How long does soy sauce last?
Unopened: 3 years in the pantry.
| State | Pantry | Fridge 40 °F |
|---|---|---|
| Unopened | 3 years FoodKeeper Extension | Not stated |
| Opened | 1 month Extension | 1 month FoodKeeper Extension |
Sources compared
| Source | State | Pantry | Fridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Unopened | 3 years | - |
| NDSU Extension | Unopened | 3 years | - |
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Opened | - | 1 month |
| NDSU Extension | Opened | 1 month | - |
| Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine) | Opened | - | 1 month |
A dash means that source gives no time for that place.
Handling and freezing notes
- Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time. Shelf-stable commercial soy sauce and teriyaki sauce are safe when stored at room temperature after opening. Quality, not safety, is the reason the labels on these products suggest that they be refrigerated after opening. FoodKeeper
What the sources say
FoodKeeper lists soy sauce together with teriyaki sauce and gives an unopened bottle 3 years in the pantry from the date of purchase.1
After opening, it gives soy sauce 1 month in the refrigerator.1
FoodKeeper also explains that shelf-stable commercial soy sauce and teriyaki sauce are safe when stored at room temperature after opening, and that refrigeration keeps them fresh for longer.1
Quality, not safety, is the reason the labels on these sauces suggest refrigerating them after opening, according to the same entry.1
The NDSU Extension food storage guide gives the same 3 years for unopened soy sauce in its list of spices, herbs, condiments and extracts, and says to use it within 1 month after opening.21
Iowa State University Extension includes soy sauce in its list of opened condiments kept in the refrigerator and gives it 1 month after opening.3
So all three sources give 1 month once the bottle is open, though only FoodKeeper and Iowa State tie that month to the refrigerator.123
Rules that apply here
Related foods
Sources
- USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 360: Soy sauce or teriyaki sauce. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Soy sauce or teriyaki sauce. Pantry: - (Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time. Shelf-stable commercial soy sauce and teriyaki sauce are safe when stored at room temperature after opening. Quality, not safety, is the reason the labels on these products suggest that they be refrigerated after opening.); DOP_Pantry: 3 Years; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 1 Months
- 1 • FN579 • Food Storage GuideNDSU Extension. NDSU Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25.
Soy sauce (unopened) 3 years Use within 1 month after opening.
- Refrigerated Condiment Safety Tips • Words on Wellness • Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25.
Shelf life of common condiments after opening... Soy Sauce: 1 month
- REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24.
Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.