Do you know if tomato paste can go bad? Is there a way to prevent it? Does it help? You crack open a can of tomato paste, measure out just how much you will need for the dish you are making, and then store the remaining paste in the refrigerator. And you make a pact with yourself that you will use the remainder of it later in the week. After a week or two has passed, you happen to find the tomato paste can that you only partially opened and wonder: does tomato paste go bad? As much as the next person does, I have had the unfortunate experience of having to toss out unfinished tomato paste. Because of this, I decided to acquire some knowledge regarding the storage, shelf life, and expiration of tomato paste. Along the road, I picked up a few helpful tips, and I'm glad to be able to share them with you now. Continue reading if you think that could be interesting. 
How Should Tomato Paste Be Stored? Cans, glass jars, or tubes are the most common packaging options for tomato paste. Tubes are another common option. When it comes to the criteria for storage, each one is, for the most part, the same as the other. As long as the container has not been opened, it should be stored in a place that is cold, dry, and away from any sources of heat. Also, if the container is made of glass, keep in mind that it must not be left in direct sunlight. The most logical location for storing tomato paste is either the kitchen cabinet or the pantry. Just make sure that the oven or a radiator is not located close to the cupboard or shelf. Once the jar of tomato paste has been opened, it should be stored in the refrigerator with a secure lid and kept there while it is not being used. Can present more of a challenge when it comes to achieving a watertight seal than do glass jars or tubes. Cling wrap, a plastic bag, and a rubber band are all options for a secure closure for them. You might also place the leftover paste in a jar made of glass or another airtight container. 
A useful piece of advice is to use a jar or container if at all possible. These alternatives generate a lower amount of waste in comparison to using plastic wrap or bags made of plastic. Tomato paste does not have a very long shelf life, as you are probably already aware. We are fortunate that with only a little bit of additional effort, its shelf life can be extended by several months. Could you put tomato paste in the freezer? There's no question that you can also freeze tomato paste. The disadvantage is that the paste's quality suffers a little decline as soon as it is removed from the freezer. The good news is that tomato paste is typically used in cooked foods, which means that the subtle shift in flavor is scarcely perceptible. The remaining paste can be placed in a container that is safe for the freezer, and then it can be placed in the freezer. However, there is a better way to do this. The next step is to freeze the mixture in ice cube trays. Freezing food in ice cube trays is a simple process that requires little effort and minimal cleanup afterward. This is the procedure to follow: The paste should be transferred into the tray. Place the tray in the freezer and let it stay there for a few hours, or until the ice cubes have completely solidified. 
Take the tray out of the freezer, and place the cubes in a bag that can be frozen. If you want, you can put a label on it with your name and the date on it. Place the freezer bag inside the refrigerator or freezer. Isn't it clear-cut? After completing the procedure, the only thing left to do is clean the ice cube trays, which doesn't take very long at all. Taking this path has two distinct upsides: You can take out as much of it from the freezer as you need without having to completely thaw it. It is not always necessary to defrost the paste before using it in a recipe that calls for it to be cooked on the stove. TIP: You can always use a muffin tray in place of the ice cube trays if the ice cube trays are too tiny. How Long Is the Shelf Life of Tomato Paste? There is a "best-by" date printed on the jar of every variety of tomato paste. The unopened jar of paste, similar to other condiments such as barbecue sauce, has a shelf life that is easily several months beyond the date printed on the label. 
If you keep it for a very long period, the quality may not be as good as it was when you first bought it, but as long as the container wasn't tainted in some way, you should be fine to consume the paste. Once you've broken the seal on the jar, the length of time that the paste will remain usable varies greatly from one container to the next. If it has been properly sealed, tomato paste from a can will remain edible for around 5 to 7 days after being stored in the refrigerator. Tomato paste stored in a glass jar typically maintains its freshness for an additional day or two after opening. However, neither of these times is particularly remarkable, and if you require the paste to be effective for a longer period, you have two choices. The first step is to put it in the freezer (use the method I described above). The second option is to purchase containers of tomato paste. Tomato paste jars can be opened and yet maintain their high quality for a considerable amount of time, often around forty-five days. What Are the Signs That the Tomato Paste Has Gone Bad? The development of mold is most likely the most noticeable indicator when tomato paste has gone bad. Throw away the container if there is any mold present in any part of it. 
WARNING Mold may also be present if there are any apparent discolorations on the surface of the paste. In that case, getting rid of it is also the best course of action. Another common indicator that the paste has gone bad is an unpleasant smell. Even if the paste starts to become runny, it is generally still safe to consume; nonetheless, it is usually best to throw it away. It is not going to have a very good taste, and you do not want to ruin an already delicious spaghetti dish with meatballs by adding tomato paste that is unpleasant to eat. If there are no obvious problems, you should be able to consume the paste without any concerns. Give it a taste to see whether or not it is still suitable for use in the recipe you are working on.
