How Long Does Pizza Sauce Last in the Fridge? Solved (2023)

Last Updated on January 26, 2023 by Shari Mason

Pizza sauce gives your pizza its flavor, but there are some things you need to know about storing and using this ingredient before you start cooking.

So how long does pizza sauce last in the fridge? Let’s discuss a few ways to store our favorite sauce.

How Long Can Pizza Sauce Last in the Fridge?

Pizza sauce last in the fridge for about 5 to 7 days–if properly stored.

It is recommended to keep it refrigerated when not in use because the longer pizza sauce sits, the more likely it is to go bad.

The best way to keep the sauce is in an airtight container. If you’re storing it in a jar, ensure the lid is on tight and the temperature is below the danger zone (40° F). [1]

Factors To Consider

Homemade

Homemade tomato sauce for pizza and spaghetti sauce has a shorter life span of up to 5 days because it does not contain any preservatives to prolong its shelf life. [2]

Store Bought

Store-bought pizza or pasta sauce can last up to two weeks in your fridge if stored properly. However, it will begin to taste bad once that time has passed and should be thrown out immediately.

Leftover

Leftover sauce can last in the fridge for up to three days as long as it is stored in a closed container and the coolest corner of the refrigerator.

Properly Stored

Pizza sauce can last up to 7 days in the fridge when properly stored. If you want to keep your sauce fresh and ready to use, put it in a sealed container or glass jar.

This will help prevent moisture from evaporating quickly, keeping its color bright and clear for longer periods. [3].

Temperature

How long pizza sauce lasts depends on the temperature. Yeast and bacteria flourish slowly in cold temperatures. [4]

The cool temperatures inside the fridge preserve pizza sauce. If planning to eat it sooner, keep it at room temperature until usage. Avoid storing food near ovens or direct sunlight.

They may spoil faster and taste worse afterward.

How to Properly Store Pizza Sauce in the Fridge

To properly store pizza sauce in the fridge, put it in an airtight sauce container or mason jar lid. Make sure the cap seals tightly so that no moisture can get inside.

This is because moisture can spoil its flavor over time (especially important if you’ve added any spices).

Keep your fridge at a low temperature (below 40° F) to keep the pasta sauce fresh for a long time.

How To Tell if It Has Gone Bad

Odor

If you take a smell test of a jarred pasta sauce and notice a foul and funny smell, your sauce needs to be disposed of to avoid food poisoning.

Texture

The pizza sauce is bad if it has clumps in it. If you’re unsure if your sauce is still good, don’t eat it and throw it away.

Taste

To tell if it has gone bad, take a taste test. If your sauce tastes sour, bitter, or unappealing in general, that’s another sign that it’s past its prime.

Appearance

If your sauce has visible mold filaments, it’s a clear sign that it has gone bad. It may have white mold or green and black fuzzy mold inside it or on the lid.

Do not attempt the taste test if you notice the above signs.

Broken Seal

Inspect if the whole jar has broken seals, or if the can is swollen or dented. You can check the expiration date printed on the back too.

Also, if there’s bubbling foam when you open the lid, the sauce has spoiled and should be thrown away.

Can You Freeze Pizza Sauce?

You can freeze the sauce in small portions if it’s sealed properly in plastic freezer bags. Frozen pizza sauce can last up to 3 months in the freezer.

“Food is an important part of a balanced diet.”

– Fran Lebowitz, American Author

It is also not advised to freeze an open jar of tomato sauce for later use because it is impossible to determine how long each serving was exposed to oxygen before being sealed up again.

Tips & Tricks When Storing Pizza Sauce in the Fridge

• Store it in a sealed container and keep it cool in the farthest corner of the fridge to maintain its quality.
• If freezing, freeze them in small portions as large portions would make water when thawed.
• Homemade sauce with cheese and tomatoes has a shorter lifespan, so eat it immediately.
• Follow the storing guidelines of store-bought sauces from popular brands.
• Always close the jar tightly to prevent air contaminants.

FAQs

How do you extend the shelf life of pizza sauce?

To extend the shelf life of pizza sauce, put it in a sealed container or vacuum-sealed freezer bags and store it in the freezer. Freezing will make the sauce last longer, up to 3 months.

At what temperature does pizza sauce go bad?

Pizza sauce goes bad when left at room temperature or stored at over 40° F or the danger zone temperature storage of food.

What is the best way to keep pizza sauce fresh?

The best way to keep pizza sauce fresh is to keep it sealed in a jar or container and store it at a low temperature. The sauce will stay fresh for up to 7 days when stored properly.

How do you defrost pizza sauce?

To defrost pizza sauce, just let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Another way to defrost the sauce is by soaking the container in cold water for 20-30 minutes. Ensure the container is sealed to avoid water coming in.

Final Thoughts

In general, pizza sauce can last in the fridge for up to 7 days and up to 3 months in the freezer. Its life span depends on many factors, such as the cooking process and temperature.

Tomato-based sauce lifespan is shorter because it does not contain preservatives. The sauce should also be stored in an airtight or sealed container to prevent air contaminants.

As for storage, pizza or spaghetti sauce spoils easily in higher temperatures. It is recommended to be stored in a cool place below 40° F.

References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/temperature-danger-zone
2. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/preservatives-keeping-our-foods-safe-fresh
3. https://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/fns/Nutritional/Food%20Bytes/2013-05
4. https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Health-and-Safety/Food-Safety-FAQ/What-conditions-encourage-bacteria-to-grow

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