How long does vinegar last?

FoodKeeper gives vinegar 2 years unopened, as a guide to quality. Once opened, it has no figure in FoodKeeper.

How to store it

Keep it at room temperature with the cap on, out of direct sun. It doesn't need the refrigerator.

USDA says temperatures below 85°F are best, and to avoid anywhere above or beside the stove, under the sink, or in a damp garage or basement. Once it's open, follow any storage instruction on the label.

What to look for

Some vinegars go cloudy or form a stringy layer with age. That's a harmless by-product called a mother, and you can strain it out if you don't like it.

Don't use food from a cracked jar, or a jar with a loose or bulging lid. Don't taste it to check.

Worth knowing

FoodKeeper gives 2 years unopened, and no opened figure. Its acidity is why it's used to preserve other foods.

Similar foods

From preppantry.app. Checked 2 November 2026. Independent tool, not official advice.

How it works

FoodKeeper is USDA's food storage database. Its figures are guides to quality for food stored at cool room temperature, not safety cut-offs, and we show them as USDA gives them. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase. Opened times start when you open the pack.

Where FoodKeeper gives no figure, we say so instead of guessing. The date printed on a package is the manufacturer's, and it's about quality except on infant formula.

Common questions

How long does vinegar last unopened?

2 years, according to USDA FoodKeeper, as a guide to best quality. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase.

How long does vinegar keep once opened?

FoodKeeper gives no figure for an opened pack in the pantry. FoodKeeper gives no refrigerator figure.

Does vinegar go bad after the date on the package?

USDA says dates are about quality, except on infant formula. A product should still be safe if handled properly until spoilage shows, so check for an off smell, taste or texture.

What should I look for before using vinegar?