How long does applesauce last?

FoodKeeper gives applesauce 12 to 18 months unopened, as a guide to quality. Once opened, that's 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator.

How to store it

Keep jars in a cool, dark pantry. Once opened, it needs the refrigerator: FoodKeeper doesn't recommend keeping it at room temperature.

USDA says temperatures below 85°F are best, and to avoid anywhere above or beside the stove, under the sink, or in a damp garage or basement. Once it's open, follow any storage instruction on the label.

What to look for

Throw it out if you see mold, or if it's bubbling or smells fermented. A lid that's loose or bulging before you open it means the jar's seal has failed.

Don't use food from a cracked jar, or a jar with a loose or bulging lid. Don't taste it to check.

Worth knowing

The refrigerator time is long for an opened fruit product, at 7 to 10 days, but it's still far shorter than the jar's life on the shelf.

Similar foods

From preppantry.app. Checked 2 November 2026. Independent tool, not official advice.

How it works

FoodKeeper is USDA's food storage database. Its figures are guides to quality for food stored at cool room temperature, not safety cut-offs, and we show them as USDA gives them. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase. Opened times start when you open the pack.

Where FoodKeeper gives no figure, we say so instead of guessing. The date printed on a package is the manufacturer's, and it's about quality except on infant formula.

Common questions

How long does applesauce last unopened?

12 to 18 months, according to USDA FoodKeeper, as a guide to best quality. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase.

How long does applesauce keep once opened?

FoodKeeper doesn't recommend keeping this at room temperature once opened. 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator.

Does applesauce go bad after the date on the package?

USDA says dates are about quality, except on infant formula. A product should still be safe if handled properly until spoilage shows, so check for an off smell, taste or texture.

What should I look for before using applesauce?