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

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

You can elevate your dishes with oyster sauce, one of the most savory condiments out there.

Whether you are cooking stir-fried vegetables, grilling meat, or frying noodles, the oyster sauce can enhance the flavor of any dish.

Did you know this Chinese staple condiment actually originated from an accident in the kitchen? The invention was credited to Lee Kum Sheung in 1888, according to Wikipedia.

While cooking his usual oyster dish, he lost track of time and left the oysters to simmer for too long. Suddenly, he smelled a strong aroma coming from the dish.

Upon checking the oysters, he discovered a thick, brownish sauce with a delicious taste; Oyster Sauce.

People mostly wonder about oyster sauce’s shelf life, despite its popularity as a sweet-savory condiment.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re wondering what the shelf life of oyster sauce is.

You can learn more about the shelf life, expiration date, and storage of oyster sauce by reading on!

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

The short answer to the above question would be yes, the oyster sauce does go bad. Unlike other condiments, the oyster sauce can be used even after its best date.

Check the best before date on the manufacturer’s label when it comes to storing oyster sauce. The reason for this is that oyster sauce is made using different methods by different manufacturers. Therefore, they will have different shelf lives and storage needs.

It is also important to consider the quality of your oyster sauce when determining its shelf life. It is possible to store the oyster sauce in its original packaging for up to a year past its best-before date (as long as you store it correctly). The quality of the product comes into play once it has been opened.

You should be able to keep the oyster sauce for longer if it is of good quality. In any case, if you’re not sure how good your oyster sauce is, it is best to use it within six months.

It should be noted that this is merely a general estimate. A cool, dark place away from sunlight is the best place to store the unopened oyster sauce for a year or even longer. A pantry or refrigerator is a good place to store oyster sauce that has not been opened.

Open oyster sauce, on the other hand, has a shelf life of up to six months. If you have opened oyster sauce, store it in the refrigerator.

It is also a good idea to store the sauce in its original bottle, which should be completely sealed. Before storing the sauce in the refrigerator, transfer the remaining sauce into an airtight container.

How to Tell if Oyster Sauce is Bad?

Your oyster sauce will eventually become rancid when it loses its quality over time. As a safe benchmark, use the best before date.

Oyster sauce will retain its best quality before it reaches its best-before date. Once the sauce has crossed its best before the date, its quality will begin to deteriorate.

It is not only unhealthy to consume rancid oyster sauce, but it will also ruin the taste of your dishes. As with any rancid food, eating meals cooked in the bad oyster sauce will result in food poisoning.

What is the best way to tell if the oyster sauce has gone bad? How do we know when to throw something away?

It’s quite easy. For the rancid oyster sauce, you can check for spoilage by using your sense of sight and smell.

• The darkening of the color of oyster sauce is a sign that it has lost its quality. Furthermore, the flavor becomes stronger as well. The oxidation process is to blame for this.
• It is obvious that your oyster sauce is rancid when you see a separate layer of liquid on top.
• In addition to color changes and liquid separation, the bad oyster sauce may also develop mold.
• Oyster sauce may still be used despite color changes, as long as it does not emit a foul odor.

Conclusion

Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Khmer, and Malay cuisines often use oyster sauce as a condiment. A savory flavor can be added to all your dishes with oyster sauce. Besides that, oyster sauce is also a great dip and topping.

This delicious condiment can also be made quite easily. In this case, you can choose homemade oyster sauce if you do not want to buy it from the supermarket.

When you are done using your oyster sauce, make sure to store it in the refrigerator. You can store the unopened oyster sauce in your pantry away from direct heat.

Sight and smell are easy ways to determine if the oyster sauce has gone bad. Make sure that there is no liquid separation on the surface, no mold development, and no foul odor.

How Long Does Oyster Sauce Last? Does Oyster Sauce Go Bad? (Recipe)

PREP TIME

15 minutes

COOK TIME

15 minutes

TOTAL TIME

30 minutes

Ingredients

• Oyster sauce
• Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
• 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.