Yes, there is no need to refrigerated soy sauce. Fermented foods, such as fish sauce and miso, have several advantages, one of which is that they may theoretically be stored at room temperature for an extended period without going bad.
Not only do the naturally present microbes in food contribute to its taste, but they also play an important role in maintaining its freshness. The quick response is storing soy sauce in the refrigerator is not necessary at all.
It is recommended to keep soy sauce in the refrigerator, particularly if it is going to be kept for extended periods. Because refrigeration helps the taste and quality features stay at their best for a longer time, it may lose part of its quality if it is not refrigerated.
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In this article, you will learn more specific methods for keeping soy sauce refrigerated, when and why it is OK to store soy sauce in the refrigerator, and when it is not appropriate to do so.
Does Soy Sauce Need To Be Refrigerated?
The majority of the time, storing soy sauce in the refrigerator is not necessary at all. Fermented foods, such as fish sauce and miso, have several advantages, one of which is that they may theoretically be stored at room temperature for an extended period without going bad.
Not only do the naturally present microbes in food contribute to its taste, but they also play an important role in maintaining its freshness. A mold known as koji is used to produce a paste that is then fermented using soybeans, roasted grains, brine (also known as saltwater), and soy sauce.
The procedure takes many months, and the dark liquid with a salty taste ferments for a considerable amount of time at room temperature.
Therefore, it is not necessary to be stored in your refrigerator. It is unnecessary to refrigerate it since it will not spoil at room temperature (consider that the packets you receive with your Chinese takeout are not typically chilly). It won’t go bad with a few important exceptions, but it could lose some of its taste.
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You may safely store an opened bottle of soy sauce at room temperature for up to one year if it hasn’t been stored in the refrigerator. An unopened bottle of soy sauce has the potential to survive as long as two or three years, which is virtually forever.
However, suppose a bottle lasts longer than that in your home. In that case, you should create a place among your other condiments stored in the refrigerator to store the soy sauce to maintain its savory and delicious taste.
How Should I Store Soy Sauce At Room Temperature?
It is important to keep soy sauce away from heat and direct sunlight, much as you would with olive oil and coffee beans. Because light and heat will deteriorate its quality much quicker, a cool, dark cabinet is a better alternative than putting it by your cooktop or on the window sill if you want to preserve its freshness.
| Pantry | Fridge | |
| Unopened Soy sauce | 1 – 2 years | 1 – 2 years |
| Opened Soy sauce | 1 month | 6 months |
| Ways to store | Keep soy sauce away from heat and direct sunlight | Keep soy sauce in its original container inside the fridge at moderate temperature. |
| Where to keep | A dark cabinet is a better alternative than putting it by your cooktop or on the window sill if you want to preserve its freshness. | Inside the fridge with moderate temperature |
- A cold, dark spot like the pantry is the ideal place to keep soy sauce in its original container.
- It is also ideal for keeping food at a steady temperature, away from the stove or dishwasher, which will continually raise and drop the temperature of meals placed near them, making them less safe.
- For longer shelf life, soy sauce should always be stored in the refrigerator once it has been opened and the lid properly resealed
- When not refrigerated, the quality of soy sauce quickly deteriorates; therefore, where you store it depends on how often you use it.
- If you’re looking for an airtight way to keep your food fresh, you’ll want to avoid the little glass containers with a spout.
- Storage duration for soy sauces may be affected by the wide variety of processing methods used to make them.
- Chemically processed soy sauces begin to taste “off” before naturally brewing and fermented Japanese Shoya and Tamari sauces.
- Even after their expiration dates have passed, you may use Shoyu and Tamari sauces for at least another month or two by keeping them in a cool, dark spot.
- Some advantages of effective food storage include a better diet, lower food prices, and less waste.
Are There Other Condiments That I Can Take Out Of The Fridge?
Soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, honey, and spicy sauce are popular condiments that do not need to be refrigerated. According to Feingold, vinegar and olive oil are limited to the pantry because they must be kept in a cold, dark area.
On the other hand, coconut oil should not be stored in the refrigerator since it solidifies at temperatures below room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does soy sauce go bad if not refrigerated?
Although soy sauce can spoil, this almost seldom occurs. The normal course of events is that the condiment gradually loses its unique taste over time, and at some point, you conclude that it is no longer suitable for use.
After the bottle has been cracked, it might take a few months to a couple of years for the flavor to reach its full potential. The sauce’s flavor and the sensitivity of your taste buds play a role in this process.
2. Does Kikkoman soy sauce have to be refrigerated?
After opening, they need to be stored in the refrigerator to maintain their quality. As soon as the jar of soy sauce is opened, its taste and its ability to retain its freshness will begin to deteriorate.
It is strongly suggested that the sauce be kept in the refrigerator to guarantee that the flavor and quality are feasible for the longest time.
Even if the soy sauce had been left out at room temperature without being refrigerated, it would not have gone bad as long as no water or other components had been added.
3. How long is soy sauce unrefrigerated?
A bottle of soy sauce that has not been opened has a shelf life of at least two years longer than the date stated on the bottle.
After being opened, it keeps its optimal quality for approximately a month at room temperature and about six months in the refrigerator, although it is safe to consume and maintains a satisfactory quality for much longer.