Sesame oil has a unique flavor that makes it popular for sauteing, stir-frying, and seasoning in both hot and cold dishes. It also has a relatively high smoke point, which means it can withstand high-heat cooking without burning.
Once opened, sesame oil will generally last up to six months stored in the pantry, or up to one year when stored in the fridge. A sealed bottle of sesame oil should last around one year in the pantry at room temperature or around two years in the fridge.
We’ll cover all things related to the shelf life and storage of sesame oil in this article – shall we begin?
What is the shelf life of sesame oil?
When sesame oil is sealed it should last around a year at room temperature, such as in your pantry. Store that same sealed bottle of sesame oil in the fridge and it’ll likely stay good for around two years.
Sesame oil should come with an expiration date or best-by date, which can help you determine whether or not it’s time to throw it out (if it’s been years past the expiration date, just replace the bottle!).
Keep in mind that these dates are usually a conservative estimate of how long the oil’s quality is ideal, not necessarily when the sesame oil will go bad.
How long does sesame oil last after opening?
Once you open a bottle of sesame oil, it’s best to use it within six months if you’re storing it at room temperature. If you pop that same open bottle of sesame oil in the fridge, then it could stay good for up to a year.
Keep in mind that these are general guidelines. Some varieties of sesame oil may have longer or shorter shelf lives depending on their quality, date of manufacture, and more.
If you think your bottle of sesame oil is past its prime, it’s probably not worth it to continue using it since it could throw off the flavor of your entire dish!
Can you use sesame oil after its expiration date?
The expiration or “use by” dates on sesame oil are generally just guidelines as to when the oil might start to lose some of its ideal freshness. That doesn’t mean that the sesame oil will magically go bad after that date, so it’s generally fine to use it past the expiration date.
Unlike some types of food like dairy products, meat, or other perishables, it takes a while for vegetable oils to truly go bad, so keep that in mind when looking at any expiration dates printed on sesame oil.
How to tell if sesame oil went bad
Plant-based oils can all go bad at some point, though it usually takes quite a bit of time for that to happen. Once the fats in sesame oil have gone rancid, you’ll have clear signs like:
- It takes on a smell similar to nail polish remover, paint thinner, or another chemical smell.
- The color may change, such as turning darker than it was when it was fresh.
- The taste will become unpleasant.
What’s the danger in using sesame oil after it’s gone bad?
Plant-based oils aren’t likely to make you sick after they’ve gone bad. Plus, you’ll likely realize the oil has gone bad before you eat too much of it, which can protect you from ingesting too much of it.
Even if you do end up eating a bit of sesame oil after it’s gone bad, the most likely outcome is that you’ll get an upset stomach. However, the likelihood that you get seriously sick from it is very low.
Best storage practices for sesame oil
- Store sesame oil in a tightly-sealed container in a cool, dark place away from sunlight or direct heat sources.
- To lengthen the shelf life of sesame oil, store the container in the refrigerator; this is especially helpful if you don’t go through sesame oil very quickly.
| Room temp/pantry | Refrigerator | |
| Opened sesame oil | 6 months | 1 year |
| Sealed sesame oil | 1 year | 2 years |
FAQs:
Sesame oil doesn’t require refrigeration, but it will help lengthen its shelf life. Refrigerating sesame oil helps the fats from going rancid, which is the way it goes bad over time.
How do you store sesame oil after opening?
Once sesame oil is opened, store it in a dark place that isn’t exposed to direct sunlight or heat, such as a pantry. Avoid storing oils near the stove or oven where they’ll be exposed to excess heat since that can shorten their shelf life.
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