A Guide to Storing Miso Paste in the Fridge and Freezer

Wondering how to store miso paste? This guide covers the best ways to keep miso fresh in the fridge or freezer, plus easy tips to maintain its flavor for longer. Enjoy cooking with miso without worrying about storage!

Miso Paste

Miso paste is a traditional Japanese condiment made from fermenting soybeans, koji, and salt. It adds a complex and unique umami flavor not only to miso soup but also to dressings, stir-fry sauces, and various dishes. To learn more, check out “What Is Miso Paste and How To Use It: A Beginner’s Guide.”

Storing Miso Paste in the Fridge

Miso can be stored at room temperature, but it’s sensitive to humidity and temperature changes, which can darken its color. Keeping it in the fridge is the best way to maintain its freshness and flavor.

How to store: Use an airtight container to keep miso fresh.
Tips to prevent drying out: Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface.
How long it lasts in the fridge: Generally stays fresh for months.

Airtight Container for Miso Paste

Miso typically comes in sizes ranging from 500g to 1kg, which can be relatively heavy. I recommend using a container with a handle for easier handling and storage in the refrigerator.

The Noda Horo storage container with a handle is perfect for this, as it makes it easy to put miso in and take it out of the fridge. Additionally, store-bought miso usually comes in square plastic containers that fit perfectly in this storage container.

Storing Miso Paste in the Freezer

Freezing miso is a great way to keep it fresh if you don’t use it often. It helps preserve the flavor by pausing fermentation and preventing any changes in taste. Also, miso doesn’t fully freeze because it has very little water and a high salt content. Even straight from the freezer, it stays soft enough to scoop—no thawing needed!

Why freeze miso? Perfect for long-term storage when you don’t use it regularly.
How to freeze: Keep it in its original packaging, a freezer-safe container, or a freezer bag.
Thawing frozen miso: Miso contains minimal water, so it won’t fully freeze in a standard freezer (around -5℃ to -15℃). This keeps it soft and easy to scoop, so you can use what you need without thawing the entire container.
How long it lasts in the freezer: It stays fresh for up to a couple of years.

How Long Does Miso Paste Last?

Miso has a long shelf life, typically lasting 3 to 12 months. It’s due to its high salt content, which acts as a natural preservative. While it’s best used by the expiration date, miso often remains safe and flavorful beyond that, especially if stored in the refrigerator. With proper storage, it can still be enjoyed up to a year past the expiration date.

However, low-salt miso (like sweet white miso) or processed varieties that contain soup stock may spoil more quickly. For more details on miso paste’s shelf life, signs of spoilage, and so on, check out Does Miso Paste Go Bad?