Soy sauce is more than just the condiment packets that come with your takeout. It’s an umami powerhouse that makes meat taste meatier, deepens the flavor in soups or sauces, and finishes vegetarian and vegan dishes without breaking a sweat. But once you’ve opened a bottle, where do you store it?
We learned that most shelf-stable grocery products such as ketchup and mayo benefit from being refrigerated after opening, but is this true of soy sauce as well?
Kikkoman/Allrecipes
Does Soy Sauce Need to Be Refrigerated
We asked the experts at Kikkoman Corporation, a Japanese company that happens to be the world’s leading manufacturer of soy sauce. When reached for comment, a Kikkoman Sales USA spokesperson confirmed:
“Whether you’re enjoying Kikkoman Soy Sauce from a packet or bottle, it’s best to store opened soy sauce in the refrigerator to help the flavor and quality remain at their peak for a longer period, and to prevent color deterioration.”
Where to Store Soy Sauce
Because soy sauce is a product sensitive to light and temperature, like olive oil or vinegar, a cool dark place is preferred for storing when unopened. But again, an open bottle of soy sauce has a better chance of maintaining its flavor and quality if it goes in the fridge.
If you don’t want cold soy sauce for your sushi or your refrigerator door is full to bursting, a spot away from heat and light works too—but with an important caveat, as the company rep points out:
“No water or other ingredients have been added to your soy sauce, it wouldn’t spoil if left unrefrigerated. For the freshest tasting sauce, we also recommend using within one month of opening.”
Soy sauce has a high concentration of salt which makes it an inhospitable breeding ground for bacteria that can cause serious illness, so it’s likely fine to have in your cabinet. “Unopened soy sauce may be stored at room temperature, away from heat, until its best-by date” the spokesperson adds.
So, there you have it. Slide your ketchup bottle over and make room for your soy sauce in the fridge for optimal results.
