Teriyaki sauce is a must if you love grilled chicken. Marinating fish and meat with the right balance of sweet and tangy works wonders. But since we are not contestants in MasterChef, we do not do that daily.
As a result, Teriyaki sauce might get tossed behind, laying dormant for weeks. There’s always a question about does teriyaki sauce go bad, but the truth is that it can lose its flavor, aroma, and quality over time.
In order to avoid repeating such mistakes in the future, opt for better storage techniques. With the following guide, we will explain the best storage methods and how to determine the quality of an old teriyaki sauce.
How Long Does Teriyaki Sauce Last (Opened and Unopened)?Â
Teriyaki Sauce is not a perishable food, and hence it is sold as a commercial product containing preservatives. Therefore, the sauce has a longer shelf life. For beginners, Teriyaki Sauce must be used before the best-by date or best-before date.
Check the best-use-by date to get an idea of when the sauce is good to consume. The sealed or unopened bottles tend to last longer than the date imprinted on the label. However, you may experience a change in taste and flavor.
How long does teriyaki sauce last unopened?
As long as the bottle is in a sealed condition under the suggested temperature, it may last for several months after the best-by date, if not years.
How long does teriyaki sauce last once opened?
After the seal is broken, it starts losing its taste and flavor quickly, especially when stored at room temperature. If refrigerated, the shelf life increases up to 365 days.
Here is the table guide for you.
| Classification | Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer |
| Teriyaki Sauce (Sealed) | Best-By Date plus One-Three years | – | – |
| Teriyaki Sauce (Unsealed) | There-Six Months | One Year | Two-Three Months |
| Homemade Teriyaki Sauce | – | One-Three Weeks | Two-Three Months |
 The shelf life of Teriyaki Sauce depends on multiple factors, including storage conditions, brand, and preparation methods.
What Are the Signs of a Bad Teriyaki Sauce Sauce?
The Teriyaki Sauce will rarely go bad. Even if the sauce is stored on the pantry’s shelf after its best-by date, it is safe to consume it, especially if it is stored properly and sealed.
Like other sauces, Teriyaki Sauce is also prone to bacteria and microbes’ growth over time. So, you must know the signs to distinguish whether it is still good or gone bad.
Appearance
The fresh Teriyaki Sauce comes with a dark brown texture with sediment from solid ingredients and minced garlic. If a change in the color or texture is noticed or substances are thinning, the sauce has gone bad.
Mold
The most common sign of spoilage is the growth of mold. You will see the mold growing inside the lid of the bottle or on the surface of the Teriyaki Sauce.
If you see fluffy white, black, or green spots on the surface of the sauce, discard them as it is not safe for consumption.
Odor
Teriyaki Sauce comes with a slightly gingery-y, sweet aroma, especially when it is new and fresh. But, when you smell something like vinegar when opening the lid, it indicates that the sauce has gone bad.
Flavor
If you fail to see any of these signs, then test taste is the only way to identify whether the sauce has gone bad or not. The sauce must taste like soy with a twist of gingery flavor. If you find the taste unique and sour, it is time to discard the sauce.
Is it better to have it refrigerated or shelf stable?
Refrigerated
There is no need to refrigerate the sealed or unopened Teriyaki Sauce. It can be stored at room temperature in your pantry until its best-by date. But, if you refrigerate, Teriyaki Sauce tends to stay fresh for up to three years.
The opened Teriyaki Sauce bottle stays fresh for one year if refrigerated. So, if you tend to use a small amount of sauce and want to enjoy its new flavor for several months, refrigerate the sauce after opening.
You may see the FAQ section about the storage method after opening the Teriyaki Sauce of the famous sauce brand, Kikkoman. It suggests refrigerating the sauce after opening to preserve its taste and flavor. Â
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Shelf Stable
Teriyaki Sauce is considered a shelf-stable product. Therefore, the sauce can be stored safely at room temperature without worrying about its spoilage.
The pro tip is that users must keep Teriyaki Sauce in places away from direct sunlight and heat, and it must be a cool and dry spot. Preferably, the kitchen cabinet or pantry shelf is the best spot for its storage.
Is it okay to use expired Teriyaki sauce?
Teriyaki Sauce is prepared from a mixture of sugar, mirin, and other ingredients. But, it tends to go stale, and if you consume such sauce, you may fall sick.Â
Teriyaki Sauce is prepared with different ingredients, and none of them causes an upset stomach or food poisoning, except soy if you are allergic to this ingredient.
Some people may have nausea, especially when their stomach attempts to expel the unsuitable condiments to prevent allergic reactions.
Are Teriyaki Sauces Freezable?
The store-bought Teriyaki Sauce doesn’t demand to freeze as it is not a perishable product, and simple refrigeration is sufficient to sustain its quality and flavor for months. But, the homemade Teriyaki Sauce needs freezing to extend its lifespan because it comprises perishable ingredients.
Storing the homemade Teriyaki Sauce in the freezer can extend its lifespan up to one year. Here are the pro tips for keeping the Teriyaki Sauce in the freezer.
Ice Cube Tray
It helps control the portions when you pour the sauce into an ice tray and put it into the freezer. As it gets frozen completely, you may transfer the cubes into a freezer bag and pull out the required amount when preparing your meals.
With Meat
Users are suggested to mix the Teriyaki Sauce with raw meat that they plan to cook with the sauce. Place the blend into a freezer pouch or container and seal it tightly before freezing.
What is the best way to store Teriyaki sauce?
People usually have the common viewpoint that condiments must be stored on a cabinet shelf or cupboard. But, as a matter of fact, is that it is the optimal option because most sauces need a similar deposit environment for storage.
Since Teriyaki Sauce has soy as the main ingredient, the storage requirements of the sauce are pretty much the same. The store-bought sauce comprises preservatives, and hence it has a longer shelf life. However, it is important to store the Teriyaki Sauce properly to sustain its flavor, quality, and taste while preventing early spoilage.
Unopened Teriyaki Sauce
It is always best to store the sealed and unopened Teriyaki Sauce in a dry, dark, and cool place. The kitchen cabinets and pantry shelf are the perfect spots for storing the sealed Teriyaki Sauce because these spots are away from the direct source of sunlight and heat.
Unsealed Teriyaki Sauce
Once the bottle of Teriyaki Sauce is open and the seal is broken, it is always a smart choice to store it in a cabinet for a few months. However, if you want to keep the sauce fresh for a long period and sustain its quality and flavor, simply put the opened Teriyaki Sauce into a refrigerator.
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
The homemade Teriyaki Sauce comprises zero preservatives, and hence it needs refrigeration. The ingredients in the homemade sauce are mostly perishable. Thereby it is necessary to keep the homemade Teriyaki Sauce in a refrigerator to extend its lifespan and maintain the flavor and taste longer.
What are the Alternatives to Teriyaki Sauce if it has gone bad?Â
Are you looking for the perfect alternatives to teriyaki sauce? If yes, the following options will help you recreate the exact same taste and texture:
- SEOUL Korean BBQ Bulgogi Sauce
- Primal Kitchen No Soy Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce
- Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce
- Iron Chef General Tso’s Sauce And Glaze
- Thai Kitchen Gluten-Free Sweet Red Chili Dipping Sauce
How long does homemade teriyaki sauce last in the fridge?Â
Homemade teriyaki sauce can do wonders to your dish with its natural and preservative-free composition. However, ensure that you make it in batches as per your requirements since homemade teriyaki sauce will only last for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Is Teriyaki Sauce Gluten-Free?
Gluten is naturally available in the ingredients of Teriyaki Sauce, and hence it can’t be considered a gluten-free sauce. Since there is a great demand for gluten-free products, many brands are coming up with gluten-free Teriyaki sauces. Check the label to check or visit the manufacturer’s site for more details.
Does Kikkoman teriyaki sauce need to be refrigerated?
The Kikkoman teriyaki sauce must be refrigerated as soon as you open the bottle. While you can leave it at room temperature if you plan to use it again in a few hours, it is best to toss it in the refrigerator for the best taste.
What is the Difference Between Soy Sauce and Teriyaki Sauce?
Teriyaki Sauce is a type of soy sauce, and soy is one of the primary ingredients of the sauce. Soy sauce is mixed with sugar, mirin, and sake to produce Teriyaki Sauce, and soy sauce is made after fermenting soybean.
Does teriyaki sauce need to be cooked?Â
It is not advisable to consume raw teriyaki sauce. To make the best of its flavor and aroma, you can use this sauce to marinate your meat and vegetable. You can also drizzle it over your ramen to enjoy the delicacy.
The Bottom Line
Teriyaki Sauce is known for its savory and sweet flavor that makes any cuisine delicious. The homemade Teriyaki Sauce is good for consumption for up to two-three weeks if it is refrigerated.
The commercially prepared Teriyaki Sauce comprises preservatives that tend to last longer. The store-bought sauce lasts longer, but the taste and flavor change. So, refrigeration is recommended to preserve its quality after opening the bottle for at least one year. If you see the growth of molds, discoloration, off-taste, and sour smell, discard the sauce and buy a new one.
