How long does vinegar last?
Unopened: 2 years in the pantry.
“Because of its acid nature, vinegar is self-preserving and does not need refrigeration.” Extension
| State | Pantry | Fridge 40 °F |
|---|---|---|
| Unopened | 2 years FoodKeeper Extension Extension | Not stated |
| Opened | 1 year Extension Extension | Not stated |
| White distilled | Indefinitely Extension | Not stated |
| Apple cider vinegar | 2-3 years best quality Extension Also stated: indefinitely FoodKeeper Extension | Not stated |
| Balsamic, unopened | 3-5 years FoodKeeper | Not stated |
| Balsamic, opened | Not stated | 18 months FoodKeeper |
Signs it has gone bad
- “Slightly cloudy appearance doesn't affect quality.” Extension
- “Cloudiness does not affect the quality of the vinegar or its flavor. Straining cloudy vinegar through a coffee filter may clear it.” Extension
- “a slimy, amorphous blob or substance will form and float near the bottom. This is a vinegar mother and is just bacteria” Extension
Sources compared
| Source | State | Pantry | Fridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Unopened | 2 years | - |
| Nebraska Extension | Unopened | 2 years | - |
| NDSU Extension | Unopened | 2 years | - |
| Nebraska Extension | Opened | 1 year | - |
| NDSU Extension | Opened | 12 months | - |
| Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine) | White distilled | Indefinitely | - |
| Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine) | Apple cider vinegar | Indefinitely; 2-3 years | - |
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Apple cider vinegar | Indefinitely | - |
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Balsamic, unopened | 3-5 years | - |
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Balsamic, opened | - | 18 months |
A dash means that source gives no time for that place.
Handling and freezing notes
- “Distilled vinegar keeps longer than cider vinegar.” Extension
- “To maximize the shelf life of all vinegars, store them in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct heat or sunlight.” Extension
- “Vinegar should only be stored in glass, plastic, or non-reactive containers.” Extension
- “It is important that the lid is secured and replaced immediately after use to reduce the amount of oxygen coming in contact with the vinegar.” Extension
What the sources say
FoodKeeper and the Nebraska Extension chart both give unopened vinegar 2 years in the pantry, counted in FoodKeeper from the date of purchase.12
Once the bottle is opened, the Nebraska chart gives vinegar 1 year at room temperature in a pantry or cupboard.2
FoodKeeper has a separate entry for apple cider vinegar and says it keeps indefinitely in the pantry.5
Balsamic vinegar has its own FoodKeeper entry too: 3 to 5 years in the pantry from the date of purchase, then 18 months in the refrigerator after opening.6
The NDSU Extension food storage guide gives the same 2 years unopened and 12 months opened, and notes that distilled vinegar keeps longer than cider vinegar.3
Iowa State University Extension goes further: citing StillTasty, it says commercially prepared white distilled vinegar keeps indefinitely, and that cider, malt, balsamic, rice, wine and flavored vinegars are also safe indefinitely.4
Because the appearance and flavor of those non-white vinegars may change, it gives them best quality within 2 to 3 years of purchase.4
Quoting the Vinegar Institute, it says vinegar is self-preserving because of its acid nature and does not need refrigeration.4
Its storage advice is a cool, dark cupboard away from direct heat or sunlight, a glass, plastic or other non-reactive container, and a lid put back right after use to limit contact with oxygen.4
Both extension sources say cloudiness does not affect quality, and Iowa State adds that straining cloudy vinegar through a coffee filter may clear it.34
A slimy blob floating near the bottom is a vinegar mother, which Iowa State describes as just bacteria that can be strained out with a coffee filter.4
Rules that apply here
Related foods
Sources
- USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 361: Vinegar. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Vinegar. DOP_Pantry: 2 Years
- Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24.
Vinegar 2 years (unopened); 1 year (opened)
- 1 • FN579 • Food Storage GuideNDSU Extension. NDSU Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25.
Vinegar – unopened – opened 2 years 12 months
Slightly cloudy appearance doesn't affect quality.
Distilled vinegar keeps longer than cider vinegar.
- Vinegar Shelf Life and Safety • AnswerLine • Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25.
StillTasty concurs that commercially prepared white distilled vinegar keeps indefinitely.
Like white vinegar, commercially prepared cider, malt, balsamic, rice, wine, and flavored vinegars are also safe indefinitely.
StillTasty recommends that these non-white vinegars are of best quality if used within 2-3 years of purchase.
Because of its acid nature, vinegar is self-preserving and does not need refrigeration.
To maximize the shelf life of all vinegars, store them in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct heat or sunlight.
Vinegar should only be stored in glass, plastic, or non-reactive containers.
It is important that the lid is secured and replaced immediately after use to reduce the amount of oxygen coming in contact with the vinegar.
Cloudiness does not affect the quality of the vinegar or its flavor. Straining cloudy vinegar through a coffee filter may clear it.
a slimy, amorphous blob or substance will form and float near the bottom. This is a vinegar mother and is just bacteria
- USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 557: Apple cider vinegar. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Apple cider vinegar. Pantry: Indefinitely
- USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 669: Balsamic vinegar. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Balsamic vinegar. DOP_Pantry: 3-5 Years; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 18 Months
- REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24.
Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.