How Long Does Balsamic Vinegar Last?
How long does balsamic vinegar last? Properly stored, at room temperature, tightly sealed vinegar will be good for use for about 3 years.
Although you can see the expiry date on the bottle of balsamic vinegar, many people are not sure for how long they can use that vinegar or how to recognize if it has gone bad.
Balsamic vinegar is made of grape must. It has an intense flavor and contains no fat and almost no sugar. There are many proven health benefits to using balsamic vinegar in your meals. Balsamic vinegar is great as a salad dressing when combined with olive oil and can be used in a marinade for roasted meats.
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How Long Does Balsamic Vinegar Last?
When you buy commercial balsamic vinegar in the store, the expiry date is usually 3 years after the production. However, even after 5 years, you can use the same balsamic vinegar, it won’t go bad, but it might use its flavor, change its color, and show a bit of stringy sediment.
The quality of balsamic vinegar also determines how long you will be able to use it. High-quality vinegar will keep its properties longer than low-quality one, and you will be able to use it for more than 5 years.
Homemade traditional balsamic vinegar can last even longer. For example, it is said when a daughter is born in some Italian regions, a bottle of balsamic vinegar is made. Then, that bottle gets opened when the daughter grows up and gets married. By that time, balsamic vinegar is considered to be well-aged.
How Long Does Balsamic Vinegar Last After Opening?
This depends on how you store balsamic vinegar after opening. If you store it in a cold and dark place, it will last longer, probably even after the expiry date. However, if you store it at room temperature and in a place with lots of light, it can go bad pretty fast, even before the expiry date.
How Long Does Balsamic Vinegar Last In The Refrigerator?
If you decide to store balsamic vinegar in the refrigerator, it should last you even after the expiry date. In general, it is safe to say that you would be able to use that bottle of balsamic vinegar for 3-5 years.
You can also try and freeze balsamic vinegar. However, that won’t make it last much longer than in the refrigerator, and it will take up freezer space that could be used to store something else.
How Long Does Balsamic Vinegar Last At Room Temperature?
Storing balsamic vinegar at room temperature doesn’t necessarily mean that the vinegar will get bad, but it will lose its flavor, texture, color, and overall quality. It will still be safe for consumption, but it won’t be as good as it was.
If, for some reason, you can’t refrigerate your balsamic vinegar, at least try to store it on a
dark cupboard
How Long Does Balsamic Vinegar Last Past Expiration Date?
In general, the shelf life of a balsamic vinegar bottle is 3-5 years. However, if you have your balsamic vinegar stored properly, it can last even long past the expiration date, for many years, even forever!
Does Balsamic Vinegar Last Forever?
If you wonder, “does the balsamic vinegar go bad” the answer is no. Balsamic vinegar is safe for consumption indefinitely. That means you can use it forever in your meals, but after several years, it can use its properties, such as flavor, color, and texture. You won’t get food poisoning if you use balsamic vinegar that has been sitting in your fridge for 10 years, but it won’t be as tasty as the fresh bottle.
In Italy, traditionally-made balsamic vinegar is often stored in wooden barrels for 12 and more years without losing its quality. On the contrary, with age, such vinegar gets better.
However, some low-quality balsamic vinegars are made of red wine vinegar and grape juice flavor instead of real grape must. They will last you much shorter than the real balsamic vinegar.
What Happens When Balsamic Vinegar Goes Bad?
When balsamic vinegar goes bad, it doesn’t become dangerous for consumption, but it has reduced quality. It loses its distinct flavor, color, and texture. However, if you are using balsamic vinegar that’s not authentic, it can actually go bad and stop being safe for consumption.
How Do You Know If Balsamic Vinegar Has Gone Bad?
If the vinegar tastes weird, or you see mold emerging on the surface, throw it away. Also, try to smell it before use. If it smells rancid, you should throw it away. If there are other substantial changes in texture or color (you see a lot of sedimentation, or the vinegar becomes dark and cloudy), you shouldn’t risk ingesting it.
Does Balsamic Vinegar Really Go Bad?
A good quality balsamic vinegar won’t ever go bad, especially when stored properly – in a cold and dark place. Low-quality vinegar can go bad when stored in a warm place with lots of light for prolonged periods of time.
Does Balsamic Vinaigrette Need To Be Refrigerated After Opening?
It is advised that you refrigerate balsamic vinaigrette after opening. You should also make sure that you close it tightly after each use. If you don’t have enough place in your fridge, or there is another reason why you can’t refrigerate your balsamic vinaigrette after opening, you should store it on a dark cupboard or another similar cold and dark spot.
Summary
Now you know how long does balsamic vinegar lasts. The typical shelf life of balsamic vinegar is 3-5 years, but you can also use it long past the expiry date, especially if you are using high-quality balsamic vinegar. Such high-quality vinegar should forever stay safe for use, but it can lose its quality after several years.
Last but not least, try to store balsamic vinegar in your fridge or other cold and dark place.
