Horseradish is a beneficial ingredient for a bunch of recipes. If you come across fresh horseradish at the market, picking up just a few would be difficult. Do you have many horseradishes left that make you wonder how long horseradish lasts? Let’s answer that!
Horseradish roots tend to last 1-2 days in the pantry but can last up to two months in the refrigerator. Horseradish sauce, on the other hand, has a much longer shelf life. An unopened bottle of the same will last up to 3 months beyond its “best before,” even in the pantry!
Horseradish tends to have a spicy and fiery flavor, making it a popular condiment. More often than not, horseradish sauce is popularly used, since it is mixed with a few ingredients that enhance the flavor.
This condiment quickly adds flavor to many recipes, from dips and sauces to marinades and salad dressings. Although most people prefer horseradish sauce, many people have also started using fresh roots to get as much of the natural flavor of horseradish as possible.
So, storing horseradish in a way to make sure it stays fresh for as long as possible is essential. This blog post will discuss horseradish, both roots and sauce, their signs of spoilage, and how to preserve both for the best flavor!
How Long Does Horseradish Last?
| Type | Pantry | Refrigerator |
| Horseradish Root | 1-2 Weeks | 1-2 Months |
| Horseradish Sauce (Unopened) | 3 Months | 3 Months |
| Horseradish Sauce (Opened) | – | 1-2 Months |
I want to point out that the shelf life mentioned for horseradish sauce, especially the unopened bottle, is for after it passes the “best before” date. You may have noticed that horseradish sauce tends to have “best before” printed on its packaging.
This is because horseradish sauce has a bunch of preservatives added to it, which can make it last longer than its said shelf life. There may also be horseradish condiments mixed with mayonnaise. However, those should be used within the time frame given on the packaging.
Once opened, Horseradish sauce should not be stored in the pantry. It is best to store it in the refrigerator, which can last for a maximum of two months beyond the said shelf life.
On the other hand, fresh horseradish roots don’t last as long as the sauce. Roots can last in the refrigerator for two months, depending on how long they were stored before you bought them.
Can You Keep Fresh Horseradish In The Freezer?
Freezing is one of the best ways to preserve any food item for longer, whether a fresh vegetable or sauce. Freezing horseradish is something that is done only sometimes. But, if you want to increase the shelf life of the same, can it be done?
Yes, you can keep fresh horseradish in the freezer. Like other food items, freezing horseradish will increase the shelf life tremendously so that the root can last 4-6 months. Although, you need to take a few measures and store it properly.
How To Tell If Horseradish Has Gone Bad?
Being a perishable food item, both horseradish and horseradish sauce are prone to going bad. There are a few signs that are easy to point out, to tell if your horseradish is still in good condition, or if it should be discarded. These signs differ for both the root and the sauce, so I have mentioned them below.
Horseradish Roots
1. Appearance
If you see any moldy growth on the horseradish roots or black spots, chances are that the root is past its prime and should be thrown out.
2. Texture
It has gone chiefly wrong if the horseradish root feels too soft and mushy simultaneously, which is more than usual.
Horseradish Sauce
1. Appearance
Look for signs of discoloration or mold in your horseradish sauce, like the roots. The sauce is good to go if you don’t see any of that.
2. Smell
It could have gone better if your horseradish sauce had developed a rotten smell. Horseradish sauce does have a strong smell, but it should not be putrid under any circumstances.
3. Taste
Lastly, if the first two factors are not convincing enough, you could taste a bit of the sauce to check its quality. The horseradish sauce must be corrected if the flavor is ranid or bitter.
What Happens If You Consume Bad Horseradish?
Once horseradish is past its prime, it should not be consumed in any way. It will surely lose its nutritional value and will also give all your food a bitter and unpleasant taste. Moreover, some health side effects can happen if you consume bad horseradish.
Eating horseradish that has gone bad or is moldy can cause noticeable side effects to the body. It can cause food poisoning, especially if you consume moldy horseradish roots or sauce. The results might not be as adverse in some cases, but they can still cause stomach irritation.
How To Store Horseradish Properly?
Storage is one of the most important aspects of any food item, especially if you want to ensure it stays in its best condition for a long time.
The storage of horseradish roots and sauce is similar in some ways but also slightly different. Please look at how you can store them both in the best way possible!
Horseradish Roots
1. Pantry
If you plan to use your horseradish roots quickly, storing them in the pantry is a great option. Wrap the horseradish roots in a food-safe bag, and place them in the pantry at room temperature.
2. Refrigerator
Storing horseradish roots in the refrigerator is a great idea, especially if you want to keep them fresh for extended periods. However, you should not just pop them in the refrigerator as they are because that can deteriorate their flavor.
Instead, clean the roots, wrap them in paper towels, place them in a food-safe bag with holes, and finally, place them in the refrigerator.
3. Vinegar
If you have grated or ground roots of fresh horseradish, it is best to preserve them in vinegar to keep their flavor intact. Add them to an airtight container filled with vinegar, which will act as the preservative for the roots, then pop them in the refrigerator.
4. Freezer
If you want the roots to last up to 6 months, storing them in the freezer is a great option. You should also separate the roots into smaller portions here, as that will make thawing them much more accessible. Then, put them in plastic wraps and store them in the freezer.
Horseradish Sauce
1. Pantry
If the bottle of horseradish sauce is unopened, you should store it in the pantry. Store it in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight.
2. Refrigerator
Once you have opened the bottle, storing it in the refrigerator is best. Make sure you close the bottle very well, after every use, before keeping it back in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Horseradish is a lovely root that adds flavor to most food. Both horseradish roots and sauce are widely flavorful and can last long. Horseradish roots can last in the pantry for a few weeks and in the refrigerator for a few months.
On the other hand, Horseradish sauce can last in the pantry for three months more than its “best before” date if the bottle is unopened. Once you open the bottle, it should be stored in the refrigerator. If your horseradish storage conditions are optimum, they will stay fresh for much longer!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does horseradish sauce last longer than horseradish roots?
Yes, horseradish sauce does last longer than the roots.
Why does horseradish sauce last longer than the roots?
Horseradish sauce has vinegar added to it, which acts as a preservative, hence increasing the shelf life of horseradish sauce.
Can horseradish roots be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze horseradish roots.
Can eating spoiled horseradish have adverse effects on health?
Yes, eating spoiled horseradish can have adverse effects like stomach irritation or food poisoning.
