Want to fry you something but wondering whether the peanut oil in your pantry is still good to use? Well, here is a whole article to clear all your doubts about how long does peanut oil last? Here we go!
An unopened peanut oil bottle can last about 1 to 2 years after surpassing its expiration date. When it comes to the open bottle of peanut oil, it lasts for 6 to 12 months outside.
Unopened peanut oil can last 3 to 4 years when kept in the fridge. An opened bottle of peanut oil can stay in use for 6 to 12 months. Peanut oil, unopened or opened, can last up to one year in the freezer.
Peanut oil is also known as groundnut oil. The light nutty flavor of the oil makes it a good option for baking, frying, and sauteing. It is not only good for cooking purposes but also used as a great ingredient in preparing medicine.
In this article, I am going to tell you about shelf life, signs of spoilage, and easy ways to store peanut oil to extend its lifespan. Let’s get started!
How long does peanut oil last?
Before getting into details, let’s get an idea about the shelf life of the peanut oil from the table.
| Conditions | Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peanut Oil, Opened | 6 to 12 months | 6 to 12 months | 1-year |
| Peanut Oil, Unopened | 1 to 2 years | 3 to 4 years | 1-year |
| Peanut Oil, Used | 2 weeks | 3 months | 1-year |
How long does peanut oil last outside?
As I mentioned, an unopened peanut oil bottle can last about 1 to 2 years after surpassing its expiration date. You can place the store-bought bottle of the oil in the pantry.
When it comes to the open bottle of peanut oil, it lasts for 6 to 12 months outside. But remember to seal the bottle properly to avoid contact with heat, air, and moisture.
The used peanut oil can last for about 2 weeks. Make sure you do not mix the used oil with the unused one to avoid spoilage.
How long does peanut oil last in the fridge?
If you do not use peanut oil frequently, I suggest storing it in the fridge. This will surely help to extend the shelf life of the oil.
Unopened peanut oil can last for about 3 to 4 years when kept in the fridge. It might result in the thick texture of the oil, but it does not negatively impact its quality.
An opened bottle of peanut oil can stay in use for 6 to 12 months. However, I suggest you check the signs of spoilage just to be double sure.
When it comes to used peanut oil, it can last 3 months in the fridge. Just transfer the used oil to an airtight container, and you are good to go.
How long does peanut oil last in the freezer?
Peanut oil can last up to one year in the freezer. This one-year validity applies to both used and unused peanut oil. Keeping it in the freezer can change the aroma and taste of the peanut oil.
If you want to be more precise, you can put a date for placing the oil in the freezer. This will ensure you use it before it gets rancid.
Can you freeze peanut oil?
Yes, you can surely freeze the peanut oil. This will help to increase the shelf life of the oil. Freezing peanut oil is a better option to save it from heat, moisture, and air.
However, refrigerating it is still a better option to keep the peanut oil from getting spoiled.
Does Peanut Oil Go Bad?
Yes, peanut oil does go bad. If not properly stored, it is likely to get spoiled. As long as you properly store the peanut oil using airtight containers, it is good for you.
You must discard it as quickly as possible whenever you find an unpleasant smell, discoloration, cloudy appearance, or off-flavor.
How To Tell If Peanut Oil Is Bad?
Are you wondering whether peanut oil is good for use or not? Here are some signs of spoilage that you must take into consideration to check whether oil is apt for further use.
1. Unpleasant smell
The best way to determine whether your peanut oil has gone bad is by its odor. Due to its frequent exposure to air, water, and heat, the chances of it getting rancid increase.
Originally, peanut oil has a nutty fragrance, but spoiled one smells bitter and gives a metallic aroma. In addition, if you feel that the peanut butter gives an unpleasant smell similar to rotten or fermented fruits, it’s a good time to toss it away.
2. Discoloration
What else is better than detecting spoiled peanut oil by its appearance? Originally, refined peanut oil has a clear or light yellow-golden color in appearance. But the rancid one tends to have a much darker color.
With the passage of time, the color of the oil changes and becomes darker. So, whenever you are going to buy peanut oil, make sure it does not have a dark color. The darker the color is, the more rancid it becomes. So if your oil turns darker, discard it away as soon as possible.
3. Cloudy consistency
Another obvious sign of spoilage is the cloudy appearance of peanut oil. The cloudy appearance shows the presence of molds and bacterial attacks. This made the oil unfit for consumption. So whenever you find any mold or cloudy appearance, just toss it away.
4. Off-flavor
The original flavor of the peanut oil is a light and nutty flavor. But its flavor gets spoiled easily when exposed to air, heat, and moisture. Whenever you experience a bitter flavor, it is high time to throw it away.
How To Store Peanut Oil To Extend Its Shelf Life?
Now you are aware of signs of spoilage and must be wondering how to keep it safe from those signs. Well, here it is! I mentioned a few tips to store peanut oil to extend its shelf life.
1. Airtight container
Placing peanut oil in an airtight container is the best way to store it. This will ensure that oil is safe from the external environment, such as air, heat, and moisture.
The contact with the moisture creates molds and makes the oil unhealthy for consumption. So it is better to keep it in a properly sealed container.
2. Away from heat and direct sunlight
Heat and sunlight are not meant for peanut oil. Exposure to extreme heat spoils the quality of the oil and makes it unfit for consumption. It affects the original taste and flavors of the peanut oil.
3. Cool and dry places
One of the best places to save peanut oil from extreme sunlight and heat is to store it in dry and cool areas. This is how you can preserve the taste of oil from getting spoiled.
4. Refrigerate peanut oil
If you want to extend the shelf life of peanut oil, then you must store it in the refrigerator. If you will use it within a few months, then this method is quite appropriate.
5. Freeze peanut oil
The best way to extend the shelf life of peanut oil is to place it in the freezer. If you do not use it frequently, I recommend you store it in airtight containers and place it in the freezer.
6. Away from Oxygen
You might have noticed the cloudier appearance of the peanut oil. Well, this is the result of oxidation. It becomes cloudy whenever the peanut oil comes in contact with the air. So make sure you use properly sealed containers.
7. Use clean utensils
Make sure you use a clean utensil to scoop out the peanut oil from the container. The used spoon will expose it to bacteria, and it is likely to get spoiled.
8. Keep it away from moisture
While storing it in an airtight container, ensure no moisture is present in the container. Moisture leads to the formation of molds and other bacterial growth. This makes the oil unfit for consumption and spoils its quality. So make sure you use clean and dry containers.
Tips to extend the shelf life of peanut oil
I know that there were a lot of things to remember. Don’t worry; in this section, I have mentioned a few important tips that can help you extend peanut oil’s shelf life.
- Use airtight containers to store peanut oil.
- Keep the oil in dry and clean areas to avoid contact with air, heat, and moisture.
- Place the oil in the refrigerator or freezer.
- While using any utensil, make sure it is well-clean and moisture free.
Conclusion
Well, this was all about the shelf life and signs of spoilage of peanut oil. If you want to increase its lifespan, you need to pay attention to its storage. Usage of airtight containers and placing them in the refrigerator will be a great option for storage.
Peanut oil is widely used in deep frying and baking. So what are you waiting for? Prepare your Turkey and enjoy it with your friends and family.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Peanut Oil Go Bad?
Yes, peanut oil does go bad. If not properly stored, it is likely to get spoiled. As long as you properly store the peanut oil using airtight containers, it is good for you.
How To Tell If Peanut Oil Is Bad?
You must discard it as quickly as possible whenever you find an unpleasant smell, discoloration, cloudy appearance, or off-flavor.
Can you freeze peanut oil?
Yes, you can surely freeze the peanut oil. This will help to increase the shelf life of the oil. Freezing peanut oil is a better option to save it from heat, moisture, and air.
However, refrigerating it is still a better option to keep the peanut oil from getting spoiled.
How long does peanut oil last?
An unopened peanut oil bottle can last about 1 to 2 years after surpassing its expiration date. When it comes to the open bottle of peanut oil, it lasts for 6 to 12 months outside.
Unopened peanut oil can last for about 3 to 4 years when kept in the fridge. An opened bottle of peanut oil can stay in use for 6 to 12 months. Peanut oil, unopened or opened, can last up to one year in the freezer.
