How Long Does Tomato Paste Last?
Opened canned tomato paste keeps 5–7 days in the fridge in a covered container, or 2–3 months frozen in spoonfuls. Unopened cans are best within 12–18 months in the pantry.
Tomato Paste — opened
shelf life- Unopened: 12–18 months in the pantry
- Opened, tube: 1 month 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.
Tomato paste is tomatoes cooked down to a thick, acidic concentrate and sold in small cans, tubes or jars. Its acidity and low water content slow spoilage, but most recipes use a spoonful and leave the rest of the can exposed to air, where mold takes hold on the surface within a week or so.
How to store tomato paste
- Freeze what you will not use within a week: drop tablespoon-size dollops on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until firm, then bag them. Each dollop goes straight into a hot pan.
- Scrape leftover paste out of the can into a small glass jar, press plastic wrap onto the surface, and refrigerate it within 2 hours.
- If you rarely finish a can, buy paste in a tube. Squeeze from the bottom, wipe the nozzle and keep it capped in the fridge door.
- Use a clean spoon every time; crumbs and drips carried into the jar are what start mold growing.
How to tell if tomato paste has gone bad
- White, green or black fuzzy mold on the surface or around the rim. Throw out the whole container rather than scraping it off.
- A sour, fermented or alcoholic smell instead of a rich cooked-tomato aroma.
- A can that is swollen, leaking or spurts when opened; discard it without tasting.
- Paste that has dried to a dark brown-black crust is stale and bitter, though darkening alone in the fridge is only oxidation.
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.
Tomato Paste shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | 5–7 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Unopened | Not recommended | Not recommended | 12–18 months |
| Opened, tube | 1 month | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Tubes keep air out, so they last longer than an opened can. Check the label; some brands allow a little longer. | |||
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 tomato paste last in the fridge after opening?
Opened canned tomato paste lasts 5–7 days in the fridge once transferred to a covered container. Paste from a tube lasts longer, around a month, because little air reaches it. If you cook with it only occasionally, freezing the leftovers on the day you open the can avoids the waste.
Can you freeze leftover tomato paste?
Yes, and it is the best way to keep it. Freeze tablespoon portions on a tray or in an ice cube tray, then store them in a freezer bag for 2–3 months at best quality. There is no need to thaw them before adding to a sauce or stew.
Can I scrape the mold off tomato paste and use the rest?
No. USDA advises discarding soft, moist foods that show mold, because mold threads and any toxins can spread below the surface where you cannot see them. With tomato paste the visible spot is only part of the growth. Discard the container and freeze leftovers next time.
Does unopened tomato paste go bad?
Slowly. As a high-acid canned food, tomato paste is best within 12–18 months; after that it darkens and tastes more metallic, though an intact can is usually still safe. Discard any can that is bulging, leaking or rusted along the seams.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canned Tomatoes Unopened |
Not recommended | Not recommended | 12–18 months |
| Pasta Sauce Opened |
4–5 days | 3 months | Not safe |
| Ketchup Opened |
6 months | Not recommended | 1 month |
| Tomatoes Ripe |
5–7 days | 2 months | 3–5 days |
| Salsa Opened |
1 month | 1–2 months | Not safe |
| Chili Homemade |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
More canned vegetables: Canned Beans, Canned Corn, Canned Pumpkin, Canned Vegetables.
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.