Do Jalapenos Go Bad?: If you love spicy food, then there is a high probability that you must have heard of Jalapenos. They are moderately spicy chilies which are a staple condiment of Mexican Cuisine.
Likewise, if you are planning to explore mouthwatering Mexican cuisine, then you should figure out ways to store jalapenos.
In this article, we will be telling you everything that you need to know about the shelf life, storage techniques, and expiry dates of these infamous chilies.
- Do Jalapenos Go Bad?
- How Long Do Jalapenos Last?
- How To Store Jalapenos?
- How To Tell If Jalapenos Have Gone Bad?
- How To Use Wrinkled Jalapenos?
- What happens if you eat bad jalapenos?
- Do jarred jalapenos go bad?
- Is a jalapeno bad if the seeds are brown?
Do Jalapenos Go Bad?
Unlike other food items that tend to get spoiled pretty fast, chilies are good samaritans that retain their freshness for a long time. But, they are also bound to go bad at some point. It is necessary for you to have an idea about the approximate shelf life of jalapenos before you use them. After all, no one wishes to suffer from the bad consequences of eating expired chilies.
How Long Do Jalapenos Last?
The time periods mentioned below are influenced by a multitude of factors like farming techniques employed, storage conditions in the supermarket from where you bought them, and optimum room temperature. However, if you follow the correct storing strategies, then you can considerably extend the shelf life of jalapenos and even use them beyond expiry dates.
| Type of Jalapenos | At Room Temperature | In The Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Jalapenos | 3-5 days | 1-2 weeks |
| Chopped Jalapenos | 2-3 days | 1 week |
How To Store Jalapenos?
Now that you have spiced up your salsa with jalapenos, it is time to store them away nicely so they can be used in the future as well. You should remember that jalapenos tend to deteriorate faster when they are chopped as compared to unchopped ones. Unless you need them instantly, avoid chopping them in advance.
Let’s see some interesting storing tips which will help you extend the shelf life of jalapenos.
Unchopped Jalapenos
- Take the chilies out of their original packing.
- Wash them up with cold water and place them on the kitchen counter for drying.
- Cover them with paper towels to avoid any unnecessary exposure to dust.
- After they have dried up, place them in an open bowl.
- Store this bowl in the refrigerator instead of the freezer.
Chopped Jalapenos
- Lay the pieces on dry parchment paper.
- Take out the required amount of chilies and pack the rest of them in aluminum foil.
- Place the bundle inside the refrigerator.
- However, if the chopped chilies are older than a week, then consider using the freezer for storing them away.
Have a sneak peek into the article Can You Freeze Jalapenos and know whether you can do so or not in a matter of no time.
How To Tell If Jalapenos Have Gone Bad?
As mentioned earlier, Jalapenos tend to stay fresh for a very long time. Similar to the red chilies, they maintain their flavor profiles even after the expiry dates. However, their true spiciness might get reduced drastically as they age. So, if you wish to prepare ready-to-use chilly powder using the jalapenos, you better do it before they near their expiration.
Here are some tips that will help you identify whether a chilly should be used or discarded.
- If the jalapenos, even the ones stored in the freezer, have a wrinkly appearance, then its means they are not as spicy as before. But if some of them are excessively shrunk, then it’s better to get rid of them.
- Listen to your intuition if you spot “weird” spots on the chilies and just throw them away. These spots can be red, yellow, or brown.
- Lastly, jalapenos release a lot of water and get slimy when they have aged completely. Such slimy chilies are better off in your trash can than in the refrigerator.
Although these are the most common spotted signs of spoiled chilies, some of them may show other funny manifestations too. In such scenarios, just follow your common sense and get rid of the jalapenos. It is better to be safe than sorry.
How To Use Wrinkled Jalapenos?
It is quite normal for jalapenos to get wrinkly over time as they lose moisture. Despite their decreased spiciness, they can be utilized in a variety of recipes. Try including them in your sauces and noodles. They can also be used in curries and patties. Basically, anything that doesn’t require the solid texture of jalapenos will work with crinkled ones. You can also go the old-school way and grind them to make chilly powder for seasoning purposes.
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FAQs on Do Jalapenos Go Bad
1. What happens if you eat bad jalapenos?
Well, jalapenos are edible for at least 2-3 days after their expiration. However, if you end up eating extremely spoiled ones, then your health may get negatively affected. You may develop nausea, vomiting, headache, and stomach ache. Thankfully, these symptoms can be taken care of by consulting a qualified doctor.
2. Do jarred jalapenos go bad?
Jarred jalapenos last longer than fresh and canned ones. You need to ensure that the jarred chilies are dipped in their fermented slimes completely. Unopened jars will last for months inside the refrigerator, whereas opened jars are OK to eat only for 2 months. Once used, keep the leftover jarred jalapenos below 40° F to avoid invasion by pathogens.
3. Is a jalapeno bad if the seeds are brown?
No, absolutely not. Bad seeds simply indicate that the jalapenos have ripened completely. However, remove those brown seeds before you wash, cook, or chop the chilies. Also, you should finish this batch of jalapenos fast, or else they may get moldy soon.
Summary
We hope that this article addressed all your concerns about Jalapenos and their overall shelf life. These chilies are extremely popular all around the globe and also readily available in stores. Given their low Schoville numbers, they can be consumed easily by diverse communities. Stay tuned for more such articles about your favorite foods and drinks. Refer to our other articles on How Long Does Cauliflower Last as well.