Like a lot of other condiments, it may have a best before date but not a use by date or expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use vinegar for your salads, baking, canning or even cleaning needs (white vinegar) after the best before date has lapsed according to the above table.

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

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

Through numerous studies, the Vinegar Institute confirmed that vinegars shelf life is almost indefinite. Which means that white vinegar does not go bad! This is because it is acidic by nature, thus it is self-preserving and does not require refrigeration. White distilled vinegar will remain basically unchanged over an extended period of time. This white variety can still safely be used for all purposes beyond any date.

While in all other types, some changes may be observed such as a development of a haze, sediment, cloudiness or altered color. These are usually aesthetic only changes. Flavored varieties, depending on what ingredients have been added to the bottle, you may want to replace after 5-10 years instead of consuming.

It should be noted that while vinegar does extend the shelf life of other foods, these other foods are never extended forever. [1]

Has your vinegar gone bad? Old product may begin to have a dusty type settlement in the bottom of the jar or a cloudy appearance. Although it will not be harmful to consume, the flavor may be slightly compromised after 5-10 years because of the added ingredients.

If your vinegar has gone bad (whether it be raspberry, champagne, cider or another type) then search our vinegar substitute table to find the proper substitute for your purpose.

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 Vinegar to extend its shelf life?

The best way to store it is in its original air tight container in a cool dark place like the pantry, away from heat sources. A constant temperature is also best for any food or drink product, so store it away from the stove or dishwasher where it may become constantly heated and then cooled back down again.

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

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

How long does vinegar last? That depends. How long do eggs last? In general, it will be the longest lasting ingredient in any dish, soaking into the other ingredients.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Vinegar 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 Vinegar.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Vinegar 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!