One of the most consumed hot sauces worldwide is Sriracha. The storage, shelf life, and deterioration of Sriracha are the main topics of this article. Does sriracha need to be refrigerated? Find out how long the sauce keeps its quality, and whether you need to store it in the fridge after opening.
You’ve been keeping a partially opened bottle of Sriracha in storage for a while now and are curious if it ever spoils.
Or perhaps you’ve just opened the condiment for the first time and are wondering whether you should put it in the refrigerator or not.
Does it sound like you? If so, this article offers all the solutions you need.
Table of Contents
What Are The Ingredients in Sriracha?
Sriracha is fairly easy to make. In a nutshell, it includes preservatives and thickening agents in addition to red jalapenos, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and salt. It can be stored in a cupboard opened for months or perhaps years because that hot sauce is so straightforward. So there is no need to chill Sriracha.
Does Sriracha Need to Be Refrigerated?
Even after opening the bottle, Sriracha doesn’t need to be refrigerated. That’s because the condiment’s components don’t easily go bad and don’t support bacterial development. It can be stored in a cold, dry location.
So Sriracha isn’t your standard salsa that needs to be refrigerated immediately after opening.
Having said that, Sriracha is no different from most other hot sauces in that it benefits from refrigeration. It will maintain flavor longer and not discolor as soon as you store it in the refrigerator.
The basic line is that it’s okay to store open Sriracha at room temperature if you plan to complete the bottle within a few months. But it’s preferable to refrigerate if you anticipate keeping it in storage for more than six months.
Also Read: Do Peppers Need to Be Refrigerated?
Will Sriracha Go Bad?
Because the majority of Sriracha hot sauce’s constituents, such as chili peppers, vinegar, and salt, are natural preservatives, it doesn’t quickly go bad. Because of this, even though the sauce has a date on the bottle, it frequently lasts months after that date.
However, Sriracha gradually loses flavor over time, and eventually, you might become dissatisfied with its flavor. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict with certainty when that will occur.
Knowing that Huy Fong Foods’ Sriracha is created with naturally grown chili peppers is important in terms of quality. This implies that some bottles may be a little hotter than others and that the color may also vary significantly.
Despite this, Sriracha can still go bad. The condiment may spoil if kept in poor storage conditions for an extended period of time. Let’s discuss what that would entail.
How to Spot A Bad Sriracha?
Sriracha that has gone bad includes:
- Existence of any organic development, including mold. Although moldy Sriracha is uncommon, if yours is, it needs to be discarded.
- Unsavory odor. If your Sriracha smells rotten or fermented rather than the typical spicy-savory aroma, throw it away.
- Drastic texture alteration. The sauce is lost if it has entirely separated or if you can no longer pour it.
- Poor taste. Try eating a little if everything seems to be in order. Your Sriracha will be fine almost always. However, if the flavor is inadequate or it simply tastes unpleasant, it should be discarded.
How Long Can Sriracha Last?
Sriracha has a two-year shelf life and is often still edible after the listed expiration date. When the bottle is opened, it preserves its quality for at least six months at room temperature and longer if refrigerated.
Of course, Sriracha’s quality may not last as long if the bottle has already beyond the indicated expiration date when you open it. But the likelihood is that it will be safe well past that date, as I said in the section about spoiling.
It’s hard to say how long Sriracha really lasts, just like Tabasco and pretty much any other hot sauce. The problem with this is that the poor quality of the condiment is more likely to cause you to throw it away than the fact that it has become unhealthy to eat.
Date of Expiration
On the label, there is a best-by date, but that is merely a general indication of how long the sauce will stay fresh. There is no “expiration” date and quality, not safety, is what matters most.
Almost all hot sauces can readily be consumed months after their expiration date. Additionally, Sriracha lasts at least as long as comparable sauces because it includes roughly the same amount of vinegar.
