DecodedGuides

How to store frying oil

Best place: the fridge. USDA gives frying oil a fridge time (1 month, from purchase) and no pantry time, so it belongs in the fridge as soon as you get home. The freezer gives 6 to 9 months.

Pantry

No guideline

Fridge

1 month

from purchase

Freezer

6 to 9 months

best quality within

How to tell frying oil has gone bad

General signs for condiments, sauces & canned goods, the group USDA lists frying oil under.

  • Dented, bulging or rusted cans, especially at the seams
  • Hissing sound or spray when a can or jar is opened
  • Mould on the surface of a sauce or condiment
  • Separation, discoloration or a sharp off smell from the jar
  • Metallic taste or cloudy liquid in canned food

More on condiments, sauces & canned goods. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.

Storage habits that make the difference

Refrigerate opened condiments and sauces with their lids on tightly, and use a clean spoon each time to avoid contamination. Store unopened cans in a cool, dry cupboard, and once opened, transfer leftover canned food to a covered container in the fridge rather than storing it in the can.

How to store other condiments, sauces & canned goods

Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.