Miso soup is a wonderful Japanese delicacy, and it is no wonder that you might be thinking about preparing a big batch. However, in that case, it is important to know the answer to the question – “How long does miso soup last?”.
Depending on how you store it, miso soup can last up to about three months (when put in a freezer). However, the most convenient way of storing it is putting the soup into a fridge, and then it should last for about a month. Of course, you can leave it at room temperature for some short periods of time if you need to do so.
Miso Soup Has a Long Shelf Life When Stored in a Refrigeration Unit
This famous Japanese soup is easy to prepare and incredibly healthy. Naturally, as most of the soups are made, you will also probably think about preparing miso soup in advance for more than one meal. The good news is that this dish has a long shelf life when refrigerated, and that is due to its main ingredient Miso, which is a fermented soybean paste with a high level of saltiness. Because of fermentation, this ingredient can’t really become spoiled, and it doesn’t matter whether it is kept at room temperature or in a refrigeration unit.
As a result, the soup can also stay for a long time without becoming spoiled, but due to the cooking process and other ingredients, there is an expiration date depending on how you keep it.
| At room temperature | This is not recommendable unless you plan, for example, to have the soup again for dinner. Still, the soup can turn sour even during that short period of time between lunch and dinner if the room temperature is too high. In some cool rooms like a pantry, the miso soup can theoretically sit for around two or three days, but it isn’t advisable to store it this way. |
| In a refrigerator | This is the most common and convenient way of storing your miso soup, and the good news is that it can sit for around a month without becoming spoiled. There are two important things to know. Don’t place the soup in the refrigerator while it is still warm as it will immediately turn sour, and be sure to close the pot with a lid, as air will induce oxidation over time which significantly shortens the expiration date. The temperature in the fridge should be around 40-45 Fahrenheit (5-6 Celsius). |
| In a freezer | Miso soup can be put in a freezer as well, and if done so, it shouldn’t turn sour even after three months. Simply pour your soup into a container, but be sure that it has completely cooled down before freezing, and be sure that the lid is tightly sealed. Miso soup can often be used as broth for ramen, so people often freeze miso ramen. |
Of course, it cannot be said that miso soup that has been in a refrigeration unit for two weeks has the same level of freshness as the one you cooked today. However, you can retain freshness by adding additional ingredients like wakame, tofu, or seaweed before putting the soup in the fridge.
How to Know if Miso Soup Has Spoiled?
Unfortunately, if your soup has gone bad, the changes are more than noticeable, and here are the clear indicators when you shouldn’t eat miso soup anymore:
- The first indicator is the smell. Miso soup has a sweet, pleasant aroma, and if it turns sour, the smell will become rank and nauseating.
- The color of the broth should be light and transparent, not murky or cloudy. Also, the texture of the broth should be smooth. If you notice any lumps, this is a sign that it is no longer safe to eat.
- If the soup has been in a fridge for a long time without a lid, it will turn almost white, which is another bad sign.
Miso Soup Is Easy to Prepare and Even Easier to Store
Miso soup can be eaten for any occasion as it is light and healthy. Whether you need something warm during winter or a traditional appetizer before a Japanese Wagyu burger, this dish will be a great choice. You can easily prepare it as the Miso ingredient is nowadays available in all better-equipped supermarkets, and what is important, it has a long shelf life, so it can be a great addition to your diet.