Flavored vinegars can add a punch of flavor to salads, marinades, and other dishes. But like all perishable foods, they have a limited shelf life. So how long does a bottle of flavored vinegar actually last in your pantry?
Quick Answers
Unopened flavored vinegars can be stored in a cool, dark place for 1-2 years. Once opened, they’ll last 6-12 months in the pantry before going bad. Keeping them refrigerated can extend their shelf life by another 6-12 months. Here are some quick answers about how long common flavored vinegars last:
- Unopened balsamic vinegar: 2 years
- Opened balsamic vinegar: 1 year
- Unopened white wine vinegar: 2 years
- Opened white wine vinegar: 1 year
- Unopened red wine vinegar: 2 years
- Opened red wine vinegar: 1 year
- Unopened rice vinegar: 2 years
- Opened rice vinegar: 1 year
- Unopened apple cider vinegar: Indefinite
- Opened apple cider vinegar: 1-2 years
- Unopened fruit-infused vinegar: 1-2 years
- Opened fruit-infused vinegar: 6-12 months
- Unopened herb-infused vinegar: 1-2 years
- Opened herb-infused vinegar: 6-12 months
Shelf Life of Common Flavored Vinegars
Here is more detail on how long you can expect some popular flavored vinegars to last:
Balsamic Vinegar
An unopened bottle of balsamic vinegar will stay fresh for 1-2 years past its printed expiration date if stored properly. Once opened, it will keep for about 1 year before deteriorating in quality. The exceptions are artisan aged balsamic vinegars, which can be kept for many years as long as they are sealed tightly.
White Wine Vinegar
Like balsamic, unopened white wine vinegar keeps for 1-2 years past its printed date. Opened white wine vinegar will start to lose its bright, tangy flavor after about a year. It may still be safe to consume after that point, but the quality and taste will decline noticeably.
Red Wine Vinegar
Properly stored, unopened red wine vinegar keeps well for 1-2 years past the printed expiration date. Once opened, it should be used within 12 months. The vinegar may start turning brownish, developing sediment, and losing its robust flavor as it oxidizes over time.
Rice Vinegar
Unopened rice vinegar keeps even longer than wine vinegars, staying fresh for 2-3 years past its printed date. Opened bottles should be used within 12 months for peak flavor. Rice vinegar may start to develop a muddy color or strange taste as it ages beyond its prime.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Thanks to its acidic nature, unopened apple cider vinegar has an almost indefinite shelf life. It will stay good for 3-5 years after the printed expiration date. Once opened, apple cider vinegar keeps for 1-2 years before going bad. When stored for a long time, it may start to develop cloudiness and sediment.
Fruit-Infused Vinegar
The shelf life of fruit-infused vinegars depends on the type of vinegar used as the base. Unopened fruit vinegars keep for 1-2 years past the printed date. Once opened, they should be used within 6-12 months. The fruit flavor and aroma tend to fade over time.
Herb-Infused Vinegar
Like fruit vinegars, herb-infused vinegars can be kept unopened for 1-2 years past the printed date. Opened bottles should be used within 6-12 months. The vibrant herbal flavors tend to dissipate as the vinegar ages.
How to Tell if Flavored Vinegar Has Gone Bad
Here are some signs that your flavored vinegar has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Visible mold growth
- Cloudy appearance
- Off odors
- Sour or unpleasant taste
- Grainy or stringy texture
- Sediment in the bottle
A bottle of flavored vinegar may be past its prime quality but still safe to consume if it just has some fading aroma, a bit of cloudiness, or only minor sediment. But if you notice any of the more extreme signs of spoilage listed above, it’s best to throw it out.
How to Store Flavored Vinegars Properly
To get the maximum shelf life out of your flavored vinegars, store them properly:
- Keep bottles sealed tightly.
- Store them in a cool, dry place away from heat and light.
- Refrigerate after opening to prolong freshness.
- Keep herb and fruit-infused vinegars completely submerged if possible.
- Don’t let opened vinegar touch metal lids or utensils.
- Don’t decant flavored vinegars into decorative containers. Keep them in the original packaging.
Does Flavored Vinegar Go Bad or Expire?
Yes, flavored vinegars do eventually expire and go bad once the vinegar base starts to oxidize and degrade. However, unopened flavored vinegars tend to remain good for 1-2 years past their printed expiration date if stored properly. Here’s a table summarizing how long different types of flavored vinegars last:
| Vinegar Type | Unopened | Opened |
|---|---|---|
| Balsamic | 2 years past date | 1 year |
| White wine | 2 years past date | 1 year |
| Red wine | 2 years past date | 1 year |
| Rice | 2-3 years past date | 1 year |
| Apple cider | Indefinite | 1-2 years |
| Fruit-infused | 1-2 years past date | 6-12 months |
| Herb-infused | 1-2 years past date | 6-12 months |
Can You Eat Flavored Vinegar Past Its Expiration Date?
It’s generally not recommended to consume flavored vinegar that is more than 1-2 years past its printed expiration date, even if the bottle is unopened. At that point, the risk of deterioration, oxidization, and spoilage becomes too high. Once opened, flavored vinegars should be tossed when they are about 6-12 months past their expiration date for best quality and safety.
That being said, some people do eat very old vinegars that have been stored properly and show no major signs of spoilage. The high acidity helps preserve vinegar for longer. But there is no guarantee about the quality or safety of a vinegar that is multiple years expired, so it’s better to err on the side of caution and discard extremely aged vinegars.
Can You Freeze Flavored Vinegar?
Most flavored vinegars can be frozen to prolong their shelf life. Make sure to leave some headspace in the container, as vinegar will expand when frozen. Thaw frozen flavored vinegars in the refrigerator before using. Freezing can extend the shelf life of an opened flavored vinegar by 6-12 months past its regular refrigerated lifespan.
Some vinegar pros recommend against freezing balsamic vinegar, as the freezing process may impact the texture and flavor. But other types of flavored vinegar freeze reasonably well. Just be aware that freezing can’t prolong the lifespan of a flavored vinegar indefinitely. Use frozen vinegars within about a year for best quality.
Conclusion
With proper storage techniques, most unopened flavored vinegars stay fresh 1-2 years past their printed expiration date, with apple cider vinegar lasting even longer. Once opened, flavored vinegars keep best for about 6-12 months in the pantry or up to 1-2 years refrigerated. Check for signs of cloudiness, texture changes, sediment, or off odors and flavors before consuming aged vinegars. Discard any flavored vinegar that shows major indications of spoilage.
