Extending the Shelf Life of Grapeseed Oil

Whether you are planning to use grapeseed oil soon or six months from now, knowing the shelf life of grapeseed oil will allow you to plan your pantry accordingly. Cooking oils and fats are needed in every pantry; however, not all oils are made equal. Fortunately, grapeseed oil is a healthy oil high in vitamin E and antioxidants, making it a good oil to include in your pantry.

Grapeseed oil has a maximum shelf life of 1 year when stored properly. However, it must be sealed and stored in a fridge to ensure it can reach its max shelf life. Once the bottle has been opened, the oil can last 3 months in a pantry or 6 months in the refrigerator. Read on to learn how to preserve grapeseed oil.

What is Grapeseed Oil?

Grapeseed oil is a green-yellow oil made from pressing the seeds of grapes and is a byproduct of winemaking. Since the process of making grapeseed oil reduces seed waste, it makes winemaking more sustainable and less wasteful.

One interesting fact about grapeseed oil is that it is difficult to extract. It requires 2 tons of grapes to yield 1 liter of grapeseed oil.

Given that grapeseed oil is healthy cooking oil, it is often compared to olive oil and avocado oil. Grapeseed oil can be used as a healthy substitute for highly refined and genetically modified oils such as canola and most vegetable oils.

Cooking

Grapeseed oil has a smoke point of 420°F, or 216°C, making it a good option for sauteeing and baking. Grapeseed oil has a natural fruity, nutty flavor, although it is very subtle. However, it can serve as a great base for infused oils and is often infused with herbs and spices for additional flavor.

Type

There are two main types of grapeseed oil, refined and cold-pressed. The main difference between the two is that refined oil is made by heating the seeds but loses many of the nutritional benefits in the process. The benefit of refined oil is that it will have a longer shelf life and higher smoke point.

Cold-pressed grapeseed oil is made from a slow, mechanized process that allows for more of the nutrients, flavors, and aromas to be preserved. Generally speaking, we always suggest unrefined or cold-pressed oils because of the increased nutritional benefits.

Nutritional Benefits

Grapeseed oil, like most cooking fats and oils, is comprised of macronutrient fat. Below are the nutritional facts for 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil.

Shelf Life Of Grapeseed Oil

When properly stored, the maximum shelf life of grapeseed oil is 1 year. Grapeseed oil, like other cooking oils, needs to be protected from oxygen, heat, and light to prevent the oil from going bad. Fortunately, this is a simple task, and by storing the oil in a cool, dark place such as a pantry or fridge, you can ensure the oil is protected from elements that will make it go rancid.

Still, the shelf life varies by how it is stored. Stored in a pantry and at room temperature, grapeseed oil has a shelf life of up to 6 months. However, when stored in a fridge, it can be kept for up to 1 year without going bad. Also, whether or not the bottle is sealed or unsealed can influence the shelf life. Once you open the bottle, it will be exposed to oxygen, which will shorten the shelf life.

How to store Grapeseed Oil?

Storing grapeseed oil, like other cooking oils, is easy. The goal is to store the oil in a place that protects it from air, heat, and light. In doing so, it will prevent the oil from going bad.

Ideally, your grapeseed oil will be contained in a glass or tin container. These types are bottles are the most effective for long-term storage since they are more resilient to heat and light exposure. Oils that come in plastic bottles are typically cheaper, but you run the risk of the oil going rancid prematurely and microplastic leaking into the oil over time. However, this is not the case for glass and tin containers. If your oil comes in a plastic bottle, we suggest changing the container in order to extend the shelf life.

When it comes to storing the grapeseed oil, it should be kept in a cool, dark place such as a fridge or pantry. Once the room temperature exceeds 75°F, the oil will be at risk of going rancid. So if you live in a hot and humid climate, we suggest storing the oil in the fridge.

Also, you should know that when oil is stored in the fridge, it becomes cloudy, but this is nothing to be concerned about. Grapeseed oil preserves its quality and nutrients whether it is kept in a pantry, fridge, or freezer.

If you don’t expect to use the oil frequently, we suggest buying a smaller bottle of grapeseed oil.

Can you Freeze Grapeseed Oil?

Yes, grapeseed oil can be frozen for up to 12 months in a freezer. However, we advise against it since the shelf life is no different than storing it in a refrigerator. Freezer space is valuable and can be used to store other foods for long-term storage.

How does Grapeseed Oil go bad?

When a cooking oil has gone bad, it may be difficult to determine based on first glance. Fortunately, you can rely on your sense of sight, smell, and taste to quickly determine if the oil is rancid.

• Discoloration: The first and most obvious sign of rancidity is discoloration. Cooking oils do not grow mold, but they do change in color over time. Grapeseed oil is naturally yellow-green, but if you notice the color has gotten darker, it may be rancid. If you are still having doubts, go on to the next step.
• Aroma: The second sign to check for rancidity is to check the odor. Rancid oils have a soapy, unpleasant aroma, which is easy to notice and a clear sign of rancidity. If you notice the smell is off, it’s best to dispose of it immediately as there is no need to continue on to the next step.
• Taste: If you are still unsure about the rancidity, the next step is to taste the oil. Oil past its expiration date will taste sour and unpleasant, nothing like the nutty, fruity flavor of grapeseed oil. This is a fast and immediate indicator the oil has gone bad.

Related Article: How to Store Cooking Oils for the Long-Term

Is it Safe to Consume Rancid Grapeseed Oil?

No, once a cooking oil has gone bad, it’s better to dispose of it than expose your family to rancid oils. Not only will rancid oils ruin a home cooked meal, but they will also release free radicals in your body, causing your cells to become unstable. Free radicals are known to cause severe health effects such as inflammation, heart disease, and other illnesses. For this reason, it’s best to avoid expired oils altogether than consume them.

What is Grapeseed Oil used For?

Grapeseed oil has a high smoke point (420°F), making it a good cooking oil for baking, sauteeing, or frying foods. It can serve as a substitute for avocado oil or olive oil in cooking. However, it is not commonly used as a finishing oil, like you would use olive oil or avocado oil. The flavor of grapeseed oil is much more subtle than other oils, making it a poor finishing oil.

Some other uses for grapeseed oil include using it in pasta sauce, to make salad dressing, and soup. It is also commonly used as a base for infused oils.

Related Article: Extending the Shelf life of Avocado Oil

Health Benefits of Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil is high in vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties, and helps optimizes the health of your brain, skin, vision, hair, and blood. Additionally, studies on grapeseed oil suggest it reduces the risk of heart disease and blood clots. It also helps combat free radicals, which can damage cells in the body (source). This is in contrast to GMO oils such as canola and most vegetable oils, which are known to increase free radicals and cause heart disease after frequent consumption (source).

There is a common misconception that all fats are bad, but this is far from the truth. Fats are essential for our bodies to operate normally. However, not all fats are made equal. Ideally, you should avoid trans fats or oils from GMO sources. These types of fats are unnatural and have been proven to cause serious health complications. When stocking up on fats and oils for your pantry, consider organic, unrefined, or extra-virgin options.

Related Article: Cooking Fats Vs. Cooking Oils for Long-Term Storage

Summary

When sealed, grapeseed oil stored in a pantry has a shelf life of 6 months but up to 12 months when stored in a refrigerator. Storing grapeseed oil in a freezer will protect it from environmental aggressors but will not extend the shelf life past 12 months. If your goal is to preserve grapeseed oil as long as possible, simply store it in a glass or tin container, and place the container in a fridge. Then ensure the oil is not exposed to heat, light, or oxygen. In doing so, it can achieve its maximum shelf life.

Grapeseed oil is a good choice for your pantry as it has numerous health benefits. However, one major downside is that its shelf life is much shorter than other cooking oils. Although olive oil is similar to cooking oil, its shelf life can be as long as two years. And unrefined coconut oil goes bad after 5 years if stored properly. If you would like to learn more about the best cooking oils for long-term storage, check out the other posts on our site.

Related Article: Best Cooking Oils for Long-Term Storage