This Is How Long Tomato Sauce Lasts in the Refrigerator

Whether you want to cook a quick weeknight pasta dinner or enhance the flavor of beef chili or stew, tomato-based sauces will save the day. But it's important to know how long tomato sauce lasts in the refrigerator if you're reaching for an already-open jar. Ahead, food safety experts weigh in on how to know if that sauce is no longer tasty or safe to eat—and offer storage tips for both refrigerating and freezing your leftovers.

How Long Store-Bought Tomato Sauce Lasts in the Refrigerator

Most jarred tomato-based sauces have a shelf life of about one year. However, once they're opened, they should be used quickly. "After opening a high-acid canned food, like a tomato sauce, it can be stored safely in the refrigerator for five to seven days before being used," says Shelley Feist, executive director of partnership for Food Safety Education.

How Long Homemade Tomato Sauce Lasts in the Refrigerator

Because homemade tomato sauce isn't made with shelf-stable preservatives, it has a shorter life in the fridge. Generally, homemade tomato sauce will last for three to five days.

How to Store Tomato Sauce

According to Barilla, unopened jars of pasta sauce should be stored at room temperature in a cupboard or pantry. Once open, however, they should be used quickly to avoid spoilage bacteria.

Nicole Birmingham, senior vice president of research and development at Rao's Homemade, points out that specific brands may last more or less time than others—but it's important to keep all open sauces at a safe temperature (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit). "How long a jar of pasta sauce will last in the refrigerator may depend on the ingredients used in the sauce, but you should refrigerate any sauce that won't be cooked right away to maintain quality after opening," she says.

Can You Freeze Tomato Sauce?

As long as your homemade tomato sauce doesn't contain cream or cheese, you can easily freeze it in airtight quart containers. "You can freeze any unused sauce in an airtight container. Use it within six months for the best quality experience," says Birmingham.

How to Tell When Tomato Sauce Has Spoiled

Rotten tomato sauce will have several tells: It will look moldy, smell bad, or taste off. However, pasta sauce that's old—but not noticeably rotten—can still cause food poisoning, and aside from mold, there are no other visible signs that tomato sauce is past its peak. "You can't see, smell, or taste the bacteria that can cause a foodborne illness," says Feist. She recommends always reheating sauce to 145 degrees Fahrenheit before using it to kill any bacteria that is a result of mild spoilage.

How to Store Alfredo Sauce

Homemade alfredo sauce lasts the same amount of time once opened, but does not freeze and reheat well due to the dairy content. "Although it's not harmful to consume, the cream tends to shatter when you reheat alfredo sauce, which ruins the texture," says Christopher Arturo, chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education. Store-bought alfredo sauce contains cornstarch, which helps the cheese to bind properly and prevents separation when reheated.