Condiments, Sauces & Canned Goods
How long does soy sauce last after opening?
USDA puts opened soy sauce and teriyaki at 1 month in the fridge — a real drop from the 3 years an unopened bottle gets in the pantry, so buy small unless you cook with it constantly.
How long does it keep?
| Pantry, from purchase | 3 years |
|---|---|
| Fridge, opened | 1 month |
Can it sit out?
Unopened, soy sauce is shelf-stable. Once opened, treat it as perishable — the FSIS 2-hour rule applies.
Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).
How to tell if soy sauce has gone bad
- A haze or drifting sediment in what should pour clear
- A crust of dried salt sealing the pour spout
- A flat, harsh taste with none of the original roundness
- Mold at the neck or under the cap
When in doubt, throw it out.
Keep the bottle out of the light — soy sauce darkens and dulls on a sunny counter faster than it does in a cupboard.
Quick answers
How long does soy sauce last after opening?
USDA puts opened soy sauce and teriyaki at 1 month in the fridge — a real drop from the 3 years an unopened bottle gets in the pantry, so buy small unless you cook with it constantly.
How long can soy sauce sit out?
Sitting out isn’t the safety question for unopened soy sauce — once opened, the FSIS 2-hour rule applies. Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).