Salsa is the Spanish word for sauce but when we are talking about salsa, we are usually referring to a Mexican side that contains things like tomatoes, herbs, onions, and chillies.

This is a popular chunky sauce that can be served with a variety of dishes and while it can be store bought, many people opt to make it at home.

If you are going to prepare homemade salsa, it is important to make sure that you store it correctly and are aware of how long it will be good for eating.

While bad salsa isn’t going to kill you, it could make you sick so a focus on food safety is imperative. So, let’s take a look at the answer to the question: how long does salsa last?

How Do You Make Homemade Salsa Last Longer?

Homemade salsa should always be kept in the fridge. When you purchase salsa from the grocery store, the lid is tightly sealed so that no air can get in.

It is contact with oxygen that begins the degeneration process of food but once you break that seal, you’ll need to store the salsa in the fridge anyway.

How long does salsa last?

Salsa, when kept in its airtight container before opening will remain good in the pantry for up to two months.

However, there will be a use by date on the label so you should adhere to this.

That said, once past that date, the salsa should remain good to eat in the fridge for up to five days.

In the case of homemade salsa, the food must be kept in the fridge and will last between five and seven days.

This will vary depending on the type of container you keep it in, with a covered container being the best option.

Fortunately, there are ways that you can make any leftover homemade salsa last that little bit longer.

How Long Is Homemade Salsa Good For In A Mason Jar?

If you want to prolong the life of your homemade salsa, one of the best and most effective things you can do is to store it in a sealed mason jar. These are widely available, don’t cost a lot, and can be reused.

Following this process will mean that your homemade salsa will last for up to 12 months so if you want to do a batch cook, this is a great way to do it. However, do keep in mind that once the jars are opened and the seal is broken, you will need to consume the salsa within five days.

Place the salsa into the mason jar and seal with a canning lid. Now you will need to pop the jars into a bath of water and bring this to the boil.

At this point, you should allow the boiling to continue for around one hour to fully process and seal the jars. Once done, you can store the mason jars in a cool dark place.

Can Homemade Salsa Be Left Out Overnight?

If you have hosted a dinner party and decided to leave the cleaning up until the morning, we don’t blame you.

But whatever you do, don’t attempt to rechill that leftover salsa. Once homemade salsa has been sitting out for two hours, the bacteria begins to grow and the food will quickly become contaminated.

Can I Freeze Homemade Salsa?

One of the biggest problems with freezing dishes that contain fruits and vegetables, like salsa, is that the food can lose its texture when it is frozen.

Fortunately, in the case of salsa, this won’t happen because the tomatoes, onions, and any other veggies you have used will have been ground down or finely chopped.

Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable to freezer homemade salsa and expect it to be just as good as the day you put it in the freezer. Stored this way, you can expect the salsa to last for up to two months.

Does Vinegar Preserve Salsa?

There is a lot of suggestion in the online food community that homemade salsa can be preserved through the use of vinegar.

The good news is that this is correct. Now, vinegar is frequently used in a salsa recipe but many experts suggest using as much as you can provided that it doesn’t affect the flavor.

How To Tell If Salsa Has Gone Bad

One of the easiest ways to tell if salsa is no longer fit for eating is to look at its color. Salsa should be a light red/deep orange color but if it begins to err more towards maroon, this is a sign that it has gone bad.

Of course, you can always take a look to see if there is any mold which is a definite indicator that the salsa should be discarded.

Moreover, bad salsa will give off a very unpleasant smell and not one that you would want to put into your mouth. If it smells off, it probably is. In addition to a bad smell, you might also notice that the texture of the salsa is more mushy and watery.

Can Old Salsa Make You Sick?

According to food safety experts, as many as one in twenty five cases of foodborne illnesses come as a result of people eating salsa that has gone bad.

It is believed that the reason for this is that salsa is made using raw vegetables which are often kept at room temperature (despite many warnings about keeping it in the fridge) and this is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.

Most people believe that salsa wouldn’t cause food poisoning because, after all, it’s only meat and dairy products that can do that, right? This is unfortunately not the case so always be sure to store your salsa correctly.

Summary

Salsa is a very well-loved side but should always be treated with care and respect. Keeping it incorrectly will cause bacteria to breed and the product could cause food poisoning.

When kept in the fridge, your homemade salsa will last for up to seven days but by storing it in a sealed mason jar in the pantry, it may last for up to a year.