Does sriracha go bad? You’ve had the same bottle of hot sauce for months. Is it okay to use or should it be tossed? Read on for the answer!
For food safety reasons, it’s important to pay attention to expiration dates and to store them correctly.
Some condiments require refrigeration and others just need to be kept in a cool, dry place.
Huy Fong’s Sriracha sauce has become extremely popular over the past decade, so it’s important to know: Does it go bad, and does it require refrigeration?
I recently noticed that my Kikkoman soy sauce bottle stated to “refrigerate after opening,” which surprised me quite a bit since it didn’t seem like anything in the bottle would spoil. It turned out that soy sauce doesn’t need to be refrigerated; refrigeration just prolongs the flavor,
This got me wondering if I was missing any similar notes on my other condiments. So I’ve been double checking the other bottles in my pantry and fridge to see if I’m storing anything in the wrong place.
Does Sriracha Go Bad?
According to official information from Huy Fong’s website:
You can find a “best before” date lasered onto the label, near the neck of the bottle. You should be able to feel it with your fingers.
Although you can still use Sriracha after that date passes without concern, the hot sauce may actually become spicier as the chilis age. Also, the product may start to lose its vibrant red color, as the chili peppers slowly change color as they age.
However, it’s still a good idea to read the label and look at the ingredients. Some fancier hot sauces have additional ingredients for flavor that could shorten their shelf life. Bottom line, always check the labels. If you’re unsure, you can always contact the manufacturer for advice (or just check their website for a FAQ section).
Do Hot Sauces Need to Be Refrigerated?
The majority of hot sauces will not spoil, and can sit in the pantry for a long time. Specifically, Sriracha does not need to be refrigerated. Again, the company states on their website:
No, our products do not have to be refrigerated. Just make sure they are stored in a cool, dry place.
Capsaicin, the active compound that makes chili peppers hot, helps to kill bacteria along with the vinegar base found in most hot sauces.
Recipes with Sriracha
Ready to get cooking with Sriracha? Here are a few of my favorites recipes:
- Blistered Shishito Peppers with Sriracha Aioli
- Sesame-Crusted Tofu Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
- Sriracha Hummus
- Crispy Old Bay Mushrooms with Sriracha Mayo
Be sure to also check out my entire archive of Sriracha recipes!
Types of Sriracha
While I’m pretty much a Huy Fong loyalist, there are actually many brands of Sriracha available in stores and online.
Wondering which brand of Sriracha tastes the best? Check out this great article from Serious Eats! They did some serious taste tests to come up with a winner.
Leave a Reply