Balsamic vinegar, the dark, syrupy Italian vinegar, is a staple in many kitchens. Its rich, complex flavor is perfect for salad dressings, marinades, dips and more. But once you open a bottle of balsamic vinegar, how long will it keep before going bad?
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about how long balsamic vinegar lasts:
- Unopened balsamic vinegar lasts 2+ years past the printed expiration date.
- Once opened, balsamic vinegar lasts 3-4 years stored at room temperature.
- Look for signs of spoilage like mold, off smells or flavors, sediment, or cloudiness.
- Store opened balsamic vinegar tightly sealed at room temperature away from light.
- Refrigeration can cause thickening and clouding but won’t make it spoil faster.
How to Tell if Balsamic Vinegar is Bad
Because balsamic vinegar has a long shelf life after opening, you can’t always rely on the expiration or best-by date on the bottle. Here are some signs that indicate your opened balsamic vinegar has gone bad and needs to be discarded:
- Appearance: Mold growing in the bottle, sediment at the bottom, thickening or clouding are indicators of spoilage.
- Smell: Balsamic vinegar that has gone rancid will have an off smell that is not the sweet, tart aroma it should have.
- Taste: If your balsamic tastes more sour than usual or has any off flavors, it may be time to get rid of it.
Trust your senses – if anything seems off with the look, smell or taste of your balsamic vinegar, don’t risk getting sick and throw it out.
Shelf Life of Unopened Balsamic Vinegar
An unopened, properly stored bottle of balsamic vinegar has an incredibly long shelf life. Here’s how long it lasts:
- Unrefrigerated: 2 years or more past the printed expiration date on the bottle.
- Refrigerated: Practically indefinite – it will remain good for 5+ years stored in the fridge.
The expiration date is mostly for quality purposes, not safety, so you don’t have to strictly abide by it. As long as your unopened balsamic vinegar was produced by a reputable manufacturer and stored properly, it will maintain quality and remain safe to consume for at least a couple years past any date on the bottle.
How Long Does Opened Balsamic Vinegar Last?
Once opened, balsamic vinegar will last:
- 3-4 years past the printed expiration date or best by date, if stored properly.
- Indefinitely if transferred to a non-reactive airtight container and stored properly.
The enemies of vinegar are air, light, and heat. As long as you store your opened balsamic vinegar in a cool, dark place in an airtight container, it will stay good for several years at room temperature.
Does Refrigeration Extend the Shelf Life?
Refrigeration can extend the shelf life of an opened bottle, but it is not required. The cool temperature of the fridge will slow down the chemical reactions that cause food to spoil. However, refrigeration can cause the vinegar to become cloudy or thickened.
If you notice any cloudiness or thickness, simply leave the vinegar at room temperature for a few days and it should clear up and return to normal consistency. The texture change does not affect the safety or taste.
So while refrigeration can technically keep opened balsamic vinegar good for longer, it is not necessary for food safety reasons if stored properly at room temperature.
How to Store Balsamic Vinegar After Opening
To get the most shelf life out of your opened balsamic vinegar, store it properly using these tips:
- Keep it tightly sealed in the original bottle or transfer to an airtight non-reactive container like glass or ceramic.
- Store in a cool, dark pantry away from heat and light sources.
- Keep away from the stove to avoid temperature fluctuations.
- Wipe down the bottle to avoid any drips or spills attracting bugs.
- If fridge storage causes cloudiness, leave it on the counter for a few days until clear again.
Signs Your Opened Balsamic Vinegar Has Gone Bad
Here are some signs that your opened balsamic vinegar has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Mold growing in the bottle
- Bubbles or effervescence
- Strange smell like acetone/nail polish
- Off flavors that are unpleasantly musty or sharp
- Cloudy appearance and/or sediment
When properly stored, opened balsamic vinegar can keep for up to 4 years. But if you notice any signs of spoilage, don’t risk getting sick – toss it!
Can You Freeze Balsamic Vinegar?
Freezing is not recommended for balsamic vinegar. The freezing temperature can damage the flavor and texture:
- Acidity will become muted, resulting in flat or off-tasting vinegar.
- Sugars and viscosity are altered by freezing.
- May take on a medicinal smell and taste.
- Can become separated with an oily layer on top.
For best quality and safety, store your balsamic vinegar in the fridge or pantry instead of freezing it.
Can Balsamic Vinegar Expire or Go Bad?
Yes, even with its long shelf life after opening, balsamic vinegar can eventually expire or go bad. Here are some things that can cause it to spoil:
- Improper storage – Exposing it to air, light, or temperature fluctuations speeds up spoilage.
- Yeast buildup – Vinegar naturally contains yeast bacteria, which converts alcohol to acetic acid. Too much yeast growth can cause spoilage.
- Oxidation – Exposure to oxygen can cause chemical changes leading to sour taste and aroma.
- Contamination – Dirt, debris, or other food can introduce bacteria and mold.
As long as you store your balsamic vinegar properly in a cool, dark location in an airtight bottle, it will resist spoilage and stay good for several years past its printed expiration date.
What Happens If You Ingest Expired Balsamic Vinegar?
Consuming expired balsamic vinegar that has been stored properly is generally not dangerous. At worst, it may just have some flavor defects like:
- Muted acidity
- Musty, oily aroma
- Flat, unbalanced flavor
- Metallic or medicinal aftertaste
However, if the expired vinegar was not stored properly and has developed mold, bacteria, or yeast overgrowth, then ingesting it could potentially cause illness. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
To avoid health issues, inspect your expired balsamic vinegar closely and never consume if you see sediment, sliminess, cloudiness, or any other signs of contamination or spoilage.
FAQs
Does balsamic vinegar need to be refrigerated?
No, refrigeration is not required since balsamic vinegar is shelf-stable. However, refrigeration can help extend its shelf life after opening by slowing down chemical reactions.
Can balsamic vinegar go bad or is it immortal?
Balsamic vinegar can go bad eventually if not stored properly. It has a very long shelf life of about 3-4 years after opening due to its acidity and low pH, but it is not immortal.
Can expired balsamic vinegar make you sick?
Consuming expired balsamic vinegar that was stored properly is unlikely to make you sick. But vinegar that has developed mold, bacteria or yeast due to improper storage can potentially cause illness if ingested.
How do you restore thickened balsamic vinegar?
To fix thickened balsamic vinegar, simply leave the bottle at room temperature uncovered for 1-2 days until it returns to the proper consistency. The thickness is caused by refrigeration but does not affect the safety or taste.
How long does homemade balsamic vinegar last?
Homemade balsamic vinegar will last up to 1 year stored in a cool, dark place in an airtight bottle. Refrigeration can extend the shelf life up to 2 years. Look for any signs of mold, haze, or off-flavors indicating spoilage before consumption.
Summary
An unopened bottle of balsamic vinegar will stay good for over 2 years past the printed expiration date if stored at room temperature, or indefinitely if refrigerated. Once opened, balsamic vinegar has a shelf life of 3-4 years stored in a cool, dark pantry, or even longer if transferred to an airtight container.
Signs that your opened balsamic vinegar has gone bad include mold, cloudiness, sediment, bubbles, strange odors or flavors. As long as you keep it tightly sealed in a stable environment away from light and heat, it can maintain quality and freshness for several years past the printed best by date.
Trust your eyes and nose – if anything seems off with your opened balsamic vinegar, it’s better to be safe and throw it out. With proper storage, you can enjoy delicious balsamic vinegar long after opening the bottle!
