Does Miso Go Bad? How Long Does Miso Paste Last in Fridge?

Name: Does Miso Go Bad? How Long Does Miso Paste Last in Fridge?
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: Please check the end of the post for recipe ingredients.; If you don't find any, let me know in comments.

Ayub KhanandRehmat DietitianMarch 16, 2023Last Updated: April 12, 2023

4 minutes read

Table of Contents

In this article, you will know the answer to the query “Does Miso Go Bad? How Long Does Miso Paste Last in Fridge?“.

It is best to try the food of culture to learn more about it.

Over the dining table, people across the globe can connect and learn about one another through food, which is the foundation of any culture.

There are other foods that have been popularized all over the world, but their origins are in Japanese culture that dates to the 1500s.

In fact, miso can be used in many different ways and is more versatile than a dish. The ingredient base is actually used to make various types of miso soups (source).

The shelf life of miso is long, as it is a preservative. It can, however, spoil due to the surrounding environment and storage conditions, which should be taken into account.

Is it possible for miso to go bad? Check out the rest of this article to learn more.

What is Miso Anyway?

Traditionally, miso is made by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji, a traditional Japanese ingredient.

A fermentation culture, Aspergillus Oryaze, is inoculated onto rice, soybeans, or barley to make koji.

The taste of fermented foods will always be foreign to your taste buds at first, so eating miso alone will provide you with a shock since it is tangy and extremely salty.

They are mostly used for making soups due to their paste-like texture. You can think of miso as a flavor boost that will introduce you to a unique burst of taste and tang! You can find more recipes with miso here.

Nevertheless, miso is often added to salad dressings and marinades because of its unique flavor.

Also, some people put miso in their vegetable dishes and baked tofu.

Miso is an important food product for vegans and vegetarians. There are a number of traditional Japanese dishes that use miso, so its possibilities are not limited.

In addition, there are different types of miso paste depending on the type of ingredients used.

However, if you are out in the market looking to buy one, you will notice that there are different kinds of miso because of the different colors.

How to Store Miso Paste Properly?

Because miso is already fermented, storing it would be straightforward.

Make sure the lid of the miso container is sealed tightly after you use it if it comes with one.

Make sure the spoon you use to scoop out the paste is clean, otherwise, a dirty spoon will introduce substances that will spoil the miso paste.

Whenever you have leftover miso paste, transfer it to an airtight container and seal it as well.

If you want to prolong the shelf life of miso, store it in a fridge and keep it airtight.

The miso paste can also be kept in the freezer if you want to keep the flavor fresh. It is recommended to store the paste between 25°F and -5°F.

Having the miso non-freeze will allow you to use it whenever you want without losing its aroma or flavor.

A cool, dry place is also a good place to store unopened miso bottles. The food doesn’t have to be refrigerated, and it should definitely stay away from heat sources, such as stoves.

The bottom line is that you don’t have to worry as long as the miso paste is sealed and kept in a refrigerator.

Does Miso Paste Go Bad? How Long Does Miso Paste Last?

A bottle of miso paste has been claimed to have survived in a refrigerator for 8 to 9 years and still tasted good.

In spite of the fact that it is not advisable, it still makes sense, since miso is already fermented and a preservative.

Hikari Miso, which is a top brand for Japanese miso, states that miso will keep for a year if it is stored properly.

It is important to note that miso that is light in color has a shorter shelf life than that that is dark in color.

A best-by date will be printed on all miso containers, and it is your responsibility as a responsible consumer to check it.

Despite having a best-by date, miso paste can still be consumed after that date, because the best-by date indicates that the paste is at its best after that date.

Considering that miso is a preservative with salt and is also fermented, it has a long shelf life.

You can expect the shelf life of the product to be very long if it is stored in the correct conditions.

It will compromise its freshness, but if that is not a concern, make sure they are refrigerated or kept somewhere cool and dry.

How to Tell If Miso Is Bad? Miso Shelf Life!

Choosing between good miso and bad miso can be difficult since you are already consuming fermented paste.

In any case, you should always rely on your sense of smell as your first instinct. If the miso smells off-putting or is just not the same as you remember, throw it out immediately.

Bad miso will have some discoloration or moldy appearance if you can’t distinguish the smell.

According to this thread, some cheese molds are good, and unless they look pink, they’re still edible.

You should discard your miso if it has gone rogue due to food molds.

If the miso changes to a darker appearance but does not have an offensive smell or mold formation, it is still good to eat.