Does Vinegar Ever Go Bad?
Key Points
- And it’s not unusual for vinegar to develop a haze or sediment, or to change color, after it has been stored for some time, says the Institute
- Those changes in appearance do not make the vinegar unsafe to use, it adds
- To help keep vinegar at its best, store it in a cool, dark area and keep it tightly capped after each use
Overview
Your vinegar should be fine, provided you’ve been storing it properly. From a safety standpoint, commercially produced vinegar has a virtually indefinite shelf life, says the Vinegar Institute, an association that represents most of the world’s largest vinegar manufacturers. And it’s not unusual for vinegar to develop a haze or sediment, or to change color, after it has been stored for some time, says the Institute. Those changes in appearance do not make the vinegar unsafe to use, it adds. From a quality standpoint, though, prolonged storage can affect both the appearance and the flavor of many vinegars. In the case of opened wine vinegar, you’ll likely start to see at least some quality deterioration after a couple of years. To help keep vinegar at its best, store it in a cool, dark area and keep it tightly capped after each use.Long-Lasting Produce Stock up and enjoy Your Questions Answered Steak that's changed color
Key Points
- And it’s not unusual for vinegar to develop a haze or sediment, or to change color, after it has been stored for some time, says the Institute
- Those changes in appearance do not make the vinegar unsafe to use, it adds
- To help keep vinegar at its best, store it in a cool, dark area and keep it tightly capped after each use
Related Foods
This information applies to: beef, chicken, cranberry, eggs, ground beef, hamburger, pie, potatoes, salad, shrimp, spices, steak, stuffing, turkey, vinegar
Tags
cooking expiration freezing leftovers refrigeration safety storage thawing