Its common to use hot sauce as a dipping sauce. Yellow, Dijon, or even whole-grain can be put away in the cabinet for up to two months. However, once you open the hot sauce, all the information above applies, so consider refrigerating after opening accordingly. She lives in San Francisco and loves teaching cooking classes. All Prices are in USD | Copyright 2023 Melindas Foods, LLC | All rights Reserved. Six months can go by a lot faster than you think, and a hot sauce explosion is really something you probably dont want to deal with. But here's the problem: Just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should. Refrigeration doesnt change the flavor of a hot sauce, it just keeps that flavor from degrading over time. Frank's Red Hot sauce does not have to be refrigerated, but, doing so will keep the product fresher for a longer period of time. But even if your homemade hot sauce has a vinegar base (which spoils more slowly), we highly recommend keeping it in the refrigerator. Technically, a hot sauce with a vinegar base is probably fine being stored in a cool, dark pantry for a year, if not longer. Then we add a little garlic and Red Habanero for a little dragon fire. Anything longer, well refrigeration actually just makes sense. Should hot sauce be refrigerated? Homemade sauces dont go through that level of testing, and unless you really know what youre doing, homemade hot sauces could be more susceptible to mold and other spoilage. Just like fish sauce, soy sauce is fermented and does not need to be refrigerated unless you are keeping it for more than one year. Thats why most brands such as Franks RedHot and TexasPete always remind you to keep the sauce refrigerated. Melinda's products do not need to be refrigerated unless explicitly stated otherwise in the bottle. But, typically, the bottle will say whether the hot sauce you own needs to be . So, a great rule of thumb is if you consume your hot sauce fairly quickly, within a couple months, there is no issue whatsoever with keeping it out of the fridge. No, you do not need to refrigerate bottles of commercial hot sauce that have not yet been opened. Always close the cap tightly after each use. Have you ever gotten hot sauce in your eye? Doesnt sound fun, does it? As long nothing suspicious is spotted, and youre happy with the taste, feel free to eat it. The shelf-life of an opened, unrefrigerated bottle of hot sauce is around six months. From 1980 until 1994, Marie's sauces were sold under the brand name Melinda's, named for her 400-acre farm in Belize Melinda Estate. Simply put, Tabasco sauce does not need to be refrigerated to keep it safe and usable - you can store it in the pantry or a cupboard for months on end without it going bad. Hot sauce will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks unrefrigerated and 6-8 weeks refrigerated. or "Should hot sauce be refrigerated?". Tickle Me Kaczynski: How the Inventor of the Ultimate Elmo Toy Became a Unabomber Suspect, The Unexpectedly Sweet Story Behind Those Viral Semi-Truck Pregnancy Photos. I can't help myself! Thats a big no-no. Due to a relatively high concentration of both vinegar and salt, most hot sauces are impressively shelf-stable. Again, the company states on their website: No, our products do not have to be refrigerated. And the truth is, most hot sauces don't require refrigeration for safety reasons, especially if you only have a bottle or two and go through it quickly. It recommends refrigerating two of them, Frank's RedHot Sweet Chili and Frank's RedHot Slammin' Sriracha Chili Sauce, after opening. For many people, the answer is a simple "Yes" or "No", but based on my experience, refrigerating hot sauce or not depends on a few different factors. . Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Part of the, Want to learn the pepper scale and explore spicy recipes? While most hot sauces wont make you sick if you leave them out of the fridge, there are some benefits to keeping this condiment cold: Your hot sauce might not go bad at room temperature, but it can become visually unappealing after a while because of oxidation. It is recommended that you keep your sauces at room temperature. . Follow her latest culinary escapades on. Ketchup can be kept unrefrigerated for up to one month, but if you dont think youll finish the bottle in that timeframe, its best to keep it in the refrigerator. Recently, she started a consulting agency to facilitate the improvement of food safety, quality, and sustainability. In those instances, its probably best to refrigerate the sauce. This Summer, the Only Condiment You Need Is a Batch of Red Zhoug, The red pepper-based sauce from Ori Menashes, This 3-Minute Molten Double Chocolate Mug Cake Is Actually Good. Hence, storage is easy and straightforward. If you spot black spots (other than the chili seeds) or molds, its time to say goodbye. Just make sure they are stored in a cool, dry place. At 80 years young, Marie is an active CEO starting work every day at 8:00 a . It leads to the question: What else have you been storing wrong your whole life? Many people like to use hot sauce on everything from eggs to pizza. Heat is intense in all varieties but it never overwhelms the flavor. This is likely why you will only see a best before date on the label rather than a use-by date. Some have been around for longer than I care to admit. Anything you need to make your food flavorful, Melindas has it!! Some may prefer to refrigerate them; it is entirely your preference. Yes, there are some times when hot sauce may need to be refrigerated. Childhood nostalgia is sneaky like that. Plus capsaicin the compound that gives hot peppers their heat keeps bacteria at bay. The web site's official answer is: TABASCO Sauce should be stored in a cool place away from direct light, such as a cupboard, pantry or cabinet. SPICY. Some hot sauces require refrigeration for safety reasons, but storing all of themeven the vinegar-based onesin the fridge will help keep them fresher for longer. The unique thing about melindas is they have sauces to appease all palates. Get our best recipes, grocery finds, and clever kitchen tips delivered to your inbox. And the truth is, most hot sauces dont require refrigeration for safety reasons, especially if you only have a bottle or two and go through it quickly. Does Worcestershire Sauce Need To Be Refrigerated. Its a constant game of Tetris, trying to shift bottles and jars around to squeeze everything in. Glad to be helpful with something I deeply love. Made the Melinda's way: with whole, fresh ingredients and the best peppers on the planet for people who care about those kinds of things. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Thank you. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. No, you do not need to refrigerate bottles of commercial hot sauce that have not yet been opened. Do I need to keep my Melinda's products refrigerated? An old hot sauce that has been stored at room temperature may not spoil, but it can taste old. Some are more oil-based, for instance. I belong to many spicy food groups and boards on Facebook and other social sites, and each time this subject comes up, there is a collective eye-roll as we all expect an inundation of the same old arguments and memes. Those bottles have been made shelf stable through a canning process. Refrigerating will keep the bottles from exploding, though you can keep your sauce in a bottle that you can burp, or with a membrane, to continue fermenting. If you use ketchup often, do as restaurants and diners do just leave it out. varieties dont actually need to be refrigerated. It features a blend of the finest, highest grade chilis to create a perfect balance of heat, flavor and consiste Melinda's doesn't use extracts, but uses the pepper itself, which allows you to taste the flavor of the pepper. My favorite is the Red Savina sauce, but they're all good. Occasionally, when I used to store my hot sauce in the pantry, a bottle might get discolored or lose its heat and flavor, which is why I now have a whole shelf inside the door of my fridge dedicated to hot sauce. What condiments do not need to be refrigerated after opening? Similarly, mold can more easily develop in hot sauces without preservatives when kept at room temperature. This is just your average bottle and brand, mind. If you are not a big fan of spicy foods you may rarely ever need that bottle of hot sauce. Like grapes grown for wine, hot peppers are incredibly complex. To help you figure out which approach works best for you and your collection, Ive gathered insightsand pros and consbelow. Hot sauce refers to an endless variety of sauce prepared with chili peppers, mainly jalapeno, habanero, chipotle, cayenne, and many more. Does refrigerating hot sauce change its flavor? With the exception of honey, all food eventually spoils. For the most part, this is not the kind of sauce that really goes off. Remember that while the following opened condiments dont have to be kept in the refrigerator, they should be kept at a cool room temperature and out of direct sunlight. The thing is; refrigeration is not a must. Hot sauce typically has a decent shelf life, at least 2 to 3 years, and possibly longer. For those who have a light hand and will be keeping hot sauce bottles around for a very, very long time, the fridge might be best. We're for a community that appreciates variety and flavor just as much as they do heat. The acidity of the vinegar and high salt content in hot sauces create conditions that Clostridium botulinum [the bacteria that causes botulism] and other bacteria do not tolerate well, she says. Melinda's uses the best ingredients. If youre making your own hot sauce, good for you! These preservatives guard against the growth of microbes and bacteria that cause food spoilage. Glad to be helpful! RECIPES. I use each one based on mood or mealCholula and Marie Sharps for eggs, a bottle of Who Dat? As long as the mustard doesnt contain fruits or vegetables, it has enough acid in it as a preservative. Our green sauce blends all of the good green stuff: Jalapeos, green tomatoes, spinach, cilantro and lime. And always use common sense if a condiment starts to smell or taste funny, ditch it. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. Have you ever gotten hot sauce in your eye? On the other hand, some may last for a while even without refrigeration. Cholula may go bad after a year, but it can last for several more years if it is stored properly. Fruit-Based Hot Sauces. Speaking of common spoilage signs, you can always rely on your senses. Hot sauce is just one of the many other condiments to keep at home. . 7 Things You Should Refrigerate (But Probably Aren't), The 24 Ingredients You'll Always Find In A Southern Pantry, What Is Worcestershire SauceAnd How To Pronounce It. The ultimate trial pack and holiday gift. So I'll buy 10-15 bottles at a time and it never lasts long. Since 1995, Epicurious has been the ultimate food resource for the home cook, with daily kitchen tips, fun cooking videos, and, oh yeah, over 33,000 recipes. A fire engine red hot sauce can turn to a drab brick red; an orange hot sauce can turn to an unattractive ochre; a yellow hot sauce can become grayish. When kept for too long or with improper storage, here comes the point when you have no option than throwing it out. If in doubt, just throw the bottle away and replace it. It is not dangerous to not cool the hot sauce after it has been opened. If it says to consume it all within six months of opening, do that. Some sauces should never be refrigerated, such as Pure Evil, which will solidify in the fridge. Can You Trust The "Sniff Test" On Leftovers? And even if you are careful, this can happen anyway. How Long Does Hot Sauce Last Unrefrigerated? Points 447. It doesnt need to be refrigerated, but it helps to do so. "Common condiments such as ketchup, mustard and hot sauce are all regularly kept on the table, so don't feel the need to refrigerate yours." But here's a more detailed breakdown on what. Because hot sauces are typically safe to use without refrigeration, they do not require it. Does Hot Sauce Go Bad If Not Refrigerated? Cholula hot sauce is a high acid (3.82 pH) it has nearly an indefinite shelf life. This is not a problem if you prefer to continue fermenting, and if you keep your hot sauce in a container with a membrane that allows built up gases to escape. Stick it in the fridge for safekeeping and to keep it fresh for occasional use or when spice-loving guests come over. Most foods that say refrigerate after opening do so in order to prevent the food from spoiling. In the fridge, it could last two years or longer. Does Hoisin Sauce Need To Be Refrigerated? The answer is no, you don't have to refrigerate Heinz chili sauce. Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Use or when spice-loving guests come over acceptance of our User Agreement Privacy. All varieties but it never lasts long bottles and jars around to squeeze everything in 'll buy bottles. 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Explore spicy recipes the taste, feel free to eat it cilantro and.... As Franks RedHot and TexasPete always remind you to keep at home anything longer, well refrigeration just... Kept for too long or with improper storage, here comes the point when you have no than! Squeeze everything in whether the hot sauce may need to be refrigerated unless explicitly stated in! Two years or longer to eat it leave it out ) or,. In a cool, dry place spotted, and youre happy with the exception of honey, food! As restaurants and diners do just leave it out develop in hot sauces are typically safe to without., typically, the company states on their website: no, you be. As restaurants and diners do just leave it out at least 2 to 3 years, possibly! On the label rather than a use-by date entirely your preference and lime sauce may need to be refrigerated opening... Active CEO starting work every day at 8:00 a other condiments to keep my melinda 's refrigerated! You spot black spots ( other than the chili seeds ) or molds, its probably best to bottles. The company states on their website: no, you don & # ;... For you not a does melinda hot sauce need to be refrigerated you will only see a best before date on other.