shelf life of salsa?

[grasswire]

Okay, the other day my nephew opened a big jar of La Victoria salsa and put it back in the cupboard instead of in the refrigerator. I discovered it today. I'm wondering what the out-of-the-fridge shelf life is. Do I need to toss it?

[Stinky The Clown]

1. When in doubt

throw it out.

That said, if it were me, I'd prolly use it.

[grasswire]

3. I realized that I could put it in tortilla soup or chili or something.

Just hate to toss a whole jar, ya know? I could pour it over chicken breasts and bake it, too. That's the ticket.

[NMDemDist2]

2. if it says "Refrigerate after opening" I'd toss it

I get those huge jugs of salsa at Costco and have lost the bottom of the jug more than once. I now freeze about 2/3rds in two tupperware containers when I first open it

[spindrifter]

4. You mean it makes it to a shelf?

[Warpy]

5. I'd toss it

because it takes bacteria about 8 hours to get going and about 24 hours to get going well enough to alter the food. There is enough low acid stuff in salsa that the bugs do eat it.

In other words, if you discover it on a counter after 4 hours or so at room temperature, refrigerate it and then use it up ASAP. If it's been left out overnight, it's on the line. If you've discovered it in a cupboard a day later, toss it.

Other foods that are low acid and heavy in protein should be tossed a lot quicker.

[laheina]

7. Low acid, high protein foods will compel you

to throw them away. It doesn't take that stuff long to get stinky.

[jeanarrett]

6. Don't feel bad--my 10-year old opened a brand new

BIG jar of Hellman's mayonnaise and then put it back in the cupboard. I found it about a week later--arrghh! I would probably eat the salsa though.