Shelf Life Tips
- How long does cocktail sauce last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize the shelf life of opened cocktail sauce, store in a cool, dark place and keep tightly covered at all times.
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How long does an opened bottle of cocktail sauce last at normal room temperature? Opened cocktail sauce will usually keep well for 1 month when stored in the pantry.
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To extend the shelf life of opened cocktail sauce, refrigerate it.
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How long does opened cocktail sauce last in the refrigerator? Cocktail sauce that has been continuously refrigerated will generally stay at best quality for about 6 to 9 months.
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Is opened cocktail sauce safe to use after the expiration date? Yes, provided it has been stored properly, the bottle is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially bottled cocktail sauce 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 cocktail sauce will remain at peak quality.
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The storage time shown for opened cocktail sauce is for best quality only - after that, the cocktail sauce's texture, color or flavor may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe to consume if it has been kept continuously refrigerated, the bottle is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below).
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How can you tell if opened cocktail sauce is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the cocktail sauce: if the cocktail sauce develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
