How Long Does Mirin Last? Does Mirin Go Bad?

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

If you want to tenderize your meat or add a mild sweetness to your dish, mirin is the answer!

The syrupy liquid is mainly used in Japanese cooking due to its low alcohol content.

There is a good chance that you have already tasted mirin, regardless of whether you have worked with this condiment.

It’s because mirin is an essential ingredient in many Japanese dishes. In addition to teriyaki and sukiyaki, it is widely used to prepare other popular sauces.

There has been a rise in popularity of this Japanese condiment in western cuisine as well.

The majority of households use this to glaze their meat, mask the smell of seafood, or simply add luster to their sauces.

It is important to know how long mirin lasts, however, as it is one of many common questions regarding this Japanese sweetener. Or, does mirin go bad?

This article will be of interest to you if these questions resonate with you.

In addition to answering your question, we will also show you how to tell if mirin has gone bad and what to do about it.

Let’s get straight into the article now, without further ado.

How Long Does Mirin Last? Does Mirin Go Bad?

In the same way as any other food item, mirin can go bad if it is not stored properly.

In spite of this, if you keep it refrigerated, you can still use it after the best date has passed.

If stored in a cool, dark place away from sunlight, mirin will generally last a long time, regardless of whether it has been opened.

There are many people who claim that mirin can be stored in the refrigerator indefinitely.

It is important to note that mirin may lose its optimum quality after two months. As long as it remains edible, you can still use it.

Now that you know what mirin’s shelf life is, let’s examine it more closely.

As you probably already know, there are three types of mirin: Hon mirin, Shio mirin, and Mirin-fu chomiryo/aji-mirin. Because of this, mirin has a different shelf life based on its type.

You’re most likely to find Hon mirin and aji-mirin out of the three types of mirin.

There is a 14% alcohol content in Hon mirin, which is usually made of distilled alcohol (shochu).

It is therefore advisable to store hon-mirin in a cool place (room temperature) such as your pantry.

There is shelf life of up to 3 months for hon mirin. Sugar crystallization may occur when hon-mirin is refrigerated.

Ji-mirin, on the other hand, contains less than 1% alcohol and is widely used as a condiment.

The shelf life of unopened aji-mirin can be extended by storing it in the fridge.

As long as you store aji-mirin in the refrigerator, you can consume it even after its best-before date.

An opened bottle of aji-mirin, however, will last for up to 3 months. Aji-mirin should always be kept in the fridge.

How to Tell if Mirin is Bad?

The consumption of bad mirin does not seem to have any definite side effects.

For general safety reasons, you should immediately discard any expired mirin in order to prevent food poisoning.

What is the best way to distinguish bad mirin from good mirin? If your mirin has expired, what are the signs you should look for?

It is quite challenging to identify if mirin has gone bad since it does not show any clear signs of spoilage.

Even so, you can still detect the signs of bad mirin.

Checking if mirin has gone bad can be done with the senses of sight, smell, and taste:

When you leave your mirin out in the open for several days without properly closing the lid, you should discard the entire contents since outer factors may have already contaminated it.

There may be a difference in color between different kinds of mirin. Yellowish or slightly golden-yellow is the typical color of mirin.

Your mirin has most likely gone bad if you notice the color has changed compared to when you first bought it.

The next step is to take a whiff of the mirin. An unpleasant or rotten smell will emanate from bad mirin.

Try tasting your mirin if you are unable to tell if it has gone bad based on the above steps.

In contrast to the usual sweet-acidic flavor of mirin, bad mirin has a strange, stale taste. There is also a possibility that expired mirin will smell strongly tangy.

Conclusion

One of the most versatile condiments around, mirin can be used to marinate meat, sweeten dishes, thicken sauces, and add an appealing gloss to steaks.

Mirin is easy to find in most grocery stores and supermarkets, usually in the international or Asian food section.

You should store the mirin at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, once you have brought it home.

As long as you use it quickly, aji-mirin can be stored in the refrigerator.

How Long Does Mirin Last? Does Mirin Go Bad? (Recipe)

PREP TIME

15 minutes

COOK TIME

15 minutes

TOTAL TIME

30 minutes

Ingredients

• Mirin
• Air-tight containers
• Labels and markers

Instructions

• Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
• Check the “Best-by-date” to know when it expires.
• Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
• Always check for signs of spoilage before use.