How Long Does Applesauce Last After Opened?
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Applesauce is one of those foods that most people have in the back of their pantry or cabinet, and may not even know when they bought it.
Fortunately, it’s probably still good, since applesauce can stay fresh for a long time if it’s unopened.
However, once you’ve finally broken the seal and it’s no longer in an airtight container, you might be wondering how long it does applesauce last after opened before spoiling. And if there are any ways to help keep it fresh for a longer time?
Keep reading, and we’ll answer all those questions and more as we walk you through everything you need to know to safely consume your applesauce.
There are even a few recipe ideas that will help you finish off the whole jar!
How Long Does Applesauce Last After It’s Opened?
Unopened apple sauce can last quite a while. The expiration date may indicate a lifespan of years, and usually, it’s good for at least a few months beyond the date that you find on the package.
However, once you open your container of applesauce, its lifespan is dramatically decreased.
After you open the applesauce, you’ll need to store it in the fridge. It will quickly go bad if left at room temperature.
Once refrigerated, the shelf life of applesauce will vary, but generally, both store bought and homemade applesauce will last approximately 7-10 days in the fridge.
However, some store bought applesauce may be good for as long as a month, so read your label carefully.
Does Applesauce Go Bad?
Unfortunately, applesauce won’t last forever, especially once it’s been opened.
Applesauce definitely will go bad eventually, so you’ll want to be mindful of how long you’ve kept an opened container in your fridge.
Most commonly applesauce will spoil but it can also grow mold. If you eat spoiled or moldy applesauce it can make you sick, so it’s definitely important to avoid and practice good food safety protocols.
Bad applesauce is something you want to avoid. The best way to do that is to make note of the best-by date. Also, make sure to store fresh applesauce correctly.
Ways to Correctly Store Applesauce
The best way to store your applesauce will depend on if it’s already been opened or not. Unopened store-bought applesauce should be treated differently from applesauce that has been opened.
- In the kitchen pantry is one option. However, this only is safe if you have an unopened jar of applesauce. Similarly, if you haven’t broken the seal yet, you can keep the applesauce in a cabinet, or another place that is cool and dark.
- In the refrigerator is the only option for stowing your applesauce once the container has been opened. Make sure that you seal the jar tightly again. Otherwise, put it in a new container if the original one is not resealable.
Also, if you are getting multiple portions out of your container of applesauce, be sure that you never dish out a serving with a dirty spoon or utensil that has been contaminated by another type of food.
Always use clean spoons or else the remnants that can leave in your applesauce container can cause mold to quickly sprout.
If you need to put your applesauce into a different container from that which it came in, it’s a good idea to use a glass jar or even mason jars.
Just be sure you use a lid. If you decide to use plastic, be sure it is graded for use for food items.
The same holds true for if you’re making your own applesauce.
Can You Freeze Applesauce?
You can definitely freeze applesauce if you want to prolong its lifespan after opening your container! There’s nothing that you need to do in particular to prepare applesauce for freezing, just make sure it’s in a freezer-safe container and is well sealed.
Applesauce freezes easily and it’s a super simple way to make the most of it.
Whether you have homemade apple sauce or store bought, you’ll want to use something like a freezer bag so that it doesn’t take up too much space.
Plastic containers are fine too. Just be sure it’s well sealed so that there’s no freezer burn over time. Proper storage will help your applesauce last much longer.
However, it is important to know that once you unfreeze your applesauce, it’s not going to be quite the same as applesauce that has never been frozen.
The texture changes with freezing, and the sauce will become a bit thinner and more watery.
This isn’t going to affect the taste or be an extreme shift. Many people eat applesauce that has been previously frozen without taking any steps and enjoy it just as much. Though some people will not like the new consistency.
To combat this, you can always try straining out the extra cold water. Also, you can choose to just cook with the applesauce. It shouldn’t make a difference in most recipes, such as for baked goods.
Frozen applesauce can also be a great way of making popsicles for kids!
I used to make applesauce for my babies and would freeze them in ice cube trays. I preferred unsweetened applesauce so that they weren’t getting a lot of added sugar. It was a very simple way to make baby food for cheap.
How to Tell if Applesauce Has Gone Bad
Paying attention to the expiration date if it’s unopened or the day on which you first opened your container of applesauce is key.
The reason why it is especially important is that there aren’t always noticeable indicators that applesauce has spoiled if it’s only just begun to turn.
Therefore, if you are way beyond the window of 7-10 days after opening, you’ll want to just go ahead and toss it out because it’s better to be safe than sorry.
However, there are a few signs of spoilage that you should always be wary of. For instance, you’ll want to watch out for any weird smells coming from your bottle of applesauce.
If your applesauce has an off odor, it’s begun to spoil and should not be consumed. Likewise, if you see any mold forming on the top of your applesauce, just throw it away, because it is no longer safe to eat.
However, it’s important to note that not all visual changes mean your applesauce has gone bad. If it’s started to turn slightly brown on top, that’s just called ‘browning’ and it’s normal.
You can discard the discolored layer, or mix it all together, as it’s still okay to ingest.
If your applesauce isn’t out of date, you don’t see anything concerning on the surface of your applesauce, and it doesn’t have a strange smell, you can go ahead and taste it.
However, always be sure to discard it if the flavor is off. This can also indicate that your applesauce has gone bad.
How to Use Up Applesauce
Applesauce makes a delicious snack on its own, but there are also some great recipes and creative ways to cook with it if you want to use up the jar before it spoils. Some ideas include:
- Bake some treats. Applesauce is great in baked goods. There are tons of recipes online for applesauce cakes, muffins, and cookies, that get a really delicious appley flavor by highlighting this ingredient. However, applesauce can also be used in less traditional ways with baking.
It’s commonly used as an egg replacer in vegan recipes. So, if you have plant-based friends, you can surprise them with some pastries that use applesauce to maintain a delicious and moist texture. - Use it as a topping. Applesauce is yummy and can add some oomph to your desserts. Put it on top of an ice cream to make a special sundae! Alternatively, you can use it on breakfast dishes. It’s great when added to oatmeal or to top your pancakes!
- PB&A. An easy sandwich or snack, with no jelly required! Applesauce is a great substitute from jam when you’re making a peanut butter sandwich.
- Serve it with charcuterie. A little bit of applesauce makes a delicious condiment with cheese. It adds just a little sweetness and will make your cheese board memorable.
- Cooked into dinner. Applesauce is traditionally used in sweet treats and desserts, but there’s no rule saying you can’t use it in savory meals too! There are some really inventive recipes out there that call for applesauce in unique ways. Try some applesauce mac & cheese or use it in the barbecue sauce for your slow cooker pork.
Conclusion
Applesauce is a great pantry staple. It’s perfect if you’re looking to keep something on hand that won’t go bad for a long time because unopened applesauce can last years.
However, once you pop the lid off, applesauce won’t last very long. You’ll need to refrigerate it just to keep it good for a week.
Fortunately, it’s a really versatile food, so there are lots of great and creative ways to cook with it, so you can use up your whole jar before it spoils.
