Does sriracha have to be refrigerated? To answer your question on whether or not to keep Sriracha in the refrigerator, keep reading!
This blog article will provide an answer to that question as well as for instructions on how to safely store sriracha.
Sriracha may be kept at room temperature for extended periods of time and can also be stored in the refrigerator, however, this is not necessary.
What Is Sriracha?
Sriracha is a type of chili sauce that originated in Thailand. It is made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt.
Sriracha is often used as a condiment or dipping sauce.
Does Sriracha Have to Be Refrigerated?
The ingredients in the sauce don’t go bad easily, so it’s not necessary to refrigerate sriracha.
Although the sauce may be stored in the fridge for a few months longer, it tends to lose some of its freshness with time.
When it comes to keeping Sriracha in the refrigerator, the answer is controversial.
You may or may not store Sriracha in the refrigerator, as described below:
Reasons Why Sriracha Should Be Refrigerated
1. Light and Air Exposure
Sriracha doesn’t do well with exposure to light or air, so storing it in a dark place is important.
If you’re going to be storing Sriracha for an extended period, we recommend using a dark-colored bottle or container, or you’ll need to refrigerate it.
2. Open Sriracha
Once Sriracha is opened, it can lose its flavor and heat.
If you’re not planning to use an entire bottle of Sriracha at once, we recommend transferring it into a smaller container or putting it in the refrigerator.
Tip: This will help to keep the sauce fresh for longer.
3. Expiring date
Check the production date on the bottle; if the sriracha is close to its expiry date, refrigerate it immediately after opening; otherwise, keep it at room temperature.
Why Sriracha Doesn’t Need to be Refrigerated
1. The Ingredients
Sriracha doesn’t need to be kept in the fridge because its ingredients are resistant to bacterial growth.
Bacteria are what make food unsafe and cause it to go bad. Chili peppers, for example, have been looked at for their antimicrobial properties.
This means that they can stop bad microorganisms from growing.
E. coli and other bacteria that can get into your body through food don’t grow very well in Sriracha and also contain distilled vinegar as a key component.
If Sriracha that hasn’t been refrigerated for months, it won’t make you sick.
But that doesn't guarantee that the flavor or appearance will be identical to what you noticed when you first opened the bottle.
Although Sriracha won’t go bad, each bottle has a date that says when it’s best to use it, “lasered in the bottle’s neck”.
You can keep Sriracha in the fridge if you want it to stay as bright red as possible.
But it won’t stop your Sriracha from going bad. This is already taken care of by the vinegar and chilies.
However, As time goes on, Sriracha ingredients will change color.
Also, chili peppers get hotter as they age, so the bottle might be a little bit hotter in a few months.
Putting Sriracha in the fridge might slow down these things, but if you use it a lot, it’s not necessary. You won’t notice a difference until it’s gone.
2. Room Temperature
When it comes to storing Sriracha, you can keep it at room temperature.
If you’re going to be using the sauce within a few months, then storing it in a cool, dry place is perfectly fine.
Note: However, if you want your Sriracha to last longer, it's best to store it in the fridge.
3. Seal Sriracha
Making sure your Sriracha is sealed tightly is key to keeping it fresh. Ensure the lid is on tight and there’s no air exposure.
If you’re using a plastic bottle, we recommend storing it in a zip-top bag to be extra safe.
With these storage tips in mind, you can be sure that your Sriracha will stay fresh and flavorful for as long as possible, and there will be no need to refrigerate it.
How To Refrigerate Sriracha
Do you have to refrigerate sriracha? If you’re a fan of sriracha, you may be wondering how to best store the sauce.
Here’s a guide on how to refrigerate sriracha. Sriracha can be stored in the fridge in its original container or a sealed jar or container.
If you’re using a jar, make sure to leave some headspace at the top of the jar so that the sauce can expand as it freezes.
Sriracha can be stored in the fridge for up to six months.
When ready to use the sauce, thaw it in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.
Once thawed, sriracha can be kept at room temperature for two weeks.
Give the sauce a good stir before using it, as the flavors may have separated during storage.
How to Make Sriracha Last Longer?
Sriracha won’t last any longer than it already does.
But you can always do the other thing. It’s important to know what you can do to make this sauce last as long as possible and keep better.
First, if you want to use sriracha as a dipping sauce, pour the amount you need into a small bowl.
Put the bottle back where you usually keep it.
The remaining sauce should never be placed back into the bottle since it would be considered a violation of the regulation.
If you do this, there may be bits of food in the sauce.
These will give the sauce hints of other tastes, but they will also make it go bad faster.
You may also preserve the taste of sriracha by keeping the bottle’s tip clean at all times.
When the sauce is left over, it usually gets rough. If you take the dried sauce out of the cap, the dried bits won’t get into the sauce and change the texture.
How To Tell If The Sriracha Has Gone Bad
The acidic vinegar base of most hot sauces and the capsaicin in hot peppers kill bacteria.
So even opened bottles of hot sauce usually last for a long time if they are just put in a cupboard, within reason.
The more the ingredients in a hot sauce, the more likely they will go bad if they are not kept in the fridge.
Here are the signs of spoiled sriracha.
Color Change
If your Sriracha is no longer that bright red hue, it has probably gone bad.
The color change is due to oxidation, which affects the chili peppers’ natural red pigments.
While the sauce may not look appetizing, it should still be safe to consume if there are no other signs of spoilage.
Smell
If your Sriracha doesn’t smell like it used to, it has probably gone bad.
The sauce should have a strong chili pepper smell with a hint of garlic. If it smells weak or off, it’s time to toss it out.
Texture
If your Sriracha is no longer smooth and creamy, it has probably gone bad.
Oxidation can also cause the sauce to thicken and develop a grainy texture.
While it may not look appetizing, it should still be safe to consume if there are no other signs of spoilage.
Taste
If your Sriracha doesn’t taste like it used to, it has probably gone bad.
The sauce should have a strong chili pepper flavor with a hint of garlic. If it tastes weak or off, it’s time to toss it out.
FAQs About Refrigerating Sriracha
Do you have any other questions about do you put sriracha in the fridge?
The following are a few examples of additional questions that are often asked:
Sriracha’s Shelf Life Once It’s Been Opened?
This spicy sauce, like others, has a long shelf life after you open it. If you keep it in the fridge, it will stay good for two years.
Sriracha stays tasty for six to nine months if you keep it in the pantry.
If You Eat Old Sriracha, What Will Happen?
It doesn’t need to be refrigerated after it’s been opened. Putting it in the fridge, on the other hand, keeps it fresh for a much longer time.
As long as the sriracha hasn’t been opened and the package looks fine, it’s probably safe to use.
Why Has Sriracha Been Known to Cause Diarrhea?
TRPV1 receptors in your intestines are activated by capsaicin, which causes your gastrointestinal tract to cramp.
Your gastrointestinal system is stimulated more than usual, causing you to need to urinate more often.
Read Next: Best Substitute For Tomato Sauce In Stuffed Peppers
Final Verdict
Does sriracha have to be refrigerated? Sriracha does not have to be refrigerated, but it will last longer if you refrigerate it.
The sauce will still be fine to use after a month at room temperature, but the flavors will degrade after that.
If you’re a Sriracha fan, it’s worth taking the extra step to store it in the fridge.