Cranberry sauce is entirely delicious and loved because of its tart taste.
As these are eaten so frequently, people store them in their homes.
However, while storing it, people get perplexed about how long they can preserve it and do cranberry sauce go bad.
The sauce is made with cranberry berries which have a limited shelf life.
Therefore there is no doubt that one can only keep the sauce secured for a short span.
So while having old stored cranberry sauce, one must be careful as sour sauce contains bacteria that can make you sick.
What is Cranberry Sauce?
The sauce is made with cranberries after boiling and adding sugar to it.
Then it would be best to wait for it to cool down and develop a texture that can be scooped or sliced.
This has been available in the market since 1941 in canned form.
In the United States, cranberry sauce is eaten on Thanksgiving Day.
At first, the dip was only provided with meat dishes like turkey, duck, fish, and others, but now these are paired with any dish or snack.
People who are allergic to gluten can also have the sauce as it’s gluten-free.
The dip is not only famous because of its taste but also for its nutritional value.
Nothing can beat happiness when one can be healthy by having your favorite things.
One can improve their heart health by having cranberry sauce as this contains vitamin E, fiber, and antioxidants.
The sauce can also help in minimizing your cholesterol as it has unhealthy fats in small amounts.
How Long Does Cranberry Sauce Last? Does Cranberry Sauce Go Bad?
Some people think that cranberry sauce contains so much sugar, so it does not go bad; however, that is incorrect.
That is because a good amount of sugar prevents bacterial growth, but the sauce still goes bad.
Canned cranberry sauce is available in the market, and this will indeed serve you for a more extended period as compared to homemade sauce.
The dip goes bad, but its shelf life is not accurate, as this depends on its type and quality.
Besides this, the way of handling is also an essential factor in extending the shelf life of the dip.
If we talk about the usual shelf life of a canned cranberry sauce, it can last 1 to 2 years.
You can store them in both the pantry and fridge, as storage will not impact their shelf life until pack is unopened.
Storage should be appropriate once the pack is opened because it begins to oxidize after opening.
If refrigerated properly, an open container will only serve you for 7 to 10 days.
On the other hand, one can keep their homemade cranberry sauce for 10 to 14 days in the refrigerator.
Even though you can store the homemade cranberry dip for a period, finishing it as soon as possible is advised.
How to Tell if Cranberry Sauce Has Gone Bad?
- Take a Sniff Test
One can take a sniff test to determine whether the sauce is still safe to use.
That could be an excellent way to identify as fresh cranberry sauce has a sweet and pleasant smell.
However, it will not give off a pleasant aroma if the dip has gone bad because of prolonged or improper storage.
So you can sniff the pack, and if it has a foul odor, you should throw the can out.
- Mold Growth
Another thing one can notice to find sour cranberry sauce is a change in its texture.
You can see that the surface has spots or molds on it.
If you increase the storage period, bacteria will develop in the sauce, which gets converted to molds.
So when anyone sees any white or grey mold on the sauce’s surface, then they must avoid its consumption as it is full of bacterial growth.
- Discoloration
If you keep the sauce inappropriately, then it will also cause alteration in its color.
Initially, the sauce is bright red, but as time passes, the color begins to become darker.
Thus if, after prolonged storage, its color is brown or dark red, then it indicates sour sauce.
So one should immediately discard it as its consumption can cause harm.
How to Store Cranberry Sauce?
- Avoid Storage Near Heat Sources.
When storing it at room temperature, it’s essential to avoid places near heat sources.
That is because heat exposure will increase the sauce’s temperature and increase the risk of bacterial development.
Thus, keeping the pack or container away from direct sunlight and near heated places would be better.
- Airtight Container.
To increase the shelf life of cranberry sauce, one can transfer it to an airtight container.
This is crucial to minimize air exposure as this will cause mold formation.
So one must keep their sauce covered to make it last longer.
Adding a cover will also keep your sauce safe from absorbing the strong smell of other food items.
- Freezing.
At the time of freezing, one has to add chilled sauce to the freezer; otherwise, it will go bad.
So instead of keeping the dip directly from room temperature to freeze, one must refrigerate the pack first.
A similar process should be performed for defrosting as it will help the dip to maintain its quality.
Conclusion
For homemade sauce, the shelf life can vary a lot, as this depends on the condition of the ingredients used in making the sauce.
Using ingredients that are not fresh can reduce the shelf life of cranberry sauce.
You can put the container in a Ziploc bag to avoid air and moisture for freezing.
If the container has openings, you must transfer it to another container or add a plastic wrap to seal the jar.
Otherwise, the jar will get exposed to air as long as you store it and go rancid within a short period.
How Long Does Cranberry Sauce Last? Does it Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Cranberry sauce
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Store your product in an labelled container in a cool, dark place like the pantry or fridge.
- If your food is frozen, allow it to thaw in the fridge before cooking.
- Make sure to look for signs that your food has gone bad before eating it.
Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of AmericasRestaurant.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
Through his website, he aims to inspire and educate fellow food enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive resource for all things food-related.
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