Fridge Life of Open Salsa

[CanadianMeg]

How long is storebought salsa good for in the fridge after opening? The grocery store we go to sells a great store brand roasted tomato salsa, but I just don't get through the jar very quickly. It doesn't have a handy best before date like salad dressing.

[Alix]

I find it lasts a good long time. I can't give you a specific date though. Really, I have had salsa in there for AGES and its not killed us yet.

[mudbug]

Have to agree with Alix. If it starts getting green in the gunk that sticks to the threads of the jar opening, though, I'd probably chuck it.

[Alix]

Or black. Black is BAAAAAD.

[mudbug]

yeah, don't confuse black gunk with that black corn fungus that some foodies declare they loooove. Black should probably not be a color in the food palette - even a black roux isn't really black.

but I digress...............

[Constance]

After a few months, I take a good look at it before I use it. If you see mold, it's too old.

[auntdot]

Agree that the stuff lasts for a long time, lots of preservatives in there.

Kinda like jarred relishes, basically the same sort of stuff, it will last for a long time.

[CanadianMeg]

Originally Posted by auntdot

Agree that the stuff lasts for a long time, lots of preservatives in there.

Here is the ingredient list:
tomatoes, water, tomato paste, red and green bell peppers, green chili peppers, jalapenos peppers, fire-roasted peppers, natural flavours, vinegar, dehydrated onions, salt, sugar, garlic, dehydrated garlic, cilantro, spices.

The sodium is 180mg/2 tbsp according to the label.

Salt is the only preservative I see in that list. Is that really enough to give it a long shelf life?

[GotGarlic]

Vinegar is also a preservative - the acidity kills bacteria. Also, keeping it in the fridge inhibits bacteria growth as well. It keeps a good long time.

[Loprraine]

I always bought the same brand of salsa. Over the last year, I found it got mouldy within a month or so, even being very careful with it. ( Never left out, no leftovers back in the jar, no used spoons etc). Not sure what it was, we'll see how long the new brand lasts.