Chilli sauce is a very popular condiment for anyone who likes to add spice to their dishes! You can find so many varieties of chilli sauce in the supermarkets, but you can also make a very easy chilli sauce at home.
Whether you have bought in bulk from the store or have made a large batch of chilli sauce yourself, you are going to want to know of an effective way to store leftovers.
Can You Freeze Chilli Sauce?
Yes, you can freeze chilli sauce for up to 8 months. You can freeze chilli sauce that has been bought in the store or made at home, and it is relatively hassle-free!
Do Does Chilli Sauce freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Chilli Sauce? No
How to Freeze Chilli Sauce
Making your own chilli sauce is so easy to do and you can also tailor it to be just as spicy and aromatic as you like it to be.
Many recipes will scale for you to make large batches, so if you do end up with quite a lot, you may want to freeze portions for later use. Follow the steps below for easy-to-store chilli sauce:
- Cook and Make Chilli Sauce
Make your chilli sauce according to your favourite recipe (this one is simple and delicious). - Allow to Cool
It is essential that you allow your chilli sauce to cool fully before you freeze it. Placing anything warm into a freezer will cause the temperature to drop and could affect other foods.Ā - Portion Out
Portion your chilli sauce into smaller, individual portions. This will prevent any food waste.Ā - Scoop Into Containers or Bags
Now you can spoon your portions of chilli sauce into sturdy, freezer-safe containers. Seal the lid tightly, making sure the containers are airtight. You can also use ziplock bags, though be sure to squeeze out any air. - Label
Write on the containers or on labels what is inside and the date of freezing for future reference.Ā - Freeze
Place the containers or bags of sauce into the freezer and store for between 6-8 months.
3 Tips for Freezing Chilli Sauce
Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing chilli sauce to have the best results:
Lay Bags on a Baking Tray
When filling your ziplock bags with sauce or anything that is very liquid, open the bags and place them open on a baking tray. This will make decanting far easier and less messy!Ā
Beware of the Salt
Some chilli sauces can call for a lot of salt, which will lower the point at which your chilli sauce will freeze.Ā Ā
Do Not Use Glass
Do not use glass jars to freeze your chilli sauce as it may shatter. Some pyrex containers will be fine, but containers such as Mason jars do not freeze well.Ā
How Long Can You Freeze Chilli Sauce?
Chilli sauce that has been homemade will last for a good few months in the freezer, usually between 6-8 months though this may vary based on the ingredients you have used.
You can also freeze shop-bought chilli sauce, but usually these sauces are full of sugar and other preservatives which gives them a very long shelf life. Given this, there may be no real additional benefit to freezing them, but it is possible!
You Can Freeze Chilli Sauce for up to 8 Months
How Do You Defrost Chilli Sauce?
When it comes to thawing your chilli sauce, it depends on what you are going to use it for.
If you are using it as a side condiment, we would recommend taking out a smaller portion of sauce and defrosting it in the fridge overnight. You may need to give it a bit of a stir after it has thawed in case it has separated, but the ingredients should quickly recombine.Ā
If you are going to use your sauce for something more substantial, say a chilli con carne, then you could decant the frozen chilli sauce into a saucepan and gently heat over a low to medium heat until thawed.Ā
Can You Refreeze Chilli Sauce?
Ideally not as the chilli sauce may start to degrade in texture and, more importantly, in flavour.
The ice crystals formed when freezing could cause the sauce to become watery and you will lose some of the iconic kick you should get from a good chilli sauce.Ā
Does Chilli Sauce Freeze Well?
Yes, chilli sauce is a great condiment to freeze as it is easy to make, easy to store and easy to thaw. It will last for a considerable amount of time in the freezer and when you freeze it in smaller portions, you wonāt have to waste any. You can also store any unused thawed chilli sauce in the fridge and it will keep well there as well.Ā
Related FAQs
If youāve still got questions about freezing chilli sauce or chillies in general, then these may help:
Yes, you can freeze sriracha but there’s no point in doing so. Sriracha will keep in the fridge and in the cupboard for months on end so there’s no benefit to freezing it.
Sweet chilli sauce can be frozen for several months but, like many chilli sauces, it will keep in the fridge for several months so it might be a waste using space in the freezer for it.
