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Does vinegar go bad? Not according to the Vinegar Institute, which asserts that the shelf life of most vinegar is virtually indefinite. The acetic acid in most kinds of vinegar makes them both self-preserving and capable of preserving other foods. (Regular blog readers will also know that vinegar’s usefulness extends to cleaning, beauty, hygiene, and other areas!)
If properly stored, distilled white vinegar will remain unchanged over time, while other types of vinegar (including wine vinegar, rice vinegar, and apple cider vinegar) may change in color and appearance. According to the Vinegar Institute, changes in appearance are mainly aesthetic and the vinegar is still safe to use.
If vinegar is one of the foods with the longest shelf life and doesn’t go bad, you might wonder why the bottle or container it comes in bears an expiration date. I was curious about that myself, so I did some digging to figure out all there is to know about the shelf life of vinegar!
Table Of Contents
Common Dates On Food Packaging
Four types of dates are commonly printed on food packaging, including:
- Sell-By Date – Tells the seller the latest date they should display or sell the product
- Use-By Date – Tells the consumer when the product will peak in quality, as predicted by the manufacturer
- “Best If Used By” Date – Tells the consumer the latest date the product will be at peak flavor, texture, or quality
- Closed-By or Coded Dates – Used by manufacturers to convey information about production or packing
The most interesting thing to note about these dates is that none are expiration dates. In fact, the FDA allows almost any food to be sold past these dates. That means if you’re shopping for vinegar and see a bottle marked with a date in the near future, there’s no reason not to buy it.
Food manufacturers decide which dates will appear on their packaging, and for those that use use-by dates, that date is often just an educated guess. But don’t underestimate your senses — they’re some of your best tools for determining if foods are okay to eat! (For instance, peanut butter can be eaten after the date on the jar, as long as it looks and smells okay!)
Types Of Vinegar And Their Shelf Life
So how long does vinegar last? The table below summarizes the common types of vinegar and their shelf life. (As I mentioned earlier, vinegar doesn’t typically go bad, but it may not be as fresh or flavorful after the dates indicated below.)
| Type | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Apple cider vinegar | 2-3 years |
| Malt vinegar | 2-3 years |
| Red wine vinegar | 2 years |
| Rice vinegar | 8 months to 2 years |
| Balsamic vinegar | 3-5 years |
| Sherry vinegar | 2 years |
| Champagne vinegar | 2-5 years |
| White vinegar | 5 years |
You’ll find more detailed explanations about the shelf lives of various types of vinegar below.
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Go Bad?
Apple cider vinegar, which is made from fermented apples, often changes in appearance over time. It can change color, become hazy or cloudy, or develop a layer of sediment at the bottom
These changes are often a result of exposure to oxygen, and it doesn’t mean the vinegar has been spoiled. In terms of its shelf life, apple cider vinegar lasts about three years, but can be used almost indefinitely.
Does Rice Wine Vinegar Go Bad?
Rice wine vinegar also has an indefinite shelf life, but after a couple of years, further fermentation may change its flavor somewhat. Once you open it, it should remain unchanged over an extended period — about two years — but even if you experience aesthetic changes, it’s not gone bad.
Does Malt Vinegar Go Bad?
Like other types of vinegar, malt vinegar is acidic enough to make bacterial and microorganism growth extremely unlikely. However, you might notice a few changes to its appearance and flavor over time, whether due to evaporation, oxidation, or sediment.
Even with these aesthetic changes, malt vinegar is safe to consume almost indefinitely. For the best flavor, consider using malt vinegar within two to five years.
Does Sherry Vinegar Go Bad?
Sherry vinegar is a wine vinegar made from sherry and is popular in cooking. Its flavor may mellow over time once you’ve opened it, but you can expect it to maintain its original quality for around two to five years.
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Sherry vinegar is safe to consume indefinitely and doesn’t go bad. It may develop sediment or oxidize, like other vinegar, but it remains safe to use.
Does Balsamic Vinegar Go Bad?
Balsamic vinegar will maintain its delicious flavor and acidity for three to five years. It will still be safe to use and eat after that, but its flavor and appearance may change a bit. (When you buy balsamic vinegar — or any other vinegar for that matter — make sure the only ingredient is vinegar if you know you’re going to be using it for a while!)
Does Red Wine Vinegar Expire?
As delicious as a condiment as it is in salad dressings, red wine vinegar is a pantry staple with a long shelf life. It may change color or become cloudy after a few years, but red wine vinegar does not expire or go bad.
Does Champagne Vinegar Go Bad?
Like other types of wine vinegar, champagne vinegar is best when used within two to three years. But even after that point, it will remain safe to consume!
What Else Can You Do With Vinegar?
In addition to its long shelf life, vinegar has so many uses around the house that buying it in bulk can save you a lot of money. I hate wasting food and money, and I know the gallon-sized jugs of vinegar I get at Costco won’t go to waste!
Vinegar makes getting pet stains out of the carpet nearly effortless and it’s one of the primary ingredients in many of my favorite homemade cleaning products. Vinegar truly is a wonder — you can use it to clean your electric kettle, kill weeds, clean suede shoes, and much more!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I Use Expired Vinegar?
Yep! Even if the expiration date on your vinegar bottle has come and gone, that doesn’t mean it’s bad or spoiled. You may notice aesthetic changes or diminished flavor over time, but it’s still good for you to consume!
Does Vinegar Need To Be Refrigerated After Opening?
No. Vinegar is acidic enough to act as a natural preservative, so it doesn’t need to be refrigerated after opening. (You certainly can refrigerate vinegar, though — refrigeration can help preserve the delicate flavors of artisanal vinegar.)
How Should I Store Vinegar After Opening?
After opening, store vinegar in a cool, dry, dark place, like a cupboard or pantry. Keep the lid tightly closed to prevent evaporation and contamination.
Conclusion
Even if the date on your vinegar has long since passed, there’s no need to worry — it’s perfectly safe to consume vinegar after the expiration date. So go ahead and stock up on vinegar — just store it in a cool, dark place and it will keep indefinitely!
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What’s your favorite kind of vinegar?
