Chick-fil-A sauce has always been a massive hit with many clients since they released their nickname sauce in 2014. Their chicken sandwich is incomparable. But we can all agree that their signature sauce available in both their restaurants and local stores has made them a national hero.
Customers openly admit to taking a couple of Chick-fil-A sauces with them every time they dine at a Chick-fil-A restaurant.
But now that you have many Chick-fil-A sauces in your possession, it is time to inquire. Does Chick-fil-A sauce have an expiration date? This article will answer your question plus everything to know about Chick-fil-A sauces…
Does Chick-fil-A Sauce Expire?
Yes, Chick-fil-A sauces expire. Individual Chick-fil-A packets last 7-14 days while bottled sauces have a ‘best-before-90-days’ label on them. Properly storing the sauce has a huge impact on its shelf life.
To learn all about Chick-fil-A sauces, keep reading…
You may wish for your Chick-fil-A sauce to last forever. Sadly, it cannot. Like any other packaged food, the sauce has a limited shelf life. This could be because of ingredients such as fat content, sodium, and lipids used in making the sauce.
If not stored correctly, these compounds can degrade over time, reducing the original state taste of the sauce after a certain period and losing some of its authentic flavors.
Chick-fil-A bottled sauce has a ‘best-before-90-days’ date on it. You can look for it on the product packaging. Individual packets of this sauce may only last 7-14 days.
However, how the sauce is stored has a significant impact on how long it will last. Some of the most well-known Chick-fil-A dipping sauces are:
- Polynesian Sauce
- Zesty Buffalo Sauce
- Garden Herb Ranch Sauce
- Honey Mustard Sauce
- Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce
- Barbeque Sauce
- Sriracha Sauce
- Chick-fil-A sauce
Does Chick-fil-A Sauce Need To Be Refrigerated?
You can keep all Chick-fil-A sauces away from direct sunlight at room temperature. However, you can keep the remaining in the fridge after using them. When stored in this way, they usually last much longer.
On the other hand, the individual packets of Chick-Fil-A sauce are not refrigerated when purchased in restaurants. This could explain why the individual packets only last a few days.
How Long Does Chick-fil-A Sauce Last In The Fridge?
If you bring home a tiny tub of unopened Chick-fil-A sauce, it will be fresh in the fridge for three days, but the bottled sauce can last for 3-4 months.
Even though these sauces are ideal before a specific date, it does not mean you should discard them right away.
You can often use the sauces a few days after the best by date as long as the creaminess or authenticity has not changed, but you should stop using the sauce if the flavor has changed.
Does The Chick-fil-A Polynesian Sauce Have An Expiration Date?
Customers at Chick-fil-a prefer Polynesian sauce the most. Understandably, many people are concerned about whether it can last forever. The Polynesian sauce has a limited lifespan, just like the rest of the sauces.
It can stay for about three months at the most. The best before date is always on the individual packets, but you can purchase an 8oz sauce container at local stores like Walmart, usually around $2.
How Long Does Chick-fil-A Buffalo Sauce Last?
You can store your buffalo sauces for up to 90 days, so you should try to finish the sauces you buy in less than three months to ensure that they have the freshest taste and texture.
Using the sauce a few days after the expiration date will most likely be fine.
However, you may notice that the flavor or texture differs from how the sauce tastes when it is fresh. Remember, eating expired food can increase the risk of food poisoning or illness.
How Long Does Chick-fil-A Salad Dressing Last?
Once opened, tightly sealed and kept refrigerated, Salad dressing can last 1-3 months.
Vinaigrettes can last up to 3 months after opening, whereas mayonnaise or cream-based dressings can only last about 1- 2 months.
Chick-fil-A’s famous salad dressing includes the following:
- Avocado Lime Ranch
- Light Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Creamy Salsa
- Light Italian Dressing
- Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette
- Garden Herbs Ranch Dressing
- Fat-Free Honey Mustard
How To Tell If Chick-fil-A Sauce Is Expired
You can indeed use Chick-fil-A sauce a few times after the expiration date. However, simply because you can does not mean it’s safe.
Some of the key indicators that it’s time to throw your old Chick fil sauces are:
If It Has A Strange Odor
The best way to tell if your Chick-fil-A- is still good is to smell it. The sauce loses its smell.
This is primarily because of the proliferation of microbial bacteria such as mold cavities, fermentation, and microbes.
As a result, your Chick-fil-A sauce may emit an unpleasant odor. If you notice a significant change in the aroma of your sauce, you can discard it.
If it appears thicker
A new Chick-fil-A sauce is soft and light in texture. That changes when it loses its freshness or when it expires.
The sauce will thicken, and you may notice some visible mold formation. If you’re working with an open sauce pack without refrigeration, the process will be much faster.
Can Eating Expired Sauce Be Food Poisoning?
While there is no proof that eating expired sauce will cause food poisoning, it is possible. Food that has gone bad is more likely to contain Escherichia coli or other harmful bacteria.
Besides this, if the sauce has a sour taste, which is more likely after the expiry date, you may experience digestive problems, upset stomach, nausea, shivers, fever, or abdominal cramps.
Want to learn more about Chick-fil-A? Check out our related posts to learn if Chick-Fil-A delivers, does Chick-fil-A give birthday rewards, and does Chick-Fil-A take Apple Pay
Conclusion
If you like to bring home an additional pack of Chick-fil-A sauce, you should know that they have a limited shelf life. After a while, they will lose their original flavor and texture. While they may not be dangerous in the extreme, it is always best to avoid using them.
The best way to tell a good Chick-fil-A sauce from a bad one is to look at it and smell it. If you notice those changes, you can avoid using them in the future. Keeping the product cool, preferably in a refrigerator and out of direct sunlight, is also critical and can help to extend its shelf life by a few weeks or months.
But you can always get your favorite Chick-fil-A sauce or dressing salad from a local store like Walmart.