How Long Does Marinara Sauce Last In The Fridge?

Marinara sauce is undoubtedly the best base sauce for indulging in a bowl of delicious pasta. They are readily available in the market and can be made at home. However, what do you do with the leftover sauce once you’ve used a portion of your marinara sauce?

You store it for later use. But what are the storage rules? We will find out how long marinara sauce lasts in the refrigerator and how to preserve it here.

The homemade marinara sauce has a shorter life than store-bought bottles. Homemade marinara sauce can typically last in the fridge for 4-5 days if stored properly in an airtight container. On the other hand, store-bought marinara sauce lasts for up to two weeks. 

However, the freshness and quality of marinara sauce depend on many factors that can increase or decrease its shelf life. These factors include the ingredients, storage method, temperature, and usage.

So, let’s study the lifespan of marinara sauce in the refrigerator and the signs that tell us it has gone bad.

How Long Does Marinara Sauce Last In The Refrigerator?

The life of marinara sauce depends on whether it’s homemade or store-bought. The homemade marinara sauce has a shorter life as it isn’t made with shelf-stable preservatives.

It can be refrigerated for 4-5 days. On the other hand, store-bought marinara sauce jars last longer and can be enjoyed for up to two weeks easily.

However, unopened jars of store-bought marinara sauce last even longer. They are safe to consume till their best-by date and a few months beyond the date printed on the label if stored properly according to package instructions.

Furthermore, you can also extend the shelf life of homemade or store-bought marinara by freezing them for up to a year.

Does Marinara Go Bad Easily?

Whether homemade or store-bought, marinara sauce can go bad easily due to exposure to air and uneven temperature, leading to bacteria growth. Thus, it’s important to learn how to store marinara sauce in the proper way to enjoy it to the fullest. 

Spoiled marinara starts to develop an off smell and taste. It also changes its appearance. You may notice mold or yeast growth on the surface of a spoiled marinara sauce.

So, to determine your marinara sauce’s condition, let’s look at all the signs that indicate spoilage.

How To Tell If Marinara Has Gone Bad? 

There are several signs that you can look for to determine if the marinara sauce has gone bad:

1. Smell

The smell is the first sign that tells the condition of the marinara sauce. If your sauce smells off or sour and has an unpleasant odor, it has likely gone bad and should be discarded.

2. Appearance

Another sign that can tell you immediately is that your marinara sauce is spoiled by examining its looks. If you notice changes in appearance in your marinara sauce, it may have gone bad.

These changes include mold growth on the surface of the separation of liquids in the sauce. These are signs that indicate your sauce has gone bad. Thus, it should be discarded.

3. Texture

If the smell and looks of marinara show no sign of spoilage, look out for its texture. Spoiled marinara sauce may have a slimy or grainy texture. Such a sauce should be discarded.

4. Taste

 Lastly, if you notice none of the signs of spoilage mentioned above, do a taste test. If your marinara sauce tastes sour or has an unusual flavor, it may have gone bad. It’s time to discard and make a new batch!

How To Store Marinara?

Nothing tastes better on a pizza and pasta than a delicious marinara sauce. But to enjoy it to the fullest, it is important to store it properly. As I mentioned earlier, temperature fluctuations and exposure to air can spoil your sauce in time. So, check out the correct ways to store marinara sauce.

Homemade Marinara Sauce Refrigeration

1. Allow your homemade marinara sauce to come down to room temperature.
2. Transfer it to an airtight container or a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate it.

Store-Bought Marinara Sauce Refrigeration

The store-bought marinara sauce comes in jars or cans. Once opened, store the marinara sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate it immediately.

While storing homemade or store-bought marinara sauce, make sure to keep it at a temperature below 40°F (4°C) to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Freezing Homemade or Store-Bought Marinara Sauce

Freezing marinara sauce is a great way to extend its shelf life and have it on hand for quick and easy meals. Below are the steps to freeze homemade or store-bought marinara sauce to make its best use:

1. If you have freshly prepared marinara sauce at home, allow it to cool and come down to room temperature before freezing it.
2. Pour the sauce into a freezer-safe container, glass jar, or freezer bag, and leave some room at the top for the sauce to expand during freezing. If you have prepared a large batch of sauce, portion it into smaller containers to make the process of thawing easy.
3. One stored in the appropriate container, label the container with the date and contents of the marinara sauce.
4. Place the marinara sauce in the freezer and store it for up to 6 months. 
5. When you are ready to use the frozen marinara sauce, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or defrost it in the microwave on a low setting. Once thawed, the sauce can be easily reheated in a pan. 

Conclusion 

Whether you’re rustling up a quick meal or treating a bunch of friends, marinara sauce is most likely your key ingredient for a lavish and successful meal.

But in either case, you may be left with some sauce that would make you wonder by when you should finish it.

This is when the proper knowledge of the shelf life of marinara sauce and how to store it comes in handy. Thus, if you have marinara sauce at home, make its best use by consuming it within 4-5 days. But if you wish to store it for longer, make use of your freezer and freeze it away.

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