Apple Cider Vinegar: Will It Go Bad?

Made from apple juice, apple cider vinegar is a popular ingredient in sauces and marinades. Because of its versatility, apple cider vinegar is a kitchen staple.

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Unopened, it can last for a very long time. While it does not tend to expire, apple cider vinegar can go bad if stored improperly.

If you use apple cider vinegar, you must consider how long it can be used. Otherwise, you could end up using expired vinegar.

This could result in your marinades tasting gross! Let’s go into the expiration details of apple cider vinegar.

Will Apple Cider Vinegar Go Bad?

Quick Answer: Does Apple Cider Vinegar Go Bad? Apple cider vinegar does not usually go off. For the most part, the vinegar will stay the same for years.

However, the quality can decline somewhat over time. Namely, the taste will be affected. It will have a more acidic flavor, which few people enjoy.

Plus, the vinegar’s appearance can alter, developing more of a cloudy look. This contrasts with its usually clear look. The smell might also change, reflecting the acidic taste.

If you see any sediment at the bottom of the bottle, this is also a bad sign. This also indicates that the vinegar has gone past its use-by date.

Even after the quality declines, the vinegar will be safe to consume. It is very unlikely to make you sick. Therefore, you can use expired apple cider vinegar.

On the other hand, we do not advise using apple cider vinegar which has significantly gone bad, as it is unlikely to be a pleasant eating experience.

How Long Does Apple Cider Vinegar Last?

Apple cider vinegar tends to have an extensive shelf life. Unopened, the typical bottle of apple cider vinegar can last between 2 and 5 years.

This means that if you buy a bottle and don’t use it, you can keep it in your cupboard and open it years later.

Once you open the bottle, you should aim to use it within a year. The expiration process will be sped up once the bottle has been opened due to oxidation.

The best way of determining the shelf life of a bottle of apple cider vinegar is to pay attention to the use-by date.

Every bottle should contain this information, which will give you a date that you should attempt to finish the vinegar by.

If this is a best before date, then this is merely the date at which the quality of the vinegar will decline. Consequently, you can still use the apple cider vinegar after this date.

These dates act as useful timeframes for food products.

How Should You Store Apple Cider Vinegar?

Like many products, apple cider vinegar will be optimal when it has been correctly stored. Ideally, you should place the vinegar in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Namely, the vinegar should be kept in a cupboard or pantry. It is vulnerable to heat, so you should keep the vinegar away from heat sources.

When you have opened the bottle of vinegar, you should keep it well sealed. The cap must be placed on top of the bottle when you are not using it.

If you keep the bottle open, then oxidation (chemical decomposition due to oxygen exposure) will be sped up. Plus, dirt and dust can contaminate the vinegar so that its expiration is faster.

You can also put the vinegar in the fridge, though this is not the optimal way of storing it. It does not need to be stored in the fridge, but you can if you wish.

How Can Apple Cider Vinegar Be Used?

Apple cider vinegar has a broad range of uses, not just in cooking. Among the many methods of using this vinegar are:

Cooking: apple cider vinegar can be used to produce salad dressing, sauces, and marinades.
Cleaning: like other kinds of vinegars, apple cider is used in cleaning. This is because this vinegar is capable of killing bacteria. Consequently, apple cider vinegar is commonly used as a disinfectant.
Health: some research has found that apple cider vinegar can reduce blood sugar levels. As a consequence, it could be beneficial for people with type 1 diabetes.
Weight loss: some people claim that this vinegar can be used to promote weight loss. Though this has not been proven, you might experience these results.

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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!