Does Vinegar Go Bad?

Does Vinegar Go Bad?…

No, vinegar has an indefinite shelf life and can safely be used for consumption, cooking and cleaning, long after its expiration date.

Chances are you probably have a bottle of vinegar sitting in your pantry right now.

But the big question: is that sticky bottle of it in the back of your pantry still good?

If you’re asking if it will kill, or at the very least sicken, you, no. Vinegar, whether it’s white, red wine, white wine, balsamic or that fancy appely stuff, is by nature self-preserving. Nothing can live in something that acidic. 

So what about the sediment forming on top, or that eerie film floating around in there like a creepy jellyfish? It’s called the mother, a naturally occurring bacteria in vinegar that, you guessed it, makes more of the sour stuff. 

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.

Please note that the periods above are only estimates and for best quality. Vinegar stored properly will stay safe indefinitely.