How long does tomato sauce last?
In the fridge, tomato sauce keeps for 3 to 5 days after opening. In the pantry, it keeps until the date on the package. Once opened, use it within 3 to 5 days. All 2 kinds are below.
Use by the package date
3 to 5 days
after opening
3 to 5 days
in the fridge unless noted
By kind
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| spaghetti, pizza | Use by the package date | no guideline | 3 to 5 days | no guideline |
| homemade, canned | 9 to 12 months | no guideline | no guideline | no guideline |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
Does tomato sauce go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, tomato sauce may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
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.
How long do other condiments, sauces & canned goods last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.