Teriyaki is an irreplaceable part of many Asian dishes. This sweet and piquant product is quite durable and it can live on the cabinet shelf for two years if we keep it correctly. Refrigerate your teriyaki for keeping it fresh longer, and note that it will still be edible even pst its expiry date!
Do you want to know whether old teriyaki is still ok to intake?
Today, the answer will be discovered!
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How to Store Teriyaki Sauce?
We are used to the idea that condiments must be stored on the cupboard or a cabinet shelf. In fact, this is the optimal option since most sauces need the same deposit environment.
Since teriyaki is mostly made of soy sauce, their storage requirements are pretty much the same.
- Let the unopened bottle remain in a cupboard or on the cabinet shelf
- Make sure the bottle stays away from the sources of heat or direct sunlight
- Place the condiment tank into the dry and cool place
A frequent point of concern exists regarding whether to refrigerate teriyaki or not.
Well, it hangs upon for what period of time we are going to make use of the condiment.
If we are sure that the whole tank will be utilized during the next few months, there is no point in refrigerating it. Just place the tank to the cabinet. Since teriyaki contains a lot of salt which is a typical organic preserving agent, the product is well-protected from spoiling.
However, if the expected term of use will be longer, then refrigeration makes sense since it will support the condition of the product longer. The homemade condiment is also better to keep chilled.
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Store It In an Airtight Glass Container
To extend your Teriyaki’s lifespan and preserve the taste and flavor of this unusual sauce, it is recommended to store it in an airtight glass container.
An airtight lid will prevent other smells from mixing with the flavor of Teriyaki, and the glass is also sturdy enough (unlike plastic, for example) to not let other odors sneak into the container. This way, your sauce can be stored for for up to two weeks in the fridge.
Freeze Sauce
If you buy too much Teriyaki or you make too much of it, you will definitely face the necessity of preserving the sauce. However, refrigerating it won’t allow you to keep the sauce edible long enough! The maximum shelf life you can achieve is two weeks. But what if you need to keep your Teriyaki for longer?
In this case, freezing is your savior! Simply store the Teriyaki sauce in an ice cube tray and then pop out each cube of sauce and add it into your favorite recipes. Alternatively, you can store the sauce flat in freezer bags, or in a plastic container.
However, it might be more difficult for you to use it in smaller portions afterward. When stored in the freezer the sauce will last for up to 3 months.
Can You Freeze Teriyaki Sauce?
Some consumers often wonder whether freezing teriyaki is fine. Well, the condiment itself can be simply exposed to frost and it hardens pretty well. But why would you do this?
Teriyaki is known for its long lifespan which normally means that no special measures are needed to keep the product fresh. Indeed, a store-bought bottle of this Japanese sauce can safely live on the cupboard shelf for a year or even more!
Nevertheless, when it comes to a homemade product, everything is a bit different. Since homemade teriyaki doesn’t contain those artificial preservatives that the commercially made one has, keeping it fresh may be rather challenging!
That is why frosting is the optimal variant for preserving your handmade product.
We advise everyone to choose ice cube forms for that.
- Fill the forms with the condiment
- Toss them into the freezing camera and let them stay there until the condiment is solid
- Remove the forms and pop the hardened condiment out
- Sort them into the frost-friendly packets that can be re-sealed
- Return the new packets back to the freezer
That’s it! As it can be seen, freezing your homemade teriyaki is not a big deal!
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How Long Will Teriyaki Sauce Last?
We have noted that this condiment has a pretty long lifespan. Many people often worry when their foodstuff passes the best-by date but in fact, there is nothing to worry about.
This date only shows for what period of time the product will be at the best quality, but your teriyaki can be safely consumed even past this term.
Due to a large amount of salt that works as a natural preserving agent, this foodstuff will stay usable even after a year past its best-by date!
Another good thing about this product is that the condiment won’t lose its aroma and taste during the extended storage.
However, it was all true for the unopened bottle. If you already unscrewed it, it will stay consumable for a year if being refrigerated. In case you leave it on the shelf, be ready that its lifespan will decrease.
| Pantry | Fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Opened bottle | Stays fresh for 3 to 6 months | Refrigerate for up to one year |
| Unopened bottle | Keep for three years after the best-by date | No refrigeration is required |
And by the way, note that teriyaki stays consumable longer when it is stored according to the storage requirements so it won’t turn bad!
How Long Can Teriyaki Be Stored After Opening?
If you like to use Teriyaki sauce in your dishes, you probably wonder how to store it longer, especially if the bottle is already opened. Its shelf life in an opened container will depend on where you keep it. Teriyaki sauce will only last for about a week if stored in an unsealed container at room temperature.
However, if you store it properly in the fridge, even an opened bottle of this sauce can last up to 3 months! If you want to extend its lifespan, note that the Teriyaki sauce can also be frozen. In this case, it will last for up to 6 months in a clean, airtight container.
How to Store Homemade Teriyaki Sauce?
If you are worried about how well your homemade Teriyaki can be stored, there is no need for stress. Homemade teriyaki sauce stores great! To store your DIY teriyaki sauce, place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
This way, you can keep either freshly made sauce or leftovers you want to use next time.
How to Tell If Teriyaki Sauce Is Bad?
Nevertheless, even such a durable foodstuff can become bad if we break some of the prescribed storage rules.
If the tank was exposed to heat, light, or the surroundings where you keep it is too moist, be ready that the condiment may decrease its quality.
To be absolutely sure, check your teriyaki:
- if the product smells bad
- if its taste is off and unpleasant
- if any traces of mold inside the tank are found
discard such a product since it is impossible to use it anymore.
Even though such dramatic changes are highly unlikely to take place, you’d better check the tank of teriyaki regularly to notice the first signs of spoiling at the right time.
Conclusion
Now you know whether Teriyaki sauce can go bad and what to do to keep it delicious and ready to consume longer. We shared a few helpful tips on storing and preserving this condiment, as well as explained how long it lasts and how to tell if it’s bad or not.
You also know how to store homemade Teriyaki correctly. With that in mind, this Asian sauce will always be ready for you to add to your culinary masterpieces!
Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ Does teriyaki sauce have alcohol?
Normally, those that are sold on the west are alcohol-free but some kinds of teriyaki do contain alcohol (e.g. sake). Better check the label if you’re not sure whether the certain sauce contains alcohol or not.
⭐ CAN expired soy sauce make you sick?
Soy sauce is extremely durable and it can be safely consumed even past its best-by date.
⭐ What happens if you don't refrigerate teriyaki sauce after opening?
The opened unrefrigerated sauce will most likely change its color, texture, and aroma. If it was stored properly and you see no signs of spoilage, it can be still consumed.
⭐ How long does teriyaki sauce last once opened?
An opened bottle will remain fine for half a year in a pantry and for up to twelve months refrigerated.
⭐ Can I freeze teriyaki sauce?
Yes, teriyaki freezes well. However, this preserving method is good for the homemade product mostly since the store-bought one lasts perfectly unrefrigerated.
⭐ Should I refrigerate soy sauce?
This product is very long-lasting and feels fine on the cabinet shelf. But if you want to keep its aroma the same strong longer, you’d better chill it.
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