Should you keep tomato sauce in the fridge?

Let's tackle one of life's big questions.

You do not need to keep all sauces in the fridge but doing so may extend shelf life and retain flavour.

If yours is anything like most Aussie households, you'll often find your kitchen home to an array of partially used condiments. From tomato sauce and barbecue sauce to sweet chilli, mustard, and mayo, these flavour enhancers often linger in our kitchens. But how long can we keep them?

How long to condiments last?

While the bottle openings might look a bit crusty, many sauces remain usable if stored properly - potentially even lasting until next summer. Here's what you should know:

Acidity and preservation: High-acid condiments like mustard and tomato sauce can be stored in the cupboard but may lose flavour, appearance, and texture over time.
Refrigeration benefits: Most condiments don't strictly require refrigeration, but cold storage significantly extends their shelf life.
Savoury vs. sweet: Generally, saltier, savoury sauces last longer than sweeter chutneys. The exception? Dairy-based sauces like mayonnaise and some salad dressings.
Refrigeration Tip: Storing "dead horse" (Aussie slang for tomato sauce), mustard, and mayo in the fridge can double their lifespan.

Expiry dates vs 'Use by' dates

All bottles and jars display either a "use by" or "best before" date, along with recommendations for consumption after opening. But what's the difference?

"Use by" dates indicate when a product may no longer be safe to consume.
"Best before" dates suggest when the product's quality might begin to decline, though it may still be safe to eat.

Shelf life in the fridge

Here's a quick guide to peak quality lifespan for refrigerated condiments:

Tomato sauce and chilli sauce: 6 months
Mayo and salad dressings: up to 2 months
Barbecue sauce: 4 months
Mustard: 12 months
Chutney: 1 to 2 months
Horseradish: 3 to 4 months
Pickles and olives: 2 weeks
Worcestershire sauce: 12 months
Jams: 6 months

Some sauces, like chilli sauce, can last for longer than others.

Use your scent sense...

Many condiments may last even longer before they start growing fur and talking back to you, while others may not stay fresh for as long as they should. Just like those early GPS users who blindly followed poor directions and drove into ponds, you should use some common sense and not just the expiry date when deciding whether that crusty-looking mayo is going to be OK in your egg salad sandwich. Keep your sauce sense switched on and look out for unusual colours, textures, or smells before consuming.

By following these guidelines, you can make the most of your condiments and reduce food waste.

If the problem's your fridge, not the sauce...

Appliances Online has hundreds of fridges of all sizes in stock and ready for Free, Next Day Dellivery*. From top mount and bottom mount to family-friendly French door models, there's a fridge of every size and style to suit all budgets.

With Price Match Guarantee and even paid Same Day Delivery available for fridges ordered before midday for delivery to metro areas, the contents of your old broken fridge won't even have time to go spoil before your new one arrives. For tips on buying a new fridge, read our Fridge Buying Guide and if you have any questions feel free to call us 24/7 on 1300 000 500 or message us via the chat icon at the bottom of your screen.

Keri Algar

A self-confessed lazy-bones, Keri seeks out quirky technology that eases the human workload. Her favourite household appliances are robotic vacuum cleaners and fridges that tell your smartphone when it's time to pick up more beer on the way home. Magic.