Yes. Canned tomatoes last 12–18 months unopened in the pantry. After that, or sooner if stored badly, they spoil: watch for the signs below.
How to tell if canned tomatoes are bad
Smell
Fermented, yeasty or sour beyond the product's usual tang.
Texture
Separation that does not stir back, or a slimy layer.
Colour
Darkening or a change in colour at the top of the jar.
Mould
Any fuzz on the surface or lid — discard the jar.
Canned tomatoes past the expiration date
Unopened
FoodKeeper gives unopened canned tomatoes 12–18 months in the pantry, counted from the day you buy it. "Best-by" and "sell-by" describe quality and stock rotation, not safety; only infant formula carries a federally required use-by date.
Opened
Once opened, the printed date no longer applies. Count 5–7 days in the fridge or not recommended in the pantry from the day you open it.
How to keep canned tomatoes fresh longer
- Canned items will be safe to eat well past the ‘use-by’ or ‘best by’ date as long as the can shows no dents, rust, or swelling.
- Refrigerate after opening unless the label says otherwise.
- Use a clean utensil each time; crumbs and double-dipping shorten shelf life.
Canned tomatoes storage times by method
| Method | Duration | Temperature | Container | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pantry / counter (opened) | Not recommended | 68–72°F | Airtight | cool, dry place |
| Refrigerator (opened) | 5–7 days | ≤ 40°F / 4°C | Airtight | at or below 40°F (4°C) |
| Pantry / counter (unopened) | 12–18 months | 68–72°F | Airtight | cool, dry place |
About canned tomatoes
Canned tomatoes belong to our pantry staples category. USDA FoodKeeper has no separate entry for canned tomatoes. It is covered by “Canned goods (high acid such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)” (high-acid canned food), so this page uses that entry’s storage times. According to USDA FoodKeeper, they keep 5–7 days in the fridge. They are not a high-risk perishable food, so the main concern is quality rather than safety. Where to keep them: the door is the warmest part of the fridge, fine for condiments and drinks that resist spoilage.
Condiments, sauces and canned goods are designed to last: acid, sugar, salt and sealed packaging keep microbes out. Unopened, most keep for months or years in the pantry. Once opened, air, moisture and crumbs from utensils get in, and most need the fridge and have a much shorter window.
Why canned tomatoes go bad
In opened jars, yeasts and moulds are the usual culprits: they show up as fuzz on the surface, fizzing, or a fermented smell. Low-acid canned foods carry a rare but serious risk of Clostridium botulinum if a can is damaged, which is why bulging, leaking or deeply dented cans must be thrown away unopened.
Common canned tomatoes storage mistakes
- Double-dipping or using a dirty knife, which adds crumbs and bacteria.
- Storing opened jars in the pantry when the label says to refrigerate.
- Keeping food in an opened can in the fridge; move it to a covered container.
- Using cans that are bulging, rusted or deeply dented.
How to pick fresh canned tomatoes
- Check cans for bulges, deep dents on the seams and rust.
- Make sure jar lids are sealed and pop when first opened.
- Buy condiment sizes you will finish within the opened window.
Canned tomatoes: use them up in time
- Write the opening date on the lid.
- Use the last of a jar in marinades, dressings or sauces.
- Freeze leftover sauces in ice-cube trays.
Where to store canned tomatoes
The door is the warmest part of the fridge, fine for condiments and drinks that resist spoilage.
Expiration dates, decoded
Most dates printed on canned tomatoes packaging are about quality, not safety. In the US, the only federally required date is the use-by date on infant formula; everything else is chosen by the manufacturer. “Best if used by” tells you when flavour and texture are at their best. “Sell-by” is for the shop's stock rotation and you can store food at home for its normal storage time after it. “Use-by” is the last date the manufacturer recommends for peak quality.
That is why this page counts storage time from the day you buy, cook or open canned tomatoes, rather than from the printed date: 5–7 days in the fridge and not recommended in the pantry. If food has been stored correctly, it can be fine past a best-by date; if it has been stored badly, it can spoil well before it.
Check your canned tomatoes
Nothing ticked? Good sign. Still check how long it has been stored: the bacteria that cause food poisoning are invisible.
Any of these means it has gone bad. Throw it out — don't taste it to check.
Well inside the 12–18 months pantry time for canned tomatoes, as long as it has been kept cool, dry and tightly closed.
Well inside the 12–18 months pantry time for canned tomatoes, as long as it has been kept cool, dry and tightly closed.
Near the end of the 12–18 months pantry time. Check the smell and look before using; quality is starting to fade.
Past the 12–18 months pantry time. Shelf-stable food usually loses quality rather than becoming unsafe: throw it out if you see mould, pests, damp clumps or an off smell.
Past the 12–18 months pantry time. Shelf-stable food usually loses quality rather than becoming unsafe: throw it out if you see mould, pests, damp clumps or an off smell.
True or false? Canned tomatoes myths
- Correct!Not quite.
Partly true. Canned tomatoes are not high-risk, so a little past 5–7 days usually means lower quality, not danger. Check for mould and off smells first.
- Correct!Not quite.
False. Freezing pauses bacteria; it does not kill them. They become active again as the food thaws, so thaw in the fridge and cook or reheat properly.
- Correct!Not quite.
Only partly. FoodKeeper gives no freezer time for canned tomatoes.
- Correct!Not quite.
True. The door is the warmest part of the fridge, but this food resists spoilage well enough to live there.
- Correct!Not quite.
False. Canned tomatoes are shelf-stable: not recommended in a cool, dry place. Refrigerating can extend quality for some foods, but it is not needed for safety.
Canned tomatoes shelf life, answered
How long do canned tomatoes last in the fridge?
5–7 days at 4°C (40°F) or colder (opened). Keep it sealed so it does not pick up moisture or odours.
How long do canned tomatoes last in the freezer?
Not listed. FoodKeeper gives no freezer time for canned tomatoes.
How long do canned tomatoes last at room temperature?
Not recommended in a cool, dry place.
How long do canned tomatoes last after opening?
5–7 days in the fridge, or Not recommended in the pantry once opened. The printed date stops applying the moment you break the seal.
How long do unopened canned tomatoes last?
12–18 months in the pantry, if the seal is intact and it is stored as the label says.
How long is canned tomatoes good for past the expiration date?
FoodKeeper gives unopened canned tomatoes 12–18 months in the pantry, counted from the day you buy it. "Best-by" and "sell-by" describe quality and stock rotation, not safety; only infant formula carries a federally required use-by date.
How can you tell if canned tomatoes are bad?
Fermented, yeasty or sour beyond the product's usual tang. Separation that does not stir back, or a slimy layer. Darkening or a change in colour at the top of the jar.
