GO! Pesto™ - How Long Pesto Lasts in the Fridge (2024)

FAQs

GO! Pesto™ - How Long Pesto Lasts in the Fridge? ›

Does pesto go bad? Unfortunately, yes. Since it's made from fresh and perishable ingredients such as basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and pine nuts, it will only last for a short period of time in the fridge. But with proper storage, pesto can last in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Does pesto go bad? Unfortunately, yes. Since it's made from fresh and perishable ingredients such as basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and pine nuts, it will only last for a short period of time in the fridge. But with proper storage, pesto can last in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Once opened, a jar of pesto lasts in the fridge for three days without any dramatic loss of quality. It will be perfectly safe for another two days, but leave it any longer, and its quality will decline to the point that it will no longer be enjoyable to eat.

I've just stirred it through my pasta now and ate some before looking at the jar and realising it says “Keep Refrigerated and consume within 4 weeks of opening”.

When it comes to reheating a pesto pasta dish, though, it's perfectly safe, provided it has been refrigerated and is no more than two days old. The taste and texture just won't be quite as good as when they were fresh.

Homemade basil pesto sauce freezes incredibly well. Simply make the recipe as instructed, then seal the pesto in an airtight container or freezer bag. Alternately, spoon the homemade pesto into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Once hardened, transfer the pesto cubes to a freezer bag.

Almost all the jarred pestos you find in the supermarket will have been pasteurised to not only ensure that they can last a long time unopened, but so they are perfectly safe to eat straight from the jar. There is no need to heat pesto, although too many people do.

Consuming pesto past its expiration date can lead to adverse effects, such as food poisoning or an unpleasant taste experience. The expiration date is determined based on the quality and safety of the ingredients used in the pesto. Check the packaging for any specific instructions regarding storage and expiration.

You can freeze in small pint-size jars or for single servings for making soups or dressing freeze in ice cube trays. Small ice cube trays work well for small batches of soups or if you tend to need more pesto, freeze in big ice cube trays. Pour the pesto into trays and cover with freezer wrap and place in the freezer.

Because its ingredients include olive oil, nuts, and cheese, pesto can be high in calories and fat. However, the fat is primarily unsaturated and may have heart health benefits. Pesto is also full of antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage.

How long will pesto stay green? ›

The texture and color are wonderful, and the pesto will keep for several days in the refrigerator (but it's best to wait until you're ready to use the pesto before adding the garlic and cheese).

Product Details

More Information: Keep refrigerated. 100% imported Italian basil.

If your pesto has turned brown instead of green, that's another clear sign that it's rancid. And there's always the smell test: it will have a strong sour smell once it turns. But as always, it's better to err on the side of caution and throw the pesto out if you've got any doubts.

Pesto will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you've stored it in the freezer, it will last for 6 months. When you're ready to use frozen pesto, thaw it overnight in the fridge or place the container of pesto in a bowl of warm water for a quicker thawing time.

FAQ: How Long Does Homemade Pesto Last? You can store this basil pesto in a jar or sealable container, then tightly seal and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2–3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Always keep pesto in an airtight container to minimize exposure to air. Shelf-stable pesto, once opened, should be kept refrigerated and usually maintains quality for up to a week. For homemade or fresh refrigerated pesto, aim to use it within 3-4 days.

Pesto Sauce

This fresh and fragrant pasta sauce is served uncooked, so choose a pasta shape that won't overwhelm it. Similar to oil-based sauces, pesto is served best with longer cuts of pasta, like the corkscrew shape of Fusilli. Pesto works best with Bucatini, Capellini, thinner Spaghettini, and Fettuccine.

It's especially great for lazy summertime cooking. I like to dollop it on grilled vegetables, pasta, spaghetti squash, salads, eggs, toasted bread, pizza, sandwiches… you get the idea. With just a few easy steps, it makes anything an instant tasty meal, whether you feel like cooking or not.

While your pesto can safely reside in your pantry until its first use, forgetting to refrigerate it after opening is guaranteed to spoil it long before the five-day mark. It's also best to seal and refrigerate your jar of sauce right after using, as exposure to oxygen can speed up the spoiling process.

Pesto Pasta Meal Prep Storage Instructions

To store, portion into airtight containers and place in the fridge for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months. It's always best to freeze if you know you won't be eating them all straight away. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Can you use pesto months after opening? ›

A sealed jar of pesto will typically last between four and six weeks in your pantry, with the exact "best by" date depending on the brand and type of pesto. But once you crack open a jar of the store-bought sauce, it's best to only keep it around for up to five days in the fridge.

You'll want to be mindful of the sodium content. Some jars have more than 500mg per serving and the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines recommend you eat no more than 2,300mg per day. It would be hard to stay within those guidelines if you get more than 20% of your sodium from pesto.

PESTO SHOULD NEVER BE “COOKED”. If you cook Pesto Sauce, you change the make up of the fresh basil and cause it to turn darker in color. It is best to warm it up and use it at room temperature. If it needs to be thinned out, you can do so by adding a little water, chicken stock, cream or white wine.

For pesto sauces, use about one jar of 5.6-ounce sauce for a 16-ounce package of pasta. The amount of pesto sauce needed for pasta per person would be about . 75 ounces of sauce for each 2 ounce (about 1 cup cooked) serving of pasta.

If, on the other hand, the jar has been opened and left in a fridge for a day or two, it's most likely that the change in colour is simply a result of oxidation.

What are some ways to use pesto sauce? Other than pairing it with pasta, pesto sauce is a great way to add flavoring to soups, dips, or vegetables. Add pesto sauce as a condiment on sandwiches or use it to make compound butter. Finally, adding pesto to scrambled eggs introduces bold flavoring to this simple dish.