Does Frank’s hot sauce need to be refrigerated?

In this article, we will answer the question “Does Frank’s hot sauce need to be refrigerated?”, does hot sauce go bad, how to store hot sauce, and how to tell if the hot sauce is bad. 

Does Frank’s hot sauce need to be refrigerated?

Out of the 9 types of hot sauces that Frank’s hot sauce manufacturers, the company recommends refrigerating only two; Frank’s RedHot Sweet Chili® and Frank’s RedHot® Slammin’ Sriracha® Chili Sauce.

Does Cholula hot sauce need to be refrigerated? 

Cholula’s hot sauce is best used within 6 months of opening the bottle. If the bottle is opened but within the printed date, the sauce is good to eat. Cholula does not recommend refrigerating their hot sauce. 

Moreover, the company’s best-by dates are a bit strict and the sauce remains good to eat for at least a couple of months past the printed date.

Does Louisiana hot sauce need to be refrigerated? 

You do not need to refrigerate Louisiana hot sauce. Their sauce lasts for up to 5 years after manufacturing. The company recommends discarding the sauce once it’s past its printed date. If you stored it properly, your Louisiana hot sauce will be salvageable even after the printed date.

Does Texas Pete hot sauce need to be refrigerated? 

No, the Texas Pete hot sauce does not need to be refrigerated. If stored correctly, the Texas Pete hot sauce will taste good even months after the printed date. 

According to the company website, the shift in color of the Texas Pete hot sauce occurs due to extended storage and does not affect the safety of the sauce.

Does Tapatio hot sauce need to be refrigerated? 

No, the Tapatio hot sauce does not need to be refrigerated after opening. Their hot sauce lasts for up to 2 years after opening. However, this is only a best-by date.  If stored correctly, Tapatio hot sauce can be safely used past the printed date.

Does hot sauce go bad?

Yes, the hot sauce goes bad. Although rare, hot sauce may be accidentally exposed to mold spores or bacteria that may render the hot sauce unfit for consumption. What mostly happens is that the quality, such as the taste, color, and odor, of the hot sauce degrades with time. 

A poor-quality hot sauce is not the same as a spoiled hot sauce. If not salvageable, you can discard the poor-quality hot sauce. 

How to tell if hot sauce is bad?

Mold: Visible mold growth on the surface of the sauce or under the cap of the sauce bottle is a sure sign that the hot sauce is bad.

Off smell: The original flavor of the hot sauce varies with the type of hot sauce and the brand. So, if the sauce deviates from its original flavor, or gives off a fermented odor, it is done for.

Change in appearance: Hot sauce becoming darker in color is a natural process. This happens due to oxidation and prolonged storage. However, if you feel something is off about the sauce in addition to a simple darkening of color, get rid of the sauce. 

Off-taste: If the hot sauce clears all other quality tests but fails the taste check, it belongs in the bin.

How long does hot sauce last?

An unopened bottle of hot sauce stays good for about 2-3 years if stored correctly. Once opened, it only lasts up to a year in the fridge and only 6 months at room temperature.

In the pantry In the fridge 
Hot sauce (Unopened)Best by + 1+ years 
Hot sauce (Opened) 6+ months 1+ years 
Homemade hot sauce (fresh peppers) 1-3 weeks 
Homemade hot sauce (fermented peppers) 2-3 months 

How to store hot sauce? 

An unopened bottle of hot sauce should be kept somewhere cool, dark, and dry. A pantry or kitchen cabinets are perfect choices in this regard. Make sure the hot sauce bottle is not exposed to any direct sources of heat such as the stovetop and sunlight. 

Refrain from dipping your fingers or food directly into the hot sauce bottle. This practice serves as a vehicle for transferring bacteria into the sauce and subsequently spoiling it before the expiry date. 

Always use clean spoons to take the sauce out from the bottle. Last but not the least, do not let the sauce dry and form a crust around the rim and beneath the cap of the bottle. The dried-out hot sauce flakes can fall into the sauce, ruining its quality while also compromising its safety.

Other FAQs about Sauces that you may be interested in.

Can you overcook marinara sauce?

Can you overcook spaghetti sauce?

Can you put marinara sauce on spaghetti? 

Do you have to cook marinara sauce?

Conclusion 

In this article, we answered the question “Does Frank’s hot sauce need to be refrigerated?”, does hot sauce go bad, how to store hot sauce, and how to tell if the hot sauce is bad. 

References 

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