Does Teriyaki Sauce Go Bad? (Shelf Life & Storage)

It is not uncommon, especially since the pandemic, for people to have food storage in their house. After all, it is the best way to ensure you always have food should the unexpected happen. However, not all food will last forever and the last thing we want to be doing is consuming expired food. That is why it is important to know how long certain food items will last. Teriyaki sauce, for example, is something people would likely stock up on. How long will it last, though, before it goes bad – if it goes bad at all?

While teriyaki sauce does not go bad quickly, it does not last forever, either. An unopened and properly stored bottle of teriyaki sauce can last up to three years. Once opened and refrigerated, it will be good for several months to a year. If the teriyaki sauce develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, discard it.

In this article, we will discuss whether or not teriyaki sauce goes bad over time, as well as how to properly store teriyaki sauce. We will also highlight a few alternatives to teriyaki sauce. Let’s dig in!

Contents

Does Teriyaki Sauce Go Bad Over Time?
How Can You Tell If Teriyaki Sauce Has Gone Bad?
How to Properly Store Teriyaki Sauce?
- Can You Freeze Teriyaki Sauce?
Does Teriyaki Sauce Have To Be Stored In The Refrigerator?
Can You Get Sick From Eating Old Teriyaki Sauce?
Does Teriyaki Sauce Have Gluten In It?
Alternatives To Teriyaki Sauce
Related Questions
- Related Guides

Does Teriyaki Sauce Go Bad Over Time?

Teriyaki sauce is not something that will go bad quickly. That does not mean it will last forever, though. To ensure you get the best and longest use out of your teriyaki sauce, it is important that you make sure it is in its original bottle and that the bottle is not damaged when you purchase it. An unopened and properly stored bottle of teriyaki sauce is often good for about three years. So if you bought a few extra bottles to have on hand, you do not have to worry about trying to use them all up quickly. Once opened, however, it must be kept in the refrigerator in order for it to stay at peak freshness for the longest amount of time, which is about several months to a year.

If you plan on using the entire contents of the bottle within a short period of time, the storage method will not make a big difference. Most people only need it for a certain recipe and then they store the remainder of it in the pantry or the refrigerator. If you are not sure when you will use it again, it is best to store it in the refrigerator to maintain its quality. Once an abnormal odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, discard it immediately.

How Can You Tell If Teriyaki Sauce Has Gone Bad?

We all have seen, or even been guilty of smelling or tasting something to see if it has gone bad. So it should not come as a surprise to you when I say that is the best way to tell if teriyaki sauce has gone bad. If you notice that the teriyaki sauce has developed an off odor, flavor or appearance, or especially if mold appears, it should not be consumed and discarded immediately. If it appears normal and no mold is present, try to remember how long ago it was purchased and how it has been stored since then. If it has been stored properly in the original bottle, the bottle was tightly sealed and not damaged, then it is most likely safe to be consumed.

Most bottles of teriyaki sauce come with a best-by date, which is not to be confused with a use-by date. That is not necessarily an expiration date. It simply means the quality of the teriyaki sauce will be at its best until that date. If it appears normal and has been stored properly, it will most likely be good well past the best-by date.

How to Properly Store Teriyaki Sauce?

For an unopened bottle of teriyaki sauce, the best place to store it is in a cool and dry place away from any heat source.

Once opened, make sure to seal it tight after every use and store it in the refrigerator. If you are unable or do not want to refrigerate it, store it in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

Can You Freeze Teriyaki Sauce?

Some people may be inclined to freeze their teriyaki sauce to try and make it last even longer than usual. While that is not recommended, there are a few steps you can follow if you do decide to try it out.

Pour the sauce into an ice cube tray.
Put the tray in the freezer and leave it in there until the sauce freezes solid.
Take the ice cube tray out of the freezer and carefully pop the cubed sauce out of the tray.
Transfer the cubes into a resealable freezer bag and place the freezer bag in the freezer.

This way, you can easily thaw out as much teriyaki sauce as you need at a time.

Another way to freeze teriyaki sauce is to freeze it with the meat. Pour the sauce into a resealable freezer bag, add the meat and massage the sauce into the meat. Once everything is combined, seal the bag and place it in the freezer. When the time comes, take the bag out of the freezer to let the meat defrost and it is ready for cooking.

Does Teriyaki Sauce Have To Be Stored In The Refrigerator?

For optimal flavor and freshness, it is best to store your teriyaki sauce in the refrigerator after opening. Once opened, teriyaki sauce can last up to one year in the refrigerator. If you are unable or do not want to store your teriyaki sauce in the refrigerator, it is best to store it in a cool, dry place away from any heat sources. Teriyaki sauce can last several months when stored like that.

Can You Get Sick From Eating Old Teriyaki Sauce?

Although unlikely, it is possible to get sick from eating old teriyaki sauce. If it is just barely past the expiration date and you do not notice a change in odor or flavor, you will most likely be fine. However, it is when mold develops that you should be concerned about getting sick. Mold can cause a slew of problems such as allergic reactions, respiratory problems, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In rare cases, mold can produce toxic chemicals that can cause disease and even death depending on the individual and the amount of mold that was consumed.

Does Teriyaki Sauce Have Gluten In It?

Yes. Traditional teriyaki sauce uses soy sauce as an ingredient, and since soy sauce is made with wheat, that makes teriyaki sauce not safe for those with celiac disease or other gluten intolerances.

Alternatives To Teriyaki Sauce

SEOUL Korean BBQ Bulgogi Sauce

Make delicious Korean BBQ at home with this Bulgogi sauce. It shares a similar flavor profile with teriyaki sauce, which is why it is an ideal alternative. It features a sweet and savory flavor with hints of pear, ginger, and garlic.

Use it as a marinade, stir-fry sauce, or even a dipping sauce. No matter how you enjoy it, you are sure to love it.

Primal Kitchen No Soy Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce

This no soy teriyaki is gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and whole30 compliant. Made with only the cleanest and organic ingredients such as coconut aminos, dates, and orange juice, this teriyaki sauce will leave you satisfied without any guilt.

Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce

This sauce has a very salty and slightly sweet flavor. It is made with fermented soybeans that give it a savory umami element that some other sauces use fish or meat to achieve. If you are looking to add a unique flavor to your favorite dishes, this is the sauce for you.

Iron Chef General Tso’s Sauce And Glaze

General Tso’s sauce is sweet, sour and spicy all at the same time. It is famously used on chicken, but it would also be great on pork or fish.

Use it as a marinade, stir-fry sauce, or simply as a sipping sauce to take your favorite Asian-inspired dishes to the next level.

Thai Kitchen Gluten-Free Sweet Red Chili Dipping Sauce

This easy, all-purpose sauce adds a sweet and spicy Thai flavor to any dish. Use it on noodles, add it to a stir-fry, or as the perfect dipping sauce for spring rolls. Be warned, once you start using it you will not want to stop.