Last Updated on October 14, 2022 by
Who doesn’t love adobo sauce, but how long do chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last? Usually, these peppers have a long shelf life, but what do you do with them? Let’s learn more about these peppers, the sauce they are in, and their overall shelf life.
Chipotle peppers are delicious and usually packed with hot and spicy flavors. Adobo sauce uses these chipotle peppers as well as another chili red hot peppers and intensifies the flavor in a thick paste that is turned into a sauce. You can make your own or simply buy a pre-made adobo sauce in your local store.
Table of Contents
What Is Adobo Sauce?
Adobo sauce is a favorite in many Mexican households. Before answering how long do chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last, we need to know what adobo sauce even is! From my knowledge, adobo sauce is a specially made-sauce that utilizes hot peppers.
First, you clean the peppers and take out the insides. Sometimes, you will need to take the seeds out. Although you can eat the seeds and it won’t harm you, not everyone likes this additional flavor in their food. After you clean them, blend the peppers in a large blender until they make a thick paste.
Add seasonings and other vegetables into the blended mixture and blend again. You will be left with a thick sauce. If you do not want to go through this trouble, you can always buy canned chipotle peppers in a pre-made adobo sauce.
What Are Chipotle Peppers?
There are a lot of interesting facts about chipotle peppers that we should know before answering how long chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last. First, chipotle peppers are technically not their variety. Actually, chipotle peppers are long jalapenos that are very ripe and dry.
You see, as jalapeno peppers age and ripen, they start to change color into a deep red or purple. However, it takes more than just waiting for the color to change. When dealing with jalapeno peppers, as they continue to dry out on the plant, they also change into a smoky and almost chocolate-like flavor used in adobo sauce.
When learning how long chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last, it is best to know also about their storage.
How Long Do Chipotle Peppers In Adobo Sauce Last?
When storing chipotle peppers in adobo sauce the right way, they can last over 2+ years! However, when not done correctly, it can be dangerous and cause the growth of mold. Although it is true that chipotle peppers are dry and do not have moisture, the adobo sauce does!
So how long do chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last in the right conditions? That depends on the storage you use!
5 Storage Options
Listed below are five storage options that can help you understand how long do chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last. The range of time completely depends on the storage option used and how long you leave them in the open.
1. Large Dark Container
When looking into how long chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last, it is best to first start by storing them correctly in a large container. Not only should you find a large container, but the cap of this container should tighten and seal out any air.
This is important since any air that comes in can also trap moisture, debris, and mold. It is also important to place them in a dark and cool place with ventilation. While in the open, the light does reduce the spice and flavor of these peppers and the sauce.
2. Canned
Next on the list of how long do chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last in proper storage, in cans! This is probably the easiest method on this list since canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are already labeled lightly with a proper air-tight seal. Usually, these last 3+ years are when they remain closed!
3. Freezer
Did you know that you can increase how long do chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last if you place the adobo peppers in a freezer? This is because the cold air stops the accumulation of wet moisture and bacteria. Place your chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in a large plastic bag. This will be perfect when it is time to defrost.
As tempting as a plastic container is, this will make it harder to defrost.
4. Refrigerator
When looking at how long do chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last, you can also think about using your refrigerator once you open a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Once it is open, always place the leftovers in a container that you can close. It will not entirely be airtight, but that is okay!
In the fridge, these peppers in the sauce will last possibly a week, any longer and you can increase your risk of food poisoning and mold.
5. Room Temperature
Have you ever accidentally left chipotle peppers in adobo sauce at room temperature? If yes, don’t worry! Usually, it is harmless, but still not recommended. When looking at room temperature chipotle peppers in sauce, how long do chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last is very little!
I would only leave this mixture out for no more than eight hours. This is especially true if the peppers and the sauce were uncovered and exposed to large amounts of air. The worry is with the sauce instead of the dried peppers.
Conclusion
I hope you have learned something new about how long do chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last! It is an important question to ask, especially if you have too many cans or have made a lot of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and don’t have the time to cook another meal.
If you have learned anything new and interesting about these peppers and how long do chipotle peppers in adobo sauce last, let us know in the comment section below and feel free to share this blog with friends and family interested in preserving peppers in thick sauces.
FAQs
Can canned chipotle peppers go bad?
Sadly, just like all things, with time canned chipotle peppers can go bad! Thankfully, they do have a long shelf life and as long as you use the cans before the date, you will be ok!
Can you freeze chipotle in adobo?
Yes! I love freezing leftover chipotle in adobo! The best way to rehydrate and defrost this, is to simply run it over warm or hot water.
How do you store leftover chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?
It is absolutely necessary that you store leftover chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in the fridge. However, it should also be in a tight container that does not let air in!
How long does adobo last in fridge?
You can place adobo sauce in the fridge for up to 1 week. However, the flavor and intense heat will start to dullen after a few days. Always check the smell and appearance before using and eating.
Casia is a passionate home cook who loves to share her love of Mexican food with the world. She has been cooking since she was a child, helping her grandmother in the kitchen and learning the traditional techniques used to create delicious Mexican dishes. Casia loves to experiment with new ingredients and flavors, always looking for ways to make her dishes even more flavorful. She is also passionate about teaching others about Mexican cuisine and its rich history. When she is not in the kitchen, Casia enjoys exploring new cultures, traveling, and spending time with her family.