How Long Does Oyster Sauce Last? Does Oyster Sauce Go Bad?

People who love stir fries buy oyster sauces in large quantities as they add fantastic flavor to the recipes.

During storage of the sauce, people do get confused about how long this can be used or do Oyster Sauce go bad.

As it contains ingredients that do not have a longer shelf life, like some of these are made with oyster juices and soy sauces, the sauce goes bad after a certain period.

Thus, they have to finish it before the sauce gets bad or use good storing measures to safeguard their sauce for an extended period.

What is Oyster Sauce?

This is a sauce that is dark and high in consistency and has a little sweet and salty taste.

It is most commonly used in Chinese cuisine, and even though the sauce is made from oyster extract, it does not taste like fish sauce.

These oyster juices are boiled until they get caramelized, and other ingredients like salt, sugar, cornstarch, and sometimes soy sauce are added to them.

These are included in both meat and vegetable-based dishes that belong to cuisines of Vietnam, Thailand, Cantonese, and some others.

The sauce contains a lot of health benefits, too, such as it can improve your immune system.

The zinc content present in the sauce will reduce the symptoms and minimizes the duration of a cold.

It also contains vitamin B12, which is essential for the body, as a deficiency of this vitamin can lead to memory loss and dementia.

How Long Does Oyster Sauce Last? Does Oyster Sauce Go Bad?

Many people believe that the best-by date mentioned on the bottle is tits expiry period.

However, that is incorrect because this is just an estimated date provided by the manufacturers until they believe the sauce gives its peak quality.

After this date, one can indeed have the sauce, but they will not get a similar taste as before.

It will begin to decline over time; therefore, one must keep their sauce intact from all the outer elements.

The usual shelf life of an opened bottle of oyster sauce can be stored for 3 to 6 months in the pantry.

When you are storing sauces, then keeping them at room temperature is fine; however, for entire protection, one can put them in the fridge.

The sauce can be kept in the refrigerator and retain its quality for 18 to 24 months.

Unopened oyster sauces last longer because they are unaffected by air, moisture, and other bacterial infections as they are sealed.

So it would be best to keep the lid of the oyster sauce bottle closed until you are sure to use the sauce.

After opening the sauce, it is advisable to use the sauce within six months instead of prolonging its storage.

How to Tell if Oyster Sauce Have Gone Bad?

• Mold Growth

Some people think the sauce is a liquid; thus, it will not grow any mold.

But if it gets exposed to moisture, then it will develop molds in no time.

When molds appear, they will develop on the surface of the sauce; thus, you can find bad oyster sauce without any issue and just with a clear examination.

Be sure to discard the sauce bottle once you find mold growth.

• Foul Odor

When you are unsure how long you have stored the oyster sauce, do not consume it immediately, as it can be harmful.

Therefore one needs to check bad signs to avoid having a bad oyster sauce; for that sniff test is a suitable method.

All you need to do is smell the sauce you have found and see if it still offers a pleasant aroma.

Because if the sauce has gone bad, it will provide a foul odor, and one should throw it out.

• Change in Color

Another factor you can look for is the color of the sauce; this is because when you prolong the storage of sauce, then it turns different in color.

When the oyster sauce is fresh, it has a dark color, but as you keep it stored, the shade will become darker over time.

It happens when oxidation has taken place long ago.

Thus, you should avoid using the sauce off; it develops darker color if stored longer.

How to Store Oyster Sauce?

• Keep Away From Direct Sunlight

When you expect your sauce to last longer, you need to follow the right storing measures.

Thus for better storage, keep the sauce away from direct sunlight as it can increase its temperature.

Excess heat and sunlight will break down its component, and then the oxidation process takes place.

• Keep in a Cool and Dark Place

For storage, it’s better to choose a place that is dark and cool.

That is because oysters and other sauces get bacteria quite often; therefore, they must not come in contact with water or other liquids.

This will help you significantly increase their shelf lives; these places include pantries or kitchen cabinets.

• Reseal the Jars

Closed bottles are easier to manage and do not get moisture and bacteria that easily because the jar is sealed.

Thus once you open the bottle, then you should reseal it quickly to avoid any further contamination of the sauce.

Conclusion

If food is kept at a temperature of more than 40 degrees, they are most likely to develop bacteria quickly.

Therefore, refrigeration is necessary to keep the bacteria growth in control in time.

One can use airtight containers or glass jars to slow down the process of oxidation and exceed the life of their oyster sauce.