Soy sauce has come to us from Asia. Over there, it is a common ingredient for many dishes so no wonder that Asians know perfectly how to deal with it!
As for us, we sometimes get stuck in calculating how much time it’s left until the soy sauce expiration.
No worries! Our super team will reveal the secrets of this dressing and the nuances of the soy sauce shelf life today!
Related: Does Balsamic Vinegar Go bad?
Why Is This Sauce So Special?
Soy sauce comes from China originally. It is produced of fermented soya beans paste, brine, roasted grain, and special sorts of consumable molds.
This condiment is a very multipurpose product since people widely use it as a dip, dressing, or pour directly over foodstuff.
It also fits various soups perfectly adding its specific and pleasant flavor to them. Meat and fish dishes also win from using this condiment on them.
Even though it is very salty, soy sauce has lots of useful qualities that are hard to ignore.
- This condiment has an anti-inflammatory effect
- It contributes to preventing hypertension greatly
- Consuming this dressing allows us to protect ourselves from cancer and other mutagenic diseases
- Soy sauce works perfectly as an antioxidant
- It is good for proper digestion
- It even has an anti-allergic action!
No wonder that, when people find out that soy sauce may go bad, they want to do their best to extend its lifespan to the longest.
Related: Does Mustard Go Bad?
How To Store Soy Sauce Without Messing Up With It
Since soy sauce is a foreign product, quite a few people know for sure how to deal with it correctly.
Soy sauce storage may seem to be complicated science for someone, however, it is only necessary to memorize several easy tips and use them afterward to defer the date when the soy sauce will expire.
- First of all, you’d better store it in the original bottle. Seal it tightly and place it in a cool and dark place. A pantry would be a great choice!
- Make sure that the temperature there is always constant since soy product is quite sensitive to its fluctuations.
- Remove the bottle away from the stove or dishwasher to avoid any extra heat.
- Once we open the bottle, it becomes vulnerable since bacteria may get inside easily. To prevent this, remove the dressing to the fridge. That is why, when people ask “does soy sauce need to be refrigerated?” we strongly recommend doing so. If we refrigerate soy sauce, it will lose its qualities much slower.
Does soy sauce go bad if not refrigerated? Well, it won’t get rotten in the blink of an eye, of course, but the lifespan of the product will be significantly reduced.
It seems very simple but these life hacks can save the product from the untimely spoilage.
Related: Can You Freeze Mayonnaise?
Can You Freeze Soy Sauce?
Sooner or later, a question occurs whether freezing is OK for the soy sauce.
We must disappoint you guys but this product won’t get solid in the normal freezing camera.
All because of the high content of salt in it which prevents the liquid from hardening.
So what will happen is that the sauce will become extremely cold but that’s it.
However, if being put to the camera at a lower temperature, the sauce may probably freeze.
The Shelf Life Of Soy Sauce We Didn’t Know About
Those who don’t consume soy sauce regularly often become confused when thinking about the storage of the dressing.
What is the shelf life of soy sauce, they ask?
Well, as usual, everything hangs upon how and where we keep it, also, sealing or unsealing the bottle plays a big role.
How long does soy sauce last?
If we talk about the unopened bottle, it can last for an indefinite period of time.
On the other hand, an opened tank will remain usable for three years at most, that’s for sure!
Can Soy Sauce Go Bad?
Even though this exotic dressing is so long-lasting and it’s not so demanding as other products may appear to be, soy sauce, like teriyaki sauce, does indeed get spoiled with time.
Improper storage conditions are among the common reasons why this happens.
How to tell if soy sauce is bad?
The most obvious sign is a mold. When noticing any traces of soy sauce mold inside the bottle, discard it instantly since the product is irrevocably bad.
However, it is useful to note that old soy sauce may change its color and odor but it won’t mean that it’s bad.
If, after a certain period of storage, its color darkens and the smell becomes stronger, be calm. The sauce is still OK, it’s just getting older!
Is Expired Soy Sauce Unsafe To Consume?
Quite many consumers may become curious about whether expired soy sauce is harmful to consume.
As we already mentioned, the aged dressing is still safe to use even if it gets darker and its smell becomes more highlighted.
But what about the moldy product?
This one must go to the garbage bin at once since it’s unsafe to consume it by no means!
Ways To Use Soy Sauce
Indeed, this exotic product is a true find for chefs! Due to its specific but pleasant taste and flavor, this dressing fits perfectly almost any dish.
Whether we make salads, fry meat, prepare fish or seafood, make soup, or even boil rice, soy sauce will be in the right place in any case.
Feel free to add it to all the foodstuff listed above and don’t be afraid to experiment, for instance, by adding it to marinades.
Anyway, what could be even more unexpected than using salty soy sauce for making ice cream! And in Japan, it is a common practice.
Be attentive and careful when buying soy sauce. Pay attention to its expiry date on the bottle and make sure that it has the necessary conditions for proper storage. Like this, the dressing will serve much longer!
Read next: How Long Does Salsa Last?
Does soy sauce go bad if stored in packets? I used to buy it in glass bottles, but there was none this time so I had to buy it in a packet. Will it spoil faster, what do you think?
Hi! I guess the type of package does not matter in fact. I buy soy sauce either in packets or in bottles, but I never noticed the latter one spoiled faster. I guess that, if you store it right, it will last the same long. But of course, it WILL spoil one day, it’s not eternal, you know.
Hi! I have recently bought some soy sauce powder (yeah, there is such a thing as well!), so now I’m kind of worried about its lifespan. Does soy sauce powder go bad? What is your experience with this stuff?
Well, it does spoil anyway since it’s food, you know. But its lifespan is pretty long, I would say something around two or even three years! But that’s if it’s being kept unopened. I guess an opened product will stay edible for a little less time.
Does soy sauce go bad at room temperature? Is it safe to keep it always on the counter or in a cabinet?
Hey there! Judging from my own experience, it feels absolutely fine if stored at room temperature. I always keep mine either in a kitchen cabinet or simply on a shelf, and it always remains of the best quality. It doesn’t last that long though simply because I finish it too fast! So don’t worry, it won’t get spoiled unless you break the storage rules (e.g. recommended temperature, lighting, etc).
I’m not good at keeping all that Asian food stuff and condiments so maybe someone will help me. Will soy sauce go bad if not refrigerated?
Basically, it will go bad sooner or later anyway. Foods tend to spoil, you know. But if all the storage rules are followed, then the condiment can easily last unchilled. You can keep it on the counter or in a cabinet, it doesn’t matter.
Does soy sauce go bad after the expiration date? How many days will it last after the expiry date is passed? Thanks a lot!
Well, this stuff is really long-lasting! I know that an unopened bottle can last for years even past the expiration date, but I would say it is better to be consumed within one or two years since this is how long it keeps its best quality. But of course, sooner or later it will get bad.
I have a question for those who are knowledgeable about the Japanese cuisine and stuff. Does tamari soy sauce go bad? If yes, then what is its lifespan?
It does go bad of course, there is no food that lasts forever! As for the term of use, I would say Tamari is best to be used as soon as you can even though it will last for several months beyond the best-by date (if stored correctly, of course).It does go bad of course, there is no food that lasts forever! As for the term of use, I would say Tamari is best to be used as soon as you can even though it will last for several months beyond the best-by date (if stored correctly, of course).
I have an option to either keep my soy sauce in a kitchen cabinet right above the oven or remove it to the pantry. Which one is the best? At what temp does soy sauce go bad?
Well, I don’t know the precise temperature like in degrees, but I do know that this stuff is best to be kept in a cool place. I use the fridge for that purpose, and I can say that the taste is even better when the sauce is a bit chilled!
I heard that soy sauce can be refrigerated. But here is the question: does refrigerated soy sauce go bad the same fast as the unchilled one? What do you think? Any ideas?
I assume that even when being refrigerated, soy sauce goes bad. But yes, in my opinion, its lifespan is a bit longer than usual if it’s chilled. Also, from my own experience, I can tell you that it will stay the same tasty (or even better) longer than if you would keep it in a cabinet/pantry.
How long can you keep soy sauce in the fridge? Is there any time limit?
No limits! Keep it there until it’s completely used. Mine never lives long because I use it daily even for salad dressings.
Perhaps a bit silly question: does soy sauce go bad if unopened?
Quite an ordinary question, why? And yes, it does go bad even if unopened. The only difference between an opened and unopened bottle will be that the unopened one will last longer – I would say, several years past the expiry date. But in such a case I would not expect great taste if I were you!
Does soy sauce go out of date if unopened?
Yes, it does even if you keep it correctly according to all the rules.
I have recently noticed that there is a sweet soy sauce being sold in supermarkets. Does sweet soy sauce go bad just like its unsweetened counterpart?
Yeah, both get worse after a while. That’s life. I don’t know, however, whether the sweet alternative spoils the same fast.
Has anyone used a low-sodium soy sauce here before? Does low sodium soy sauce go bad?
I’m pretty sure I used it several times. Anyway, of course it goes bad! Any foodstuff does. But if you need to know the precise terms, better ask someone else since I’m not a pro!
How long does sweet soy sauce last?
I’m quite sure that its lifespan is the same as for the ordinary condiment: two to three years. But if it’s still unopened, then the bottle can last way longer, of course, if being kept under the correct conditions!
A million dollar question: how do you know when soy sauce is bad? Are there any particular signs? Maybe, smell or color? Something that is easy to define and notice?
Honestly, mine never lasted till it’s so bad! But I’m pretty sure that if you see any moldy stuff, or if it smells off, or if the color changed, then it is time to say goodbye to the condiment.
Does kikkoman soy sauce go bad if kept unchilled? Will I spoil it if I just leave the bottle on the counter in a shade?
If you keep it in a spot that is protected from direct light and heat (like oven, microwave, etc), then it’s fine, I guess. But it will spoil anyway, so is there any point to fuss?
I decided to try gluten-free soy sauce, but I’m not sure about its shelf life. Does gluten free soy sauce go bad?
I used to buy that quite often (later returned to the normal soy sauce though for I like its taste better). Well, what I want to say is that it does go bad and you can’t help it. So simply make sure it’s being stored properly, and try not to keep it too long.