Worcestershire sauce is likely one of the most versatile condiments out there on grocery retailer cabinets. That little paper-wrapped bottle is ideal for including savory flavors to stir-fry, stew, and even a Bloody Mary. Nonetheless, it isn’t sometimes a condiment that folks have a tendency to complete abruptly. So chances are you’ll be questioning how lengthy, precisely, Worcestershire sauce lasts within the pantry.

We have the solutions.

What’s Worcestershire sauce?

Worcestershire sauce is an English condiment developed within the early nineteenth century by chemists John Wheeley Lea and William Henry Perrins in Worcester, England, in keeping with Lea & Perrins. The sauce’s complicated taste is all because of its fermentation course of and ingredient mixture, together with malt vinegar, spirit vinegar, molasses, anchovies, tamarind extract, onions, and seasonings.

How lengthy does a bottle of Worcestershire sauce usually final?

As a result of Worcestershire sauce is vinegar-based and sometimes incorporates salt, one other important preservation ingredient, it usually has a protracted shelf life. As Meals & Wine beforehand reported, an unopened jar can often final for as much as 5 years. Nonetheless, the precise length could differ by model, so should you choose up a bottle, examine the producer’s “greatest by” date printed on the label (which generally ranges from 18 months to a few years). 

Based on FoodSafety.gov, it ought to be consumed inside “1 yr if within the pantry from the date of buy.” Nonetheless, keep in mind that this date does not essentially imply it is gone dangerous; as a substitute, it might not style as contemporary or flavorful. DoesItGoBad.com famous that if an “unopened bottle of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce already sits within the pantry for 5 years, in virtually all instances, it will likely be completely high-quality.”

What about an open bottle? 

When you crack open a bottle, issues are inclined to shift a bit extra shortly. Nonetheless, it may possibly nonetheless final for a number of years, in keeping with Eat By Date. The timeline hinges on simply how nicely you comply with good storage practices, together with limiting the bottle’s publicity to warmth, mild, and air, all of which might result in taste degradation and even mildew. So be sure that to retailer that bottle in a cool, darkish place, like a pantry, as quickly as doable. 

Must you put Worcestershire sauce within the fridge? 

This can be a heated level of debate. Once more, as a result of its excessive vinegar and salt content material, you need not refrigerate it, in keeping with WebMD. Many producers, together with Lea & Perrins, even advise in opposition to refrigeration on their packaging.

The consultants at FoodSafety.gov notice that “Refrigeration ensures that industrial sauces and condiments keep contemporary for an extended time period. Shelf-stable industrial sauces are protected when saved at room temperature after opening. High quality, not security, is the rationale the labels on these merchandise counsel that they be refrigerated after opening.” 

The important thing right here is to retailer it correctly in an hermetic container. Normally, the bottles include a screw high cap, making this a simple suggestion to comply with. 

Indicators your Worcestershire has gone dangerous

Whereas it’s uncommon, your Worcestershire sauce (like every meals) can spoil if omitted for too lengthy. Indicators to observe for embody the standard suspects: an odd odor, a change in coloration or texture, or if it merely does not style proper.

One other factor to be cautious of, as defined by DoesItGoBad.com, is that if your Worcestershire sauce got here in a plastic bottle and now seems “puffy.” This means a probable gasoline build-up, and it is time to toss it. And, after all, should you see any mildew, please throw it away. Simply use widespread meals sense, and you will be OK.