Shelf Life Tips
- How long does a can of tomato puree last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep opened tomato puree refrigerated and tightly covered.
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To maximize the shelf life of canned or packaged tomato puree after opening, refrigerate in a covered glass or plastic container.
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How long does opened canned tomato puree last in the refrigerator? Tomato puree that has been continuously refrigerated will keep for about 5 to 7 days.
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Is canned tomato puree safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided it has been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially packaged tomato puree will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the tomato puree will remain at peak quality.
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To further extend the shelf life of opened canned tomato puree, freeze it: to freeze tomato puree, place inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long does canned tomato puree last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - tomato puree that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long does canned tomato puree last after being frozen and thawed? Canned tomato puree that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using; tomato puree that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used immediately.
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How can you tell if opened canned tomato puree is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the tomato puree: if the tomato puree develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Discard all tomato puree from cans or packages that are leaking, rusting, bulging or severely dented.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
