We all know that vegetable or canola oil is not the best for your health, so finding an alternative oil should be a goal. Avocado oil is one of those alternatives, but since this is not regular canola oil, does avocado oil go bad?
Short Answer: If stored correctly, opened avocado oil will last 6-8 months in a cupboard.
While most of the time bad oil won’t harm you, it will taste bad and might spoil the dish you’re adding it to.
When it comes to oil and other preservative products, it can be hard to tell when they have gone bad, but that’s what we are here for.
In this article, we will be looking at what avocado oil actually is and how best to store it to keep it fresh for as long as possible.
If you’re curious, then read on to find out more:
What is Avocado Oil?
Avocado oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the pulp of avocados. Due to the original color of the avocado, the oil will have a slightly green hue. (*)
It is a heart-healthy oil that is an excellent alternative to other vegetable oils. It is best used similarly to olive oil in dressings and for pan-frying.
You can purchase avocado oil, refined or unrefined, which has subtle differences.
Unrefined avocado oil is deeper in color with a more buttery flavor, while refined avocado oil will have a more neutral taste and a paler color.
Does Avocado Oil Go Bad?
Yes, eventually, avocado oil will go bad, but if you store it correctly, it can keep for over six months.
So, as we mentioned, it can be hard to tell if the oil has gone bad. First, you need to know what fresh avocado oil will look like.
Fresh avocado oil will be:
1. Clear
The oil may have a greenish color, but it will still be clear and easy to see through.
The color and clarity will be brightest when the oil is at its freshest.
2. No Smell
You should notice very little smell when you open a bottle of avocado oil.
You might notice a slightly herbaceous scent in unrefined avocado oil, but it will be subtle and pleasant.
3. Fresh, Neutral Flavor
The final way to tell if oil is fresh is to taste it.
Fresh avocado oil will have a very subtle flavor that is bright and unobtrusive. We recommend tasting your oil before every time you use it to ensure it still tastes good.
How Do You Know if Your Avocado Oil Has Gone Bad?
So now that we have a good idea of what fresh avocado oil will be like, we need to focus on what to look for if it has gone bad.
If your avocado oil has gone bad, it will be:
1. Cloudy
The first way to tell is by assessing it visually.
Over time, the avocado oil might start to become cloudy, and the color will be less bright. This can indicate that bacteria is growing, and you should discard it immediately.
2. Rancid Smell
If there is no cloudiness, you can test the smell.
Oil shouldn’t smell when you open the bottle. If you notice an off smell coming from the oil, it is probably rancid.
3. Strange Taste
This is the last resort because you obviously want to avoid eating off avocado oil.
However, if you do taste it, you will notice a strange, old flavor in the oil. This is a clear sign that it is not fresh enough to use anymore.
How Long Does Avocado Oil Goes Last?
If stored correctly, avocado oil can last between 6 and 8 months.
However, if you store it correctly, it may last well past its sell-by date. Be sure to use the signs we indicated above to check your avocado oil every time you use it.
Over time, you may notice that the color slightly oxidizes. This is normal and doesn’t indicate that the oil has gone bad.
At the end of the day, oil degrades very slowly, and avocado oil is no different.
What is the Best Way to Store Avocado Oil?
As we said before, you can prolong your avocado oil’s shelf life by storing it correctly. Luckily, avocado oil is a very simple ingredient to keep fresh.
If you follow these tips, your avocado oil will stay fresher for longer:
- Keep away from heat and light.
The fastest way to degrade oil is to expose it to heat and light.
This is why we recommend storing it in a dark cupboard or pantry, far away from the stove or any windows.
- Store in the original packaging
We do not suggest transferring your avocado oil to another container.
The bottle it comes in should be suitable and have a tight-fitting lid, which is important to keep it away from the air.
- Close the bottle tightly after each use
Exposure to air can make your oil go rancid more quickly.
To remedy this, ensure that you seal the lid tightly after each use.
Learn more:
- Does MCT Oil Go Bad?
- Does Canola Oil Go Bad?
- Does Sesame Oil Go Bad?
- Does Vegetable Oil Go Bad?
- Does Olive Oil Go Bad?
- Does Peanut Oil Go Bad?
- Does Grapeseed Oil Go Bad?
FAQ
How long can you use avocado oil past its best-by date?
The best-by date you will find printed on your avocado oil doesn’t indicate the date that your oil will go bad.
The date is there to indicate optimum freshness.
The length of time avocado oil can last beyond this date is dependent on how you store it.
We suggest testing your avocado oil every time you test it just to ensure it is still fresh, especially if you have had it for more than six months.
Should you store avocado oil in the fridge?
We do not recommend refrigerating your avocado oil, but it will not adversely affect it.
Most oils will go cloudy when put in the fridge, so we suggest storing avocado oil in a cool cupboard instead.
Is avocado oil good for you?
Yes, avocado oil is very good for you.
As we mentioned earlier, avocado oil is a heart-healthy oil.
This is because it is monounsaturated fat. Fats like this can actually help lower your cholesterol.
It is also packed full of vitamin E, and it helps increase your body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Conclusion
So now that we’ve had a dive into the world of avocado oil, what have we learned?
- Unopened avocado oil can last up to a year.
- If stored correctly, opened avocado oil can last between 6 and 8 months.
- It takes a very long time for the oil to go rancid.
We hope this has given you some helpful insight into avocado oil and its shelf life. Keep this in mind the next time you are picking up some avocado oil for your pantry.
Up Next: The Optimal Shelf Life of Oils
