How Long Can Salsa Stay In The Fridge?
In simple terms, salsa has quite a decent shelf life of about four to six days when stored in the fridge. However, it should be kept in mind that this is recommended for homemade salsa only, and is only possible if its covered and stored properly in the refrigerator.
If you are wondering how long salsa will last, generally it will be around 2-3 weeks when kept in a refrigerator, not opened jars. It does not really have a long shelf-life, but salsa should last for 8-10 days in a refrigerator, or up to 4 months in a freezer. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of ways you can keep salsa unrefrigerated since it just needs to stay in the fridge all the time.
Salsa sold refrigerated will last for approximately 5-7 days once opened, when stored in a sealed container that is kept at or below 40 degrees F. In the case of unsold refrigerated salsa, it will last about 7 days, and sometimes longer, if kept refrigerated at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Salsa usually will last beyond the expiration date when unopened and kept cool. If you purchase this way, and leave it unopened, the salsa will stay good about 6 months beyond its best-by date if kept in the pantry.
| Storage | Temperature | Shelf Life |
| Pantry | 60-68°F | 1-2 months |
| In the refrigerator | 32-34°F | 2-3 weeks (once opened) |
| Freezer | 0°F | 4 months |
Manufacturers typically pasteurize non-refrigerated varieties, so if left unopened, a non-opened bottle of salsa may be able to keep several months past the best by date. Store-bought, unrefrigerated salsa that has not been opened typically will keep for a few months past the best-by date on store-bought. Store-bought, refrigerated, fresh salsa can stay fresh for five days after the use-by date when left in the refrigerator without being opened. Compared with homemade salsa, the amount of time that store-bought fresh salsa will stay good in the refrigerator depends on how it is stored and its ingredients.
If you want to learn about How Long Does Opened Salsa Last, then check out this article.
When it comes to how long is fresh salsa good, you want to consume it within five days, whether you are making it or buying it, so keep this timeframe in mind if you choose to go with fresh salsa. As you probably have guessed at this point, fresh salsa needs to be refrigerated, because otherwise, it goes bad really quickly, even after only two hours. The contents of the salsa just makes it necessary to refrigerate, otherwise, your salsa can go bad as quickly as just two hours later. Because of this, you will also want to refrigerate canned salsa, as long as you do not plan to eat it all in the span of two hours.
When you purchase a salsa can at the store, which does not require refrigeration, you are free to store it in your pantry. Store-bought salsas that have preservatives may last longer than fresh, homemade salsas (and some jarred salsas are even sold without refrigeration once sealed), but remember that all salsas must be refrigerated once opened to keep them fresh.
You can also check out my another article on salsa where things are explained in more detail. How Long Does Salsa Last In The Fridge?
The best way to preserve homemade salsa is by canning it in our fridge, where we kept it for days. To keep salsa for a longer time, store the leftovers in the can, or an airtight container, in either the fridge or the freezer. In case the salsa is opened, transfer leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge.
Once you have opened a non-refrigerated canned salsa, you are encouraged to properly store leftovers in a refrigerator. You will need to thaw your salsa before using it again, so keeping your salsa in the refrigerator rather than in the freezer is recommended. Once you have opened your salsa, you should store it refrigerated in an airtight glass can or covered plastic container.
If homemade salsa is covered and refrigerated as well, it may keep longer, between four to six days, depending on the ingredients used and the precautions taken during preparation. Now, you know about shelf-life of salsa, be it homemade, refrigerated, or canned from the store. Salsa may go past its best-by date even when opened from a refrigerator, but that will depend on how long it has been stored in a refrigerator or outside. Store-bought frozen salsa usually has a “use by” date which gives an approximate estimation of how long salsa will stay fresh in a refrigerator; if it is not opened, though, it may still be able to last for around another five days beyond this date.
If you are bigger on eyes than appetite, or want to save some time prepping your salsa ahead, keep in mind that it typically stays fresh about four to five days (up to one week) when you store it correctly. We should note as a general rule that most salsa recipes include some amount of perishables, so while salsa may have preservatives in it to extend shelf life, the salsa does not last nearly as long as other condiments once it is opened.
Like other jarred store-bought salsas that are notfresh, the Tostitos salsa will keep for about two weeks in the refrigerator once opened because of its preservatives. Fresh store-bought salsas you find in the refrigerator aisle, as well as homemade salsas that are preservative-free, do not taste as good two weeks later. Unrefrigerated jarred salsas, such as Tostitos, will keep well in the refrigerator about two weeks after you open them, whereas refrigerated, fresh store-bought salsas last for five to seven days.
Jars of salsa stored in the refrigerator should be eaten within eight to 10 days, but that depends on how long they are stored in the pantry, or whether they are opened. If the salsa can is left unopened, you can expect that salsa will be safe to eat for at least 6 months after its sold-by date.
You can freeze the fresh salsa to prolong its shelf life, but we would recommend doing so only if you are planning on using the salsa as a blending component in a future recipe, such as a soup, rather than a standalone sauce. If salsa is just an ingredient in the sauce of a cooked dish, freezing is worth the effort. Well, because not even an unopened salsa turns sour even quickly, according to USDA data, not after two hours at room temperature.
How can you tell if salsa is spoiled?
It is very important to know the signs of rotten salsa. These include any indications of mold or other organic development on the container’s exterior or interior, an offensive odor, or a sour taste. Discard the salsa if you find any of these.
How long does jarred salsa last in the fridge after opening?
Salsa that hasn’t been cooled after being opened will keep for about a month in the fridge, assuming regular cooling. After being opened, salsa can be frozen to further increase its shelf life. Put the salsa in sealed containers or wrapped freezer bags to freeze it.
Can you eat salsa past the best by date?
Keep in mind that the “best by” date on salsa is only the last day by which the producer will guarantee the quality of the product, not its expiration. Because of this distinction, even after the “best by” date has passed, you can still use it to complement your favourite meals or snacks.