So you went to the farmer’s market and picked up a few horseradish roots. They’re still fresh, and the price was reasonable, but you’re not sure how long they’ll be good for. That raises the question of whether horseradish may spoil.
Alternatively, you may have purchased prepared horseradish or horseradish sauce some time ago and it is still sitting in your cabinet.
It’s already getting close to the expiration date on the label, and you’re wondering if you can still use it and for how long until it goes bad.
In the event that any of the questions listed above have ever occurred to you and you would like to know the answers, this article is for you. In it, we discuss the storage, shelf life, and deterioration of horseradish root and horseradish sauce, as well as their use in cooking. Continue reading if you’re interested.
Does Horseradish Expire? Yes, the official expiration date for commercially prepared and bottled horseradish is 3-6 months after the date of purchase. The bottled material loses its power rather rapidly after it has been opened.
Shelf Life of Horseradish Root
Fresh roots can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a month, maybe even two months. It all relies on how and for how long it was stored prior to being purchased by you. As is often the case with vegetables, it can begin to decay much early.
Shelf Life of Horseradish Sauce
Everything about horseradish sauce is very similar to how mustard, ketchup, and wasabi are used in cooking. Typically, it will have a best-by date printed on the label. That date tells you how long it is intended to be good for in terms of freshness.
Of course, it’s not like the food will spoil the next day or anything like that.
In general, it should be safe to consume and of acceptable quality for at least a few months after the expiration date of the product.
Once the sauce has been opened, the quality of the sauce gradually deteriorates. Make an effort to finish the bottle within 1 to 2 months to ensure the greatest quality. It goes without saying that the quality of horseradish sauce is dependent on the ingredients used and whether or not preservatives are included.
How To Tell If Horseradish Is Bad
It’s rather simple to determine whether or not your fresh horseradish root has gone bad. If there is mold, it should be thrown away. If it feels soft and mushy, or if it smells odd, do the same thing.
If it has a few little black spots on it, you can remove them with a sharp knife. Large black spots, on the other hand, are a sure sign that the vegetable has passed its prime and should be discarded.
And last, but certainly not least, if you see that the root is becoming softer, it’s pretty much now or never when it comes to utilizing it.
It is the same technique for evaluating if bottled prepared horseradish is safe to use as it is for other sauces when it comes to determining if it is safe to use. First and foremost, search for mold or discolorations on the surface of the object. The second step is to take a whiff of the product.
Odd or off-smelling characteristics are all indications that the product should be thrown away.
How To Store Horseradish
1. Storing Fresh Horseradish Roots
Let’s start with some freshly harvested horseradish roots. You may keep them in the same way that you would preserve many other vegetables, such as kale. That means you should store them in the refrigerator, either wrapped or in a bag, and probably in the vegetable drawer as well.
Make sure the bag or wrap has a few holes in it to allow for airflow to pass through it.
For the same reason, you should pack them as lightly as possible. If you decide to leave the roots out at ambient temperature instead of refrigerating them, they will decay considerably more quickly.
It is not necessary to refrigerate them if you intend to utilize them all within a few days of purchasing them.
2. Storing Horseradish Sauce
When it comes to professionally prepared horseradish in a bottle, it should be stored in the same manner as other sauces and condiments such as mustard or mayonnaise. That implies that as long as it remains unopened, it should be stored in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Ideally, a pantry would be the ideal option, but a kitchen cabinet might also work.
Once you’ve opened the container, make sure to keep the horseradish sauce well wrapped in the refrigerator.
As with other sauces, if you’re scooping prepared horseradish from the bottle, make sure to use clean utensils and avoid dipping your fingers twice. By doing so, you reduce the likelihood of microbial contamination, which could result in the product going bad before it should have.