How Long Does Tomato Sauce Last In The Fridge (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 5 To 7 Days

Tomato sauce lasts for 5 to 7 days in the fridge. One can also freeze it and let it thaw to use later. Also, the answer to this question depends on the type of tomatoes, whether or not it is canned and preserved, and if it is pureed. 

Pureeing a tomato sauce extends its shelf life by decreasing the amount of air that can contact it and makes for a smoother texture. Unfortunately, many people like their sauces chunky, so they choose not to puree them, which reduces the options even more.

8 5 2 - Tomato sauce lasts for 5 to 7 days in the fridge. One can also freeze it and let it thaw to use later. Also, the answer to this question depends on the type of tomatoes, whether or not it is canned and preserved, and if it is pureed. 

How Long Does Tomato Sauce Last In The Fridge?

TypeDuration 
Raw tomatoes5 to 7 days
Tomato sauce5 to 7 days
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Tomatoes are one of the world’s most popular and prolific vegetables. Their prevalence in the worldwide diet leads to countless cooks and home chefs experimenting with raw and cooked recipes for this naturally sweet fruit.

Among these dishes is tomato sauce, a creamy mixture of tomatoes cooked down for extended periods to release the juice and sugar found within these large, red fruits.

It lasts for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. Contrary to common beliefs, though, freshness is not the only factor determining how long tomato sauce will stay in the fridge.

The more cooking time that goes into a dish, such as the homemade tomato sauce recipe, yields less chance that said the formula would spoil after being left overnight in the fridge. 

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Some sources say that it lasts about two weeks, but other sources say that one should use up the sauce within a couple of days, depending on the type of brand or whether it is homemade. 

The natural acidity in tomatoes could react with any added sugars and cause spoilage. This is why one option to maintain the life of tomato sauce is to puree ripe tomatoes with just salt or herbs, then freeze them into jars or other containers for later use.

The key to making tomato sauce last in the fridge for a long time is low pH, high sugar content, and acidity from beneficial bacteria such as lactobacillus or citric acid from vinegar or lemon juice.

Why Would Tomato Sauce Last In The Fridge For So Long?

Tomato Sauce has a lot of natural acidities, which makes them so great for pairing with dishes like mozzarella, pizza, and pasta. In addition, tomato sauce can last in the fridge for so long because it is mostly just tomatoes, salt, and spices. 

There’s not much else that would go bad. Just make sure to use non-reactive containers with plenty of headroom, and of course, the container must be airtight. 

Tomato sauce is canned unheated or at low temperatures- this type of processing slows the release of the active bacteria in the tomatoes that produce lactic acid. In addition, lactic acid lowers pH, so having less lactic acid reduces spoilage rates.

Generally 5-7 days unopened or 3-5 days after opening. If one wants to know about freezing tomato sauce – frozen methods would cause excessive ice crystals (an indicator that compromises food quality).

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Foods that spoil when left out at normal temperature are used to help preserve these shelf-stable sauces. When it comes to taste, like many aromatics, tomatoes are made up mostly of water. Tomatoes are similar to other products in this aspect, but they have a lower sugar content than most fruits.

Tomato sauce is one of the easiest homemade sauces one can create with only five ingredients!

All the ingredients are common pantry staples that might already be in their fridge or pantry. This sauce is savory and tangy, just like any good marinara should be. Simmer it for an hour on medium heat so that the flavors meld together nicely before straining off.

Conclusion

The chances are that the tomato sauce one is talking about is made with a combination of tomatoes and either processed or red wine. If processed, these products will make the tomato flavor much stronger and provide a sour taste (think canned tomato soup). Since it only lasts in the fridge for 5-7 days, make sure to use it quickly.

Therefore, processed food can taste “good” as it has met some people’s expectations for so long. There’s nothing wrong with trying new things to spice things up. To get the extra flavor, make sure to add extra virgin oil and garlic along with salt and pepper.

References

  1. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/lycopene-from-heatinduced-cisisomerrich-tomato-sauce-is-more-bioavailable-than-from-alltransrich-tomato-sauce-in-human-subjects/664293DE2AF3B075E56BE1BFB003D603 
  2. https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/93/24/1872/2912247?login=true 
Nidhi
Nidhi

Hi! I'm Nidhi.
Here at the EHL, it's all about delicious, easy recipes for casual entertaining. So come and join me at the beach, relax and enjoy the food.

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