Unopened, tomato juice can be kept on the shelf for up to three to six months. It can be kept in the fridge for up to five days after being opened. The shelf life of tomato juice in the supermarket’s refrigerated section is three to five days. Homemade tomato juice lasts for two to three days. You can keep frozen tomato juice for up to eight months.
To begin with, tomato juice is a refreshing drink rich in antioxidants including lycopene. It will eventually spoil, just like other juices made from fruit or vegetables.
Commercially prepared tomato juicecan usually last for about seven days if it is kept refrigerated.
There are many factors that can affect the shelf life of your juice. Always check before drinking to make sure it is still fresh.
Get to the Refrigerator
Tomato juice can be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit for up to seven days after it is opened. You should not leave the juice in the fridge for longer than 2 hours as temperatures above 40 F can cause spoilage.
You can keep your tomato juice open for up to a week by freezing it at 0 F. Leave at least 1/2 inch space at the top so that the juice expands when frozen. A 0-F freezer can keep tomato juice fresh for up to one year.
When Good Juice Turns Bad
Give your tomato juice a sniff before you drink it. Throw it out if the juice is sour, or if the normal reddish color appears yellowish. Spoilt juice can also be identified by visible signs of mold.
Tomato juice can also ferment over time due to harmful spoilage microorganisms feeding on it. This gives it an alcohol-and vinegar-like smell.
The gases produced by these microorganisms cause the container to expand and eventually burst. A swollen container of tomato juice is not good because it could be fermented and therefore unsuitable for consumption.
Don’t Pass on Pasteurization
Most tomato juices that are commercially produced are pasteurized. Those that are not are often labeled so. Ask the seller selling your tomato juice if you’re not sure.
Pasteurization involves heating the juice to 185 F to kill any pathogens such as Salmonella spp. or Escherichiacoli. This not only prolongs the juice’s shelf life when it isn’t opened or opened, but also prevents foodborne illnesses.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that unpasteurized juices can only last a few days after being opened. They are not recommended for pregnant women or people with compromised immune systems.
Tomato Juice Spoilage
Throw away any tomato juice that shows signs of spoilage. Although tomato juice that has not been opened can be stored for several weeks or even months, it will eventually spoil if it is exposed to air.
If you consume spoiled juice, you could become very sick from mold and other harmful spoilage microorganisms. The juice also tastes terrible.
Only use fresh, unblemished tomatoes when making tomato juice at home. Even though tomatoes and tomato juice is high in acid, commercially prepared juice often contains vitamin C to preserve the juice. However, spoilage microorganisms may grow in the juice even if it’s refrigerated.
Vegetable juices are low calories and sugar and high in nutrients like vitamin C and beta-carotene. You may enjoy making your own juice from tomatoes and other tasty vegetables, to limit the amount of added sugar and salt.
Fresh tomato juice which is not pasteurized has a shorter shelf life than canned and bottled tomato juice. It is possible to avoid unfortunate drinking by knowing how to tell when your fresh tomato juice has gone bad.
Fresh Tomato Juice Shelf Life
Fresh tomato juice should not be stored for more than 24 hours to get the best flavor. You can store extra juice in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours at 40° Fahrenheit. To ensure that the temperature is low enough, use a refrigerator thermometer. This will protect all your food and fresh tomato juice. You can freeze extra juice if you have enough to make it last for a few days. You can store fresh tomato juice in the freezer up to six months. However, you should consume your juice within 24 hours after it has been thawed.
How to tell if your juice has been spoiled?
There are several ways to tell if your juice has not been made in 24 hours. Look first for any discoloration. It’s possible that your juice is spoiled. You should throw out any moldy juice. Your juice may have a sour smell, which could also indicate that it has turned.
Your juice may smell like vinegar or alcohol and should not be consumed. A sip of the juice may help you determine if it is fermented. You can get sick, so be cautious. If in doubt, just throw it out.
How long does tomato juice last in the freezer?
If you store tomato juice in the freezer, it will last longer than homemade. If it is done correctly, tomato juice can last for up to eight months. Since they are frozen, there is no difference between the different types of tomato juice.
How much you want to store is the question. You can thaw smaller portions better and make it easier to re-combine ingredients in the event of them separating. You can freeze them using ice cube tray before placing the tomato cubes into a sealed freezer-safe container.
When you freeze tomato juice, make sure to note the date and what you are freezing. This will eliminate any confusion and help you decide if it’s worth keeping.
Although tomato juice can last a while, it will not last forever. It could have been damaged in the can or left out too long. To ensure that the juice is not going to spoil, you should always check it.
How To Store Tomato Juice?
Storing tomato juice in the best place will increase its longevity. Let’s look at some other ways to store it.
After using the container, make sure it is sealed tightly and stored in the refrigerator. If the container does not have a sealable lid, it can be placed in an airtight container with the lid.
Keep tomato juice out of reach of any funky or smelly food in the refrigerator and freezer. Do you know the famous properties of tomato juice to eliminate skunk smells from your food? The smells that tomato juice absorbs can affect its taste.
For best results, frozen tomato juice must be kept at a temperature of zero degrees Fahrenheit or about -17 degrees Celsius.
When you are done using the container, make sure to seal it tightly. It is common sense that tomato juice not properly sealed will spoil faster than if it was. The juice should be used as little as possible to limit exposure to contaminants and air.
Can You Freeze Tomato Juice?
Are you unable to use leftover tomato juice within a week? Tomato juice can be frozen, but only with some preparation.
You can freeze tomato juice in a freezer-safe container or bag. To avoid freezer burns or cracks, any other container must also be lined with freezer-safe material such as freezer paper or freezer foil.
Allow juice to expand in the container when it freezes. A maximum expansion of 1 inch to 2 inches is possible depending on the size of your container.
The texture of the frozen product changes slightly, most notably in homemade tomato juice as the ingredients settle. This should be eliminated by stirring the thawed products.
Keep the tomato juice in the back freezer. The tomato juice will last longer if it is kept away from light and heat, as I mentioned about the fridge.
How to Thaw Tomato Juice?
You can thaw frozen tomato juice when you are ready to eat it or use it. It depends on how fast you need it.
The slowest way to thaw tomato liquid is the best. It is best to take it out of the freezer, and then put it in the fridge for at least a few hours.
You can also run the container under cold running water until the juice is melted enough that it becomes liquid.
Related Questions: How long does tomato juice last in the fridge?
How to Keep Your Juice Safe?
Proper preparation is just as important to preserve your fresh tomato juice. Fresh tomatoes should be free from bruising, cuts, and mold within three days after purchase. To wash the tomatoes, use hot soapy water or a sanitizing mixture of 1 teaspoon chlorine bleach in 1 1/2 quarts of water or 1 cup white vinegar in 3 cups of water. After that, scrub them and rinse them under running water.
Will drinking spoiled juice make me sick?
If you drink spoiled orange juice, the tiny microorganisms found in it can cause you to become sick. According to Ohio State University medical experts, you might experience nausea, vomiting and stomach upset if you drink spoiled orange juice.
There are other symptoms that can be caused by microorganisms, including difficulty in breathing or dizziness.
Even if the juice seems fine, pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems should not consume it.
Does freezing tomato juice alter the flavor?
According to some reports, tomatoes can be affected by freezing. However, this is only true when tomatoes aren’t at their best. I haven’t been able find any information on tomato juice being affected in this manner. So, in my opinion, the answer is obviously No.
Wrapping up
How long does tomato juice last in the fridge?
These dates aren’t definitive. It might keep tomato juice safe for longer than the dates mentioned. However, there is no doubt that the tomato juice will last a long time if it is stored properly. And if you are careful about the safe storage of your juice, you will not have to worry about any health hazards that can occur from drinking bad juice.
