If you found a jar or can of Thai curry paste in your kitchen pantry and you wondered whether it has gone bad, or whether it is even possible for it to go bad, we’re here to provide you with all the answers.
You don’t have to waste time debating whether to use your Thai curry paste or trying to find answers about how to properly store it, and similar.
However, it is very important to know these details. When it comes to food, you want to be 100% certain you’re doing everything right and not ingesting harmful and spoiled ingredients.
That is why we’re here to provide you with all the info you could possibly need about Thai curry paste, including what it is exactly, how long it can last, if it can go bad, how you can store it properly, and more!
Sit back, relax, and scroll down to learn all you need to know about your Thai curry paste in a snap!
What Is Thai Curry Paste?
Thai curry paste is traditionally used in Thai cuisine, and it is mostly used to make a dish called Thai curry, also known as Kaeng. The paste is usually made of the following ingredients:
- Red or green chilies (some people use dried chilies, while others prefer fresh ones)
- Coriander
- Shrimp paste
- Lemongrass
- Onions or shallots
- Galangal
- Garlic
You can use Thai curry paste for more than just curry. If you want, you can add it to soups, stews, noodles, certain seafood meals, as a dressing for salads, and so much more. It’s a delicious ingredient for a wide range of dishes.
Can Thai Curry Paste Go Bad?
Now that you’re familiar with what Thai curry paste is and what you can use it for, it’s time to discover whether it can go bad. The short answer to this question is yes, Thai curry paste can go bad.
As you can probably see on the jar or can of paste you have, there is an expiration date printed.
Most manufacturers make sure to put in a recommended amount of time as well, so you can know when to use up your paste or, if the recommended amount of time passes, throw it away.
If there is no expiration date on your Thai curry paste, that doesn’t mean you can use it whenever you want to without the fear of it going bad.
There is a certain amount of time that these pastes can generally last, and we’re here to explain it all.
How Long Can Thai Curry Paste Last?
When it comes to the amount of time your Thai curry paste can last, it depends on a few factors. Some of these factors include quality, brand, and similar, but the crucial one is whether your paste is opened or unopened.
Take a look at the table below to find out how long your paste can last in each of these circumstances:
| Opened | Unopened |
| If you already opened your jar of Thai curry paste, you should make sure to use it up in the following 3-4 weeks at the longest. The ingredients used in the making of this paste tend to undergo quicker deterioration once you unseal the jar and use the paste before it expires or within 3-4 weeks from opening it. You also need to make sure that you refrigerate the paste after opening it if you don’t want it to go bad instantly, so keep that in mind | As for the unopened jars of Thai curry paste, it’s an entirely different story. Although the exact amount of time will be dictated by the brand in question, unopened Thai curry paste can last for several years if kept in a cool and dark place. Put it in your cupboard or kitchen cabinet to store it and make sure you open it at some point in the following 2 years |
Signs Your Thai Curry Paste Has Gone Bad
Can’t remember when you opened your jar of Thai curry paste exactly, and you’re wondering whether it’s good to use? Worry not because we provide you with a list of signs that your curry paste has gone bad and shouldn’t be used—check it out:
Smell—If your paste doesn’t smell like tasty spices and oils but rather bad, rancid, and vinegary, it is a sign that it has gone bad and shouldn’t be eaten
Taste—The taste of your curry paste doesn’t have to be extremely bad for you to know that it started going bad. If it tastes flat and you can’t detect much flavor in it, it means that the process of it going bad has already begun
Mold—You are probably aware of this one since mold is a dead giveaway that food has gone bad, but some people tend to remove it and proceed to eat the food in question. You shouldn’t do that because eating food that grew white or blue mold can be dangerous and harmful to your body
Separation—Lastly, if you see that the spices have separated from the oil in your Thai curry paste, throw the paste away. This means that the paste has gone bad and isn’t safe to eat any longer
Conclusion
Making sure that the ingredients you use in your everyday cooking are healthy and safe to consume is essential. However, sometimes it isn’t clear whether the ingredient in question has gone bad or not, as is the case with Thai curry paste.
Knowing whether it can go bad and how to tell if it did can be a bit tricky, but that is why you have us! Once you read our article, you’ll be able to tell whether your curry paste is edible or not in seconds.
Forget about wasting time and start cooking delicious Thai food like a pro right away!
