# Does hot sauce go bad? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 19, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906 "2008-05-19T22:34:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/1 "2008-05-19T22:34:18Z")
I often buy ingrdients to try in a recipe and use only a little of the bottle, saving the rest for later. I have this bottle of “Firey Louisiana Hot Sauce” that I bought long ago - about 10 years ago, I guess, used a little of, didn’t refrigerate, and hadn’t thought of until coming across an interesting recipe today. Is it bad? Even if it won’t make me sick, has it lost its potency/flavor or has being closed tightly preserved that even after so long? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/2 "2008-05-19T22:48:00Z")
In my experience, hot sauce doesn’t go rancid and doesn’t lose its heat, but it does lose its flavor. For some of the potent watery-consistency ones like Tabasco this wouldn’t be much of a concern, but for the more saucelike ones like Sriracha (aka rooster sauce), they lose some of their color and the other-than-burny flavors. Also the condensation from the fridge tends to thin them out. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/3 "2008-05-19T22:58:31Z")
Crap. I bought some Habenero sauces when I was in Mexico about ten years ago. When I used the green sauce my dogs would not come within 2 feet of a chili bowl. Last year I threw them out because I had them so long. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/4 "2008-05-19T23:01:16Z")
I have a fair size collection of hot sauces, collected over the years. I’ve found that they tend to seperate, as well as lose their distinct flavors. Past about 3 years, chuck it and buy a fresh bottle. Of course, if you can’t use up a bottle in three years, you ain’t tryin’! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/5 "2008-05-19T23:04:57Z")
I’ve found that hot sauces, over time, do in fact lose heat. They just don’t seem to pack the same punch. At any rate, they are chock full of preservatives. I don’t think I’ve ingested a hot sauce that was ten years old, but I doubt it would make you sick. It may be so bland, however, that it wouldn’t be worth eating anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/6 "2008-05-19T23:13:18Z")
When hot sauce goes bad, it becomes all… fresh and minty. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![eldowan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@eldowan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eldowan)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/7 "2008-05-19T23:20:50Z")
I want to say many hot sauces ( I know tabasco) the main ingredienct are peppers, vinegar, and salt. I’m betting that they wouldn’t go _bad_ but maybe just not so tasty, as the above poster has said. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/8 "2008-05-19T23:50:52Z")
IME, if a bottle of Tabasco has been in the fridge for so long that it’s gone from the original bright red that matches the bottle cap to a pale tan, it’s pretty bland. Between the vinegar and salt, there’s really not much worry about spoilage. Something like chili oil, OTOH, can last a long time in the fridge and not lose a significant level of kick. The oil can go rancid if it’s left in a warm area for a long time, but against the capsaicin, it might be difficult to tell. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/9 "2008-05-20T01:26:36Z")
[QUOTE=gotpasswords] IME, if a bottle of Tabasco has been in the fridge for so long that it’s gone from the original bright red that matches the bottle cap to a pale tan, it’s pretty bland. Between the vinegar and salt, there’s really not much worry about spoilage. [/QUOTE] I’ve noticed that Tabasco turns to tan or brown after about a year, even it it’s unopened and kept out of the light, but IME, refrigerating Tabasco ruins it almost immediately. I’m not sure why, but I consume a lot of Tabasco and a bottle accidentally got put in the fridge and it never tasted right again. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/10 "2008-05-20T01:32:04Z")
The taste does go kind of wonky. The high levels of vinegar in the stuff though (acetic acid, really) does seem to keep nasty bugs from growing in it. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/11 "2008-05-20T01:40:35Z")
I have rarely had a bottle of hot sauce _last_ long enough to be in any danger of going bad. Those that do generally were not very good hot sauces. ::pours another 1/4 teaspoon of Blair’s Mega Death onto NY-deli fried egg on roll with bacon and cheddar cheese:: ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/12 "2008-05-20T02:20:26Z")
Many of you have been mentioning keeping hot sauce in the fridge. All my sauces are in the cupboard along with seasonings and spices. Is it best to keep them cold? ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/13 "2008-05-20T02:22:10Z")
If there’s mold in it, it’s gone off. I had a jar of rooster sauce that did that. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/14 "2008-05-20T02:51:43Z")
[QUOTE=AHunter3] I have rarely had a bottle of hot sauce _last_ long enough to be in any danger of going bad. Those that do generally were not very good hot sauces. ::pours another 1/4 teaspoon of Blair’s Mega Death onto NY-deli fried egg on roll with bacon and cheddar cheese:: [/QUOTE] I get 10 or 15 bottles for xmas every year and the same for my BD, which is in May,I always end up buying more to get me by. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/15 "2008-05-20T02:52:11Z")
As said just a bit above, how can you have a bottle of hot sauce that lasts long enough to get bad??? From my life in MSPI/LA, you just ain’t eating right. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/16 "2008-05-20T02:55:23Z")
I had a Tabasco bottle spontaneously explode on a restaurant table next to me. To be fair, it was sitting in the sunlight. Speckled hot sauce _everywhere._ ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/17 "2008-05-20T03:14:44Z")
May I interrupt with a question from the Great White North? what do you folks use hot sauce for? as a condiment? The only thing I use it for is as an ingredient in certain recipes, bloody marys, and so on. But never straight from the bottle onto food - is that common down south? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/18 "2008-05-20T03:16:02Z")
[QUOTE=Northern Piper] May I interrupt with a question from the Great White North? what do you folks use hot sauce for? as a condiment? The only thing I use it for is as an ingredient in certain recipes, bloody marys, and so on. But never straight from the bottle onto food - is that common down south? [/QUOTE] Ever been to Mexico, son? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/19 "2008-05-20T03:24:17Z")
[QUOTE=Northern Piper] May I interrupt with a question from the Great White North? what do you folks use hot sauce for? as a condiment? The only thing I use it for is as an ingredient in certain recipes, bloody marys, and so on. But never straight from the bottle onto food - is that common down south? [/QUOTE] In Lousiana (where I’m originally from), it’s always on the table like ketchup and gets use about as liberally. It’s common to use on eggs in the morning, for instance. I still keep a few varieties of hot sauce on hand and put them on practically anything. ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906/20 "2008-05-20T04:28:52Z")
[QUOTE=Musicat] Ever been to Mexico, son? [/QUOTE] Or to Asia. Hot will raise you there. 😃 (Here in Seattle, they don’t believe in hot sauce. Even the “habanero” sauce at one fine Mexican dining establishment was what I’d call ‘medium’, not ‘shitfire’. But then, I’m SE Asian + Texas raised) I blame the incident of the mold on a suspicious fridge that has since been liberally scrubbed with Clorox. Back to the questions that have been asked – I’ve always kept my condiments in the fridge as my mother does. And when eating home food (read: Asian), the hot sauce gets sprinkled on top or globbed onto the side to dip forkfuls into. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/449906.md?page=2)