How Long Does Applesauce Last?
Opened applesauce lasts 7–10 days in the fridge. Unopened jars and cups keep 12–18 months in the pantry. Homemade applesauce lasts 5–7 days refrigerated or 8–12 months frozen.
Applesauce — opened
shelf life- Unopened: 12–18 months in the pantry
- Homemade: 5–7 days in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Applesauce is cooked, pureed apples, sold shelf-stable in jars, cups and pouches that have been heat-sealed. Its natural acidity makes it a high-acid food that keeps well unopened. Once the seal is broken, airborne mold and yeast get in, and the sauce needs refrigeration like any opened fruit product.
How to store applesauce
- Spoon applesauce out of the jar into a bowl with a clean spoon rather than eating or feeding a child from the jar, since saliva introduces bacteria that shorten its life.
- Refrigerate the jar promptly after each use with the lid screwed on tight, and write the opening date on the lid.
- Treat a pouch that a child has sucked on as a single serving: finish it within the hour or throw it away.
- Freeze homemade or leftover applesauce in freezer containers with about half an inch of headspace, or in ice cube trays for baking-sized portions.
How to tell if applesauce has gone bad
- Spots of white, green or blue mold on the surface or under the rim of the lid; discard the whole jar, not just the top layer.
- A fermented, yeasty or alcohol-like smell, or a fizzy taste.
- An unopened jar whose safety button has popped up, a lid that bulges, or a swollen cup or pouch.
- Bubbles rising through the sauce or a lid that hisses with pressure when opened.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Applesauce shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | 7–10 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Unopened | Not recommended | Not recommended | 12–18 months |
| No need to refrigerate sealed shelf-stable jars, cups or pouches; chilling before serving is fine. | |||
| Homemade | 5–7 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Applies to sauce that has not been properly water-bath canned. | |||
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
How long does applesauce last after opening?
Opened applesauce lasts 7–10 days in the fridge with the lid on tight. Unsweetened sauce and sauce without preservatives tend toward the shorter end. If you will not finish a large jar in that time, freeze part of it on the day you open it.
Does unopened applesauce need to be refrigerated?
No. Shelf-stable applesauce in sealed jars, cups and pouches is stored in the pantry and keeps 12–18 months at best quality. Refrigerate it only after opening. The exception is applesauce sold from the refrigerated case, which should stay refrigerated.
Is applesauce safe to eat after the expiration date?
Unopened, usually yes. The date on shelf-stable applesauce is a quality date, and an undamaged, properly stored jar is generally fine for some months past it, though color and flavor fade. Do not eat it if the lid is bulging, the seal is broken, or it spurts, smells fermented or shows mold.
Can you scrape mold off applesauce and eat the rest?
No. Applesauce is soft and moist, so mold threads and any toxins they produce can spread well below the visible spot. USDA advises discarding soft, high-moisture foods with mold. Throw out the whole jar.
Can you freeze applesauce?
Yes. Applesauce freezes well for 8–12 months at best quality. Leave headspace for expansion and thaw it in the fridge. It may separate slightly; stirring brings it back together. Do not freeze it in the original glass jar, which can crack.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apples Whole |
4–6 weeks | Not recommended | 1–3 weeks |
| Apple Juice Opened |
7–10 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Canned Fruit Unopened |
Not recommended | Not recommended | 12–18 months |
| Baby Food Pouches Opened |
1 day | 1–2 months | Not safe |
| Pears Ripe |
3–5 days | Not recommended | 1–2 days |
| Jam & Jelly Opened |
6 months | Not recommended | Not recommended |
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.