This Is How to Tell When Your Olive Oil Is Bad

Olive oil is one of cooking’s most versatile ingredients. From using it to make salad dressings, to fry veggies, or even just to accompany bread, it has a multitude of uses.

It also has a range of qualities and varieties. Picking the right olive oil can be a bigger decision than one might think. So when you get your hands on the right bottle of olive oil, it can be tempting to save it. For instance, maybe you found the perfect, bulk-sized jug of olive oil and plan to use it for a while. Or maybe you grabbed a nice bottle on a trip and want to set it aside for a rainy day.

But, just like most good things, olive oil doesn’t last forever. So, before you store it, make sure you know how to keep it from going to waste.

Does Olive Oil Go Bad?

While it might seem like a food that doesn’t go bad (like honey), olive oil does expire. 

A sealed bottle of olive oil generally lasts 18 to 24 months. But it depends on the variety of oil. Extra virgin olive oil can go bad a little sooner, after around 12 to 18 months. 

To know how long your olive oil has been sealed, the most important date to look for on the bottle is the harvest date. This will tell you how fresh the oil is and how long you can keep it on the shelf. 

Once you open your bottle of olive oil, plan to use it in a month or two. The good news is, though, that the ingredient is so versatile that it won’t be hard to find ways to use it up during that time.

How To Tell When Olive Oil Has Gone Bad

The scent of bad olive oil is distinct, so you should be able to tell just by giving your olive oil a quick sniff to see if it has gone bad. If your oil has a rancid smell, it is time to toss it. 

Some also say that expired olive oil can smell waxy like a box of crayons. So if you feel like you are cooking with school supplies instead of vegetable oil, it's time to find a new bottle. 

When all else fails, give your oil a taste. From there, you should know if it is good to use or not, as the sour flavor of bad olive oil is easy to detect. You most likely won’t get sick from a small amount of rancid olive oil, but your recipe will just have an unpleasant flavor. As long as the olive oil tastes alright to you, it should be fine to use.

How To Store Olive Oil

The best way to prevent your olive oil from going bad is to store it properly.

The priority is to protect your olive oil from exposure to air. Keep your olive oil sealed until you need to use it and don’t transfer it into another container. While you might want to move your olive oil into a nice bottle like you see at a restaurant, don’t do this unless you plan on using it quickly.

Also, make sure to keep your oil out of the sun or any high temperatures. Not only does this mean keeping your bottle in a dark cabinet or pantry, but it also means buying olive oil that is sold in a dark container that is preferably not made of plastic. As plastic is permeable, exposure to air can cause your olive oil to go bad quicker. Instead, look for olive oil that is sold in a tin or dark glass. 

While there are exceptions, as a general rule, avoid putting your olive oil in the refrigerator. This can cause it to solidify and lose its flavor, making it difficult to cook with. 

Olive oil doesn’t last for ages, but it is still definitely worth keeping it in your pantry. Chances are, you will use it so often that you will never need to worry about it expiring.