How long does Worcestershire sauce last?

Worcestershire sauce is one of the most versatile sauces on the market. It’s added to meats, soups, veggies, pasta and even some drinks like Bloody Mary. Even though it has a lot of uses, it may still take a few months to use the contents of an entire bottle. That begs the questions like “how long does Worcestershire sauce last?” or “does Worcestershire sauce go bad?”. In this article we’ll go through storing, shelf life, and going bad of this vinegar-based sauce. If you’re unsure about any of these, read on.

Brother Worcestershire Sauce
Photo by halfrain on Flickr.

How to store Worcestershire sauce?

Worcestershire sauce should be stored in a relatively cool and dark place. The pantry is the best option, but a kitchen cupboard will work too. Once the bottle is opened it still can be stored in the pantry or kitchen cupboard. Some sources might suggest keeping it in the fridge, but that’s not necessary. Unless, of course, you decide to keep it in the fridge just to remind yourself that it’s opened.

Worcestershire sauce is just fine stored in almost any conditions because it’s a vinegar-based sauce and vinegar is a great preservative. Just make sure the bottle is sealed tightly when not in use.

How long does Worcestershire sauce last?

This question is a tough one. This sauce usually comes with a “best by” date, but as you know that date is only an indicator of how long the sauce will be at peak quality. How long will it last after the “best by” date? At least a few (3-5) years, if not more. If the bottle is intact and sealed tightly, the sauce should be safe to eat even 7 or 10 years after that date. Once the bottle is opened things don’t change that much. It can still sit in the cupboard for at least a few (2-4) years and be perfectly safe to use.

Shredded chicken worcestershire sauce
Photo by Michael Salazar on Flickr.

How to tell if Worcestershire sauce is bad?

Chances of Worcestershire sauce going bad are minimal. Nevertheless, it doesn’t take long to look at the sauce, smell it and maybe taste a bit. If it smells funny or odd, discard it. Same thing if there are signs of mold. Last but not least, if it tastes bad, throw it away as well. Again, chances of that happening are really slim and in most cases the sauce will be just fine even years after the “best by” or “sell by” date.

Is Worcestershire sauce safe to use after “expiration” date?

As already mentioned, Worcestershire sauce comes with a “best by” or “sell by” date, both of which aren’t expiration dates. The sauce has a very long shelf life, so in almost any case it will be perfectly safe to use even a few years after the date on the label. Check out shelf life info to learn more.

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