Flaxseeds are a nutritional powerhouse and a great source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Pressing and using the oil comes with similar health benefits but at the cost of shortened shelf life compared to whole flaxseeds. How long until flaxseed oil goes bad, then?
Flaxseed oil has a short shelf life of around six months when sealed, shortening to around 2-3 months (max) after opening when stored in the fridge. Due to its fragile nature, flaxseed oil shouldn’t be heated and should always be refrigerated after opening.
We’ll cover the best storage techniques for flaxseed oil and more in this article!
What is the shelf life of flaxseed oil?
Flaxseed oil has a very short shelf life compared to other liquid plant-based oils. The fats in flaxseed oil are more prone to going rancid and aren’t very shelf-stable when compared to whole flaxseeds.
Flaxseed oil generally lasts around 4-6 months after it’s made, but will only last a couple of months after opening. Unlike other oils, flaxseed oil should be stored in the refrigerator as a default to help prolong its short shelf life.
The short shelf life of flaxseed oil correlates with its fragility as a cooking oil. Due to its very low smoke point, flaxseed oil shouldn’t be heated or cooked with, only used as a cold oil (drizzling on salads, etc). Applying heat to flaxseed oil breaks down the fats and leads to the formation of smoke.
How long does flaxseed oil last after opening?
Once you open flaxseed oil, the clock starts ticking in terms of how long it lasts. Upon researching, there are different timelines in terms of how long flaxseed oil lasts after opening – the range appears to be anywhere from as short as two weeks to around 2-3 months.
While some types of flaxseed oil might last longer than that, the general consensus is to use flaxseed oil sooner rather than later once it’s opened.
You can also freeze flaxseed oil, but it doesn’t necessarily extend the short shelf life.
Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
Sealed flaxseed oil | ~6 months | 4-6 months | 4-6 months |
Opened flaxseed oil | Not recommended to store flaxseed oil at room temperature | 2-3 months maximum | 2-3 months maximum |
Can you use flaxseed oil after its expiration date?
While most types of oils are fine to use a bit after their expiration date, flaxseed oil is an exception. Using flaxseed oil past its expiration date isn’t recommended since it has such a short shelf life as is.
If flaxseed oil is slightly expired and has been stored in the fridge or freezer, then you can probably get a bit more use out of it, but if it’s been stored in the pantry then you should definitely toss it.
How to tell if flaxseed oil went bad
The fats in flaxseed oil are prone to going rancid quickly, which is why flaxseed oil doesn’t last long before it goes bad. How can you tell if it’s gone bad, though? Watch out for these signs:
- It has an unpleasant odor, such as smelling burnt, bitter, or having a chemical smell.
- It tastes bad – flaxseed oil should have a pleasant and mild nutty taste.
- The appearance/color has changed drastically since you purchased it.
What’s the danger in using flaxseed oil after it’s gone bad?
Using flaxseed oil that has gone bad isn’t likely to cause any serious harm. You might end up getting an upset stomach if you ingest enough old flaxseed oil, and the nutritional benefits will be lessened compared to using fresh flaxseed oil.
Best storage practices for flaxseed oil
- Store flaxseed oil in the refrigerator immediately upon opening (it wouldn’t hurt to store unopened bottles in the fridge, too).
- Flaxseed oil should be kept in opaque containers to shield them from light, which can hasten the process of it going bad.
- Never store flaxseed oil next to direct light or heat sources.
FAQs:
Flaxseed oil is only good for a couple of months (at the most) after opening. Storing flaxseed oil in the refrigerator after opening can help extend its shelf life to around four months at the most.
Using expired flaxseed oil is likely going to be unpleasant, but it shouldn’t cause any serious health issues if you only consume a small amount before you realize it’s gone rancid.
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