomato 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.