Tabasco is the best-selling pepper sauce in the world, is known for having a spicy bite. But how long does Tabasco last? Your ability to enjoy it depends on many things, including the spice concentration, storing practices, how it’s packaged, the container material, and temperatures at which the sauce is stored.
The shelf life of tabasco sauce is around 3 – 4 years even if it’s opened or used, but the taste and quality should be much better for at least 5 years, provided all has been done to assure product freshness. Tabasco may be refrigerated for longer storage.
Tabasco sauce should be stored at no more than 80° F. Exposure to higher temperatures will cause the red color from the capsicum oleoresin to bleed from the bottle into the white vinegar. If this happens, mold may develop inside the bottle.
What is tabasco sauce?
Tabasco Sauce is bright red, finely textured pepper sauce made from tabasco peppers; it is a spicy hot pepper sauce made from tabasco peppers and vinegar and aged in white oak barrels in Avery Island, Louisiana.
This fiery pepper sauce is still the one that’s taken seriously by serious food lovers. You can add a dash to tacos, chili, soups, and stews. Or stir into pot roasts and grilled meats for a tangy finish. This spicy multi-purpose condiment adds an exciting kick to all of your favorite foods with a distinct flavor and a little bit of a bite; there’s a lot to love about our signature hot sauce.
How to store Tabasco sauce
Properly storing Tabasco sauce is an easy process that can keep your sauce fresher, longer.
Tabasco sauce Jars should be stored in a cool, dark place. Lack of light will preserve the full flavor of Tabasco. Putting the cap back on when not in use is excellent storage practice, especially when you live in climes where weather conditions are quite hot and humid.
It should be stored in the pantry at room temperature. The best place to store Tabasco is on a shelf or cupboard or in the refrigerator. The refrigerator storing Tabasco sauce in the refrigerator is another way to keep this staple condiment fresh and flavorful.
It is advised that you do not store your unopened bottles of Tabasco sauce in extreme temperatures or in areas subject to extreme temperature changes. Tabasco sauce is made from select aged red peppers, which give it a unique flavor and spiciness.
How Long Does Tabasco Last
The Tabasco bottle has a use-by date of 5 years after it’s been opened. It will stay in the refrigerator for up to 3 years after it is opened if maintained at 40º F or less in the original container. The shelf life of individual Tabasco Sauce packs is six months after the package is opened. If you are using 12 / 6-oz. or smaller bottles, make sure they are stored upright in your pantry/refrigerator to allow for proper airflow, and use by dates are up to 2 years after opening.
The shelf life of Tabasco depends very much on storage conditions. There are three different types of Tabasco, each with a different recommended storage temperature, which can range from room temperature up to 72°F.
How to store Tabasco sauce after opening
After opening, always store Tabasco sauce in a cool place. Should you not use all of the sauce within three months, pour the remaining sauce into smaller containers for storage to prevent it from drying out.
Always store opened Tabasco sauce in a non-reactive container such as Stainless Steel, Glass, or ceramic. To prevent the growth of bacteria and the associated bad taste, do not put it back in the original plastic container. Should you not use all of the sauce within three months, pour the remaining sauce into smaller containers for storage to prevent it from drying out.
After opening, store your Tabasco Sauce in the refrigerator away from strong-flavored foods. Like any vinegar-based product, It will oxidize and lose some flavor over time. The best way to slow down these natural changes is to place the sauce in a smaller container, seal it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep for several years. While you are out, grab a few extra bottles of Tabasco Sauce for future gifts or special occasions!
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Frequently Asked Question
How long does Tabasco sauce last in the fridge?
The self-life of a tabasco sauce in a fridge lasts 6-9 months unopened. Opened will last indefinitely in the refrigerator, but the flavor and heat will lessen with time.
Does hot sauce actually go bad?
All ingredients in the hot sauce will eventually spoil. Like all foods, when properly stored, the shelf life is greatly extended. Preservatives are added to hot sauce to keep it from going bad, but most sauces have enough preservatives to last several years.
Does Tabasco ever go bad?
No. Tabasco is processed from green jalapeno peppers and aged for three years in white oak barrels. Once bottled, the aging process continues. Tabasco is a puree that contains no preservatives, additives, or artificial ingredients. The vinegar in Tabasco is naturally acidic and helps preserve the product.
How many Scoville is Tabasco sauce?
The typical tabasco sauce comes from tabascos chiles; it is a capsicum pepper, which is a member of the nightshade family. What does that have to do with Scoville heat units? A tabascos pepper will have a Scoville Heat Unit of 1,000 to 8,000.
How long is Tabasco good after best by date?
Best by dates indicate peak quality. After the best by date, enjoy your Tabasco sauce for cooking or mixing into dressings and sauces. Since it is abundant in vinegar, it is most likely safe to eat anything containing it after this date.
Conclusion
How long does Tabasco last? While the specific answer to that question will depend on a number of factors, it is generally safe to store Tabasco at room temperature in its unopened pepper sauce bottle for two years. After opening the bottle, it is best to use Tabasco within 12 months.
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