Walnut oil might not be as popular as olive oil and coconut oil, but it’s a healthy oil that you can use in cooking, baking, or on your skin.
The best way to store walnut oil is in a tightly sealed dark opaque glass container in the refrigerator. Storing walnut oil in the refrigerator increases its shelf life more than storing it at room temperature.
To learn more about the best way to store walnut oil (both in and out of the fridge), read on!
What is walnut oil?
Walnut oil is a cooking oil made by pressing the oil from walnuts. Walnuts are known for being high in omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat with impressive health benefits.
Walnut oil doesn’t have a high smoke point, so it’s not best for high-heat cooking. Instead, walnut oil is popular as a finishing oil to drizzle over dishes that are already prepared, such as salads, roasted veggies, and more. You can also add it to baked goods like breads and cookies.
Due to its hydrating properties, walnut oil can also be applied topically!
Methods of extraction
Like other nut oils, there are different methods of extraction for walnut oil. Unrefined, cold-pressed oil is considered the purest type of walnut oil. Cold pressing doesn’t use heat or solvents to extract the oil, which can degrade the oil’s quality and nutrition.
Unrefined oil is the least bitter because the walnuts haven’t been heated. Expeller-pressed walnut oil applies extreme pressure to extract the oil, sometimes with the help of a chemical solvent (a type of refining process). Due to the high pressure during expeller pressing, the oil is heated a bit, which can degrade its nutritional value more than cold pressing.
What is the best way to store walnut oil?
Walnut oil is high in polyunsaturated fats, which aren’t as stable as monounsaturated fats, so it’s more likely to go bad quickly if not stored properly!
The best way to store olive walnut oil is:
- In the refrigerator for maximum shelf life – it can double the shelf life when it’s chilled (up to 12 months once opened)!
- In a tightly sealed opaque container, preferably made of glass instead of plastic.
- In a cool, dark place away from direct sources of heat and sunlight.
- At a consistent temperature range, ideally within 40-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Does walnut oil need to be refrigerated?
Opened walnut oil will last around 6-12 months at room temperature. Its shelf life will likely be towards the upper end of that range (12 months) when refrigerated.
If your walnut oil is still sealed, it’ll last around one year at room temperature and two years in the fridge!
Cold-pressed oils don’t tend to last as long as refined oils, which are more stable due to the refining process. Because of this, it’s important to check the best-by date on your walnut oil because that date will differ depending on the method of extraction.
Factors that influence walnut oil storage
Container
It’s ideal to store walnut oil in a dark, opaque glass container. If you store it in clear containers the oil can be degraded by light entering the container.
Storing walnut oil in a plastic container can lead to the plastic leaching into the oil over time, which negatively impacts its taste.
Temperature
Walnut oil should be stored at room temperature (not exceeding 85 degrees Fahrenheit ) or even better – in the fridge!
Exposure to direct heat, like if the bottle is stored next to the oven or stovetop, can cause the fats to break down more quickly than if the oil is stored at a consistent room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Method of extraction
Cold-pressed oils can have shorter shelf lives than refined oils. The shelf life of walnut oil will vary a bit depending on the way it was extracted, so that’s another factor that impacts the storage of walnut oil.
How to spot spoiled walnut oil
You can only do so much to prevent the spoiling of walnut oil, but over time it will get stale and go rancid. If you’re wondering if your walnut oil is past its prime, watch out for some signs of spoilage like:
- Having a foul odor: Walnut oil should have a pleasant, nutty aroma. If it smells musty, sour, or just “off”, err on the safe side and throw it out.
- It’s never worth sacrificing the flavor of your whole dish by using old, rancid oil. When in doubt, give walnut oil a taste before you use it. If it doesn’t taste good, it’s likely rancid.
- If the color of your walnut oil changes since you first got it, it’s a sign it might be going rancid. Fresh walnut oil ranges from clear to pale yellow – so watch out for the darkening of the oil or the development of sediment.
FAQs:
Do you have to refrigerate walnut oil after opening?
It’s ideal to store walnut oil in the refrigerator to maximize its freshness and quality.
Like all nut and seed oils, walnut oil is prone to going rancid over time. It should stay fresh for 6-12 months once you open it, but likely on the higher end of that range when it’s in the fridge vs. room temperature.
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