Vinegar keeps about 2 years in the pantry.
That's the longest window published for Vinegar — sealed in the pantry is its best case.
| Situation | Keeps for |
|---|---|
| Unopened · pantry | 2 years |
Air and warmth are what shorten an opened item's life — the right container buys back the days the packaging gives up once the seal's broken.
Keep Vinegar fresh longer ↗ Need a fresh one? ↗
Ad · Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. They appear after your answer and never change it.
About 2 years, according to USDA FoodKeeper v128, stored as follows: cool, dry pantry away from heat and light.
Vinegar is shelf-stable at room temperature: cool, dry pantry away from heat and light. Refrigerating it mainly preserves quality rather than safety.
Look for: Mould around the rim, cap, or surface; An off, fermented, or yeasty smell; Fizzing, bubbling, or a bulging lid; Separation or a colour change that won't stir back in. Those are the general signs for condiments & sauces — USDA FoodKeeper v128 publishes no spoilage note for Vinegar specifically. Never taste something to test it — when in doubt, throw it out.