There is no need for teriyaki sauce to be refrigerated. This is because the primary ingredients (soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, honey, and mirin) present in it are highly shelf-stable and also have antimicrobial properties which in turn help to keep the teriyaki sauce itself shelf-stable.
While homemade teriyaki sauce may not contain any added preservatives, most store-bought teriyaki sauces contain additional preservatives which help to prolong its shelf life, prevent spoilage or staleness and keep it shelf-stable for a long time.
Does Teriyaki Sauce Need to Be Refrigerated After Opening?
No, Teriyaki sauce may not be refrigerated after opening, but this will depend on when you plan to finish the entire bottle or jar. For homemade teriyaki sauce, you may need to refrigerate after opening depending on the recipe you used, that is, the ingredients in your recipe. Some recipes incorporate antimicrobial additives such as salt, spices, and honey, while others do not.
Can teriyaki sauce go bad?
Teriyaki sauce rarely goes bad (as it can still be used after its best before date), but YES, it can go bad!
Even though teriyaki sauce is somewhat shelf-stable and does not spoil quickly, it doesn’t last for eternity either. Most store-bought teriyaki sauces retain their quality for a couple of months after the best-by date indicated on their labels.
Does teriyaki sauce go bad if not refrigerated?
Yes, store-bought teriyaki sauce which has been opened may go bad if left unrefrigerated for a long time. However, it will most likely change color, texture, and flavor. It can still be consumed if it was properly stored as it does not show any signs of deterioration like offensive odor or appearance of mold.
How do you know if teriyaki sauce has gone bad?
It is quite easy to determine if your teriyaki sauce has gone bad or not; simply observe the organoleptic properties. These properties include; the taste, the color, the odor or aroma, and the texture (consistency).
Having known what your teriyaki sauce should look, taste, smell, and feel like, anything contrary to your expectations should arouse your suspicion. If your sauce has an unpleasant smell, tastes bad, or has an odd appearance, it most likely is contaminated and has to be discarded.
Now, it is important to note that teriyaki sauce that has been opened and then stored may lose its flavor after a long time in storage, but it will not smell or taste unpleasant like something spoilt.
How long does teriyaki sauce last before opening?
Store-bought teriyaki sauce which has not been opened will remain good for about 3 years or more if stored on the shelf. However, homemade teriyaki sauce is less shelf-stable and might not keep for more than a couple of days if stored at room temperature. Hence, homemade teriyaki sauce needs to be consumed on time or refrigerated if not consumed within a few days.
How long does teriyaki sauce last once opened?
Once opened, teriyaki sauce can last between 3 to 6 months on the counter without any loss of quality. As it stays longer, it starts to lose its quality but is still good for consumption. Refrigeration helps to retain its quality for long.
Most homemade teriyaki sauces, however, do not usually keep for as long as the commercial ones, and therefore need to be refrigerated after opening.
How long does teriyaki sauce last in the fridge?
Teriyaki sauce typically lasts in the fridge for 3 years if unopened, it is even safe to consume for some months after its best-by date. However, when the sauce is opened, it lasts for roughly half a year in the fridge or until when signs that it is going bad appear. For teriyaki sauce that is homemade, the time is even shorter and it keeps for 2-3 weeks in the fridge depending on the ingredients used to make it.
Does teriyaki sauce need to be cooked?
Already prepared teriyaki sauce may be used as a cooking sauce or eaten directly as a dip, dressing, or sauce. The only cooking that is needed is the initial cooking of the ingredients to make the teriyaki sauce itself.
Read also: Does Maple Syrup Need to Be Refrigerated?
Can teriyaki sauce make you sick?
No, teriyaki sauce won’t make you sick. Just like any other food or condiment, teriyaki sauce should not make you feel sick, except of course, if you are allergic to any of the ingredients used to prepare the sauce. The most significant allergen in teriyaki sauce is soy, present in the soy sauce which is a major ingredient in teriyaki sauce.
Can teriyaki sauce make you sick when it has gone bad?
Yes, bad teriyaki sauce can make you sick. Generally, contaminated food can make you sick. It is unsafe to consume teriyaki sauce that has already gone bad as it could contain mycotoxins which cause food poisoning.
Depending on the degree of deterioration, teriyaki sauce that has gone bad may not make you sick when used as a cooking sauce, but as the saying goes “better safe than sorry”, right? If you suspect any case of contamination, do not consume at all!
Read also: Is there Cheese in Cheesecake?
How best can I preserve or store teriyaki sauce?
An unopened bottle of teriyaki sauce is best kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or any heat source.After opening, teriyaki sauce may be refrigerated, otherwise, you can cap it tightly or re-seal and place it on the countertop or store it in the pantry, in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight.
In conclusion, homemade teriyaki sauce may need to be refrigerated or frozen if you intend to keep it for longer than a few days or in large quantities. Store-bought teriyaki sauce, on the other hand, may not require refrigeration even after opening, as long as it is tightly capped or sealed and kept in a cool, dry place.
That said, we advise that to enjoy the flavor, taste, and aesthetic appeal, prepare just as much teriyaki sauce that can last you a couple of weeks; if you intend to prepare in large quantities, then refrigerate. This way, it will retain its flavor and appeal.
Note that teriyaki sauce begins to exhibit loss of flavor, appeal and may eventually go bad on exposure to atmospheric conditions, which occurs in the course of opening and closing the lid during use or as a result of improper storage. This is where refrigeration of the sauce comes in – to preserve the quality.
