A recent study has shown that over 40 million Americans eat pizza daily! Pizza is a very popular food across the globe as well. It is easy to make and is irresistible if you come home after a tiring day at work and find pizza on the counter.
One of the main ingredients in pizza is the pizza sauce. The sauce is the backbone of pizza and makes or breaks your pizza. People around the world prefer making pizza at home with their unique flavors at taste preferences. Hence, preparing homemade pizza sauce is a norm for these people.
People make large portions of pizza sauce and save them for further use. However, it is important to know how long does pizza sauce last in the fridge? In this article, we will talk in detail about it, including the correct methods to freeze pizza, and how to tell if a pizza sauce has gone bad.
How Long Does Homemade Pizza Sauce Last In The Fridge?
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The answer to this question depends on various factors. Firstly, it depends on the temperature of the fridge it has been stored at. A jar of pizza sauce can last from 5-7 days if it’s homemade. Note that the optimum temperature of your fridge is the essential factor here.
Secondly, the base of the sauce also matters on how long does pizza sauce lasts in the fridge. If your pizza sauce is made with a traditional tomato base, it will probably last for 5-7 days. However, if the sauce is cheese-based, it will only last for 4 days maximum as dairy products tend to go bad in a shorter period.
How Long Does Pizza Sauce Last In The Fridge? Store-Bought
If you prefer buying your pizza sauce directly from the market, the number of days it stays good does vary. Store-bought pizza sauce can last up to 2 weeks. Also, you can know the exact of how long does pizza sauce lasts in the fridge by reading the expiry date upon it.
How to Properly Freeze Pizza Sauce?
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The best method to adequately store pizza sauce for a long time is to freeze it. There are 3 main methods of freezing pizza sauce. Have a look below:
In A Jar
If you prefer making your pizza sauce at home, there is a very simple way to store it in a jar. After preparing the sauce, allow it to cool completely. Make sure that the jar you use for storing your sauce is of good quality and might not crack in the freezer.
Before pouring in the sauce, completely dry off the jar and be sure to not let any water droplets enter the jar. The reason for this is that water can ruin your premium pizza sauce within hours.
Pour in the tomato goodness up to a certain extent. Do not fill in the jar completely as the sauce will expand when it freezes. Hence, filling up the jar to the brim will cause it to crack. Label the date of storage before popping the jar into the freezer. Also, make sure to cap the jar tightly to avoid any unwanted particles from entering in.
If you wish to freeze a store-bought jar, remove some sauce before storing it to allow the sauce to expand.
Read also: When Does Chick Fil A Sauce Expire? Read Authentic Information Here!
In Airtight Bags
Be sure to use freezer-friendly, good-quality plastic bags to store pizza sauce. Before pouring in a portion of pizza sauce, let all the possible air out of the bag. Label the date of storing to keep a track of its expiry. After that, fill in considerable portion size in the bag and lay it flat down in the freezer.
In Ice Cube Trays
Another easy and hassle-free method of storing pizza sauce is by filling in some unused ice cube trays with the red goodness. You may use muffin trays as well for this. Make sure to clean the trays before your pour in the sauce. There shouldn’t be any ice or water left as it can spoil the sauce. Pour in the pizza sauce and allow it to freeze for 4 hours.
After completely frozen, you may put the sauce cubes in an airtight bag for storing.
How to Defrost the Sauce?
So it’s time to make some pizza, how to use our frozen sauce again?
To defrost your pizza sauce, pop it into the fridge overnight to increase its temperature throughout the night. Also, if you need your sauce right away, microwave it in a bowl for a few minutes. You may also place the bowl into hot water and allow it to cool.
How to Tell If the Sauce Has Gone Bad?
It is essential to know when to say goodbye to your beloved pizza sauce as contaminated ingredients can make you sick.
If you leave the sauce outside for more than a couple of hours, the probability is that it’s gone bad and should be thrown away.
If the sauce is store-bought, look for the expiry date to keep track of when the sauce goes bad. Note that the expiry date is valid once the sauce is unopened. The used sauce might only last several days. Before you buy a jar of pizza sauce from the store, check for any dented or deformed jars. Don’t buy them even if their seal is broken.
If you encounter mold forming on your pizza sauce or even only on the jar, it’s time to throw it straight away. The mold may be of green, white, or black color. You may taste the sauce to find any sour, bitter, & tangy flavors before concluding.
Do not taste the sauce if you find mold accumulated in it.
Conclusion
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We hope this article answered your question on how long does pizza sauce lasts in the fridge. Feel free to express your views regarding this article in the comment section below. Have a great pizza night!
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