How Long Does Oil Last?

How long does oil last? The shelf life of oil depends on the best before date and how it is stored. Many people ask "does oil go bad"? Although they do tend to last longer than their best before dates, the answer to does oil go bad is most definitely "yes"!

Oils are extracted from various plants - either from fruits as in olive, vegetables as in corn, seeds as in sunflower, or nuts as in peanut.

So, how long does oil last? When properly stored, the shelf life of oil past its best before date is ...

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Oil Expiration Date

(Unopened) Pantry Fridge
Avocado Oil lasts for 9-12 Months 1 Year
Blended Oil lasts for 2 Years --
Canola Oil lasts for 2 Years --
Coconut Oil lasts for Months-Years --
Corn Oil lasts for 1 Year 1 Year
Chili Oil lasts for 9-12 Months 1 Year
EVOO(Extra Virgin Olive) lasts for 2-3 Years --
Grape Seed Oil lasts for 3 Months 6 Months
Hazelnut Oil lasts for 1 Year 1 Year
Macadamia Nut Oil lasts for 2 Years 2-3 Years
Olive Oil lasts for 2-3 Years --
Peanut Oil lasts for 3 Years 3 Years
Sesame Oil lasts for 1 Years 2 Years
Safflower Oil lasts for 2 Years 2 Years
Sunflower Oil lasts for 2 Years 2 Years
Truffle Oil lasts for 1 Year 1 Year
Vegetable Oil lasts for 1 Year 1 Year
Walnut Oil lasts for 1 Year 1 Year
(Opened) Pantry Fridge
Avocado Oil lasts for 6-8 Months 9-12 Months
Blended Oil lasts for 1 Year 1 Year
Canola Oil lasts for 1 Year 1 Year
Coconut Oil lasts for Month-Years --
Corn Oil lasts for 1 Year 1 Year
Chili Oil lasts for 6 Months 1 Year
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) lasts for 2-3 Years --
Grape Seed Oil lasts for 3 Months 6 Months
Hazelnut Oil lasts for 3 Months 9-12 Months
Macadamia Nut Oil lasts for 2 Years 2-3 Years
Olive Oil lasts for 2-3 Years --
Peanut Oil lasts for 2 Years 2 Years
Sesame Oil lasts for 6-8 Months 2 Years
Safflower Oil lasts for 1 Year 1-2 Years
Sunflower Oil lasts for 1 Year 1-2 Years
Truffle Oil lasts for 4-6 Months 6-8 Months
Vegetable Oil lasts for 1 Year --
Walnut Oil lasts for 3-4 Months 6-8 Months
Spray Oil Can lasts for 2 Years --

But remember that oil, like a lot of other condiments, usually has a best before date and not a use by date or an expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use it for your salads or baking needs after the best before date has lapsed.

How to tell if Oil is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

The color, texture and clarity of the product may change with age. But when the fats begin to go rancid, the oil goes bad and an unpleasant odor and taste develops. If a wine taste or smell develops, it was probably not sealed properly and the oil has gone bad.

Olive Oil is best within a year of pressing, the flavor will not be as pleasant after that point but it will not become harmful.

*Flavored olive oils, on the other hand, may contain other ingredients which may become rancid with time or require refrigeration so please read and follow labels carefully for flavored oils.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Oil to extend its shelf life?

The best way to store oils is in their original air tight containers in a cool dark place like the pantry, away from the stove and other appliances. After opening most are fine in the pantry, but many will live a longer shelf life if they are refrigerated. They may become cloudy and solidify in the fridge, but leave them at room temperature for a short time before use and they will again liquify.

Olive and vegetable oils are best left in the pantry while avocado, hazelnut, sesame and walnut oils are best kept in the fridge.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

How long is Oil good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does oil last? That depends. How long do eggs last? In general, it will be one of the last expiring ingredients in any dish, soaking into any other ingredient.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Oil lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Oil.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Oil shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!

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