Groundnut oil can’t be called a common product compared to other oils, however, this natural foodstuff has found its place in many kitchens due to its nutty flavor and usefulness.
Since it is quite rare, people often wonder how to store peanut oil correctly.
Let’s see what we can discover about this!
How Long Does Peanut Oil Last?
Like any other natural vegetable or nut oil, groundnut product is rather durable. Of course, when buying a flask of it in a store, we can find the best-by date indicated on the tag but it only shows until when the oil will keep its optimal potency.
For sure, this date doesn’t show that the product will become spoiled right after the expiry date.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t prove that peanut oil can last forever either.
Like any organic product, it has its final term of use. However, if we follow the basic storage requirements, it will be possible to prolong its lifespan to its most. In this case, it will be possible to stock groundnut oil for months and sometimes even for one or two years after its expiry date!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=QKegQmIJlsI
But before we discover what actions to take to reach that goal, let’s see how long we can safely stock this product at home if we do everything right.
| Pantry | |
|---|---|
| Unopened oil | Stock it for 1-2 years past the expiry date safely |
| Opened oil | Lasts for 6-12 months at most |
| Used oil | Keep it for nearly 2 weeks (equal to 3-5 uses) |
Remember though that this information may slightly vary since the duration of storage hangs significantly upon the quality of the product and better oils last longer than their cheaper counterparts.
Storage Tips And Nuances
So how do we store peanut oil?
In fact, it’s not a big deal.
- Keep the bottle tightly screwed all the time to prevent contamination
- Stock it in a shaded and dry place
- Keep the bottle away from heating objects
- Refrigeration is not a must even for an unscrewed bottle but if the plan is to stock it for a year or so, you’d better chill the foodstuff
- In case some utilized product must be saved, never let it stay in the deep fryer. Drain it to the plastic/glass tank after it is not hot anymore and double-check there are no food particles in it.
Such rules seem simple but believe us, they can literally save the product and preserve it fresh and safe for you longer.
How Long Does Peanut Oil Stay Good For Deep Frying?
Some of us often exploit groundnut oil for deep frying since it gives the food its nutty aroma. Naturally, everyone is curious about how long such a product will remain suitable for this purpose.
Well, we can say that it hangs upon whether your product is opened or still sealed.
Since unscrewed oil stays fine for twelve months for sure, it would be more reasonable to go for this one for deep frying.
On the other hand, if you already unscrewed the bottle, it’s ok to exploit it if the product is still fine and usable.
In case you notice any symptoms of rancidity, don’t deep fry on this oil since it can be harmful!
How To Tell If Peanut Oil Is Bad?
And here we have come to the most worrying issue.
How to define whether peanut oil is bad or good?
Go for one of these 100% working methods to do this:
- The bad oil becomes deep-brown, its shade darkens
- Its odor became unpleasant and rancid
- If the oil is cloudy or you see the fats breaking down throw it away without hesitation!
Such a product is unsuitable for both frying and using it as it is.
4 Tips To Tell If Peanut Oil Has Gone Bad
The better you look after your foods, the more chances they will last longer, remaining safe to consume and keeping all their vitamins and nutritious elements.
But this rule does not only work for fruits, vegetables, and other products. It’s also true for oils, including peanut oil. Below, you can check four signs that will show you your oil has turned bad or is getting close to this point.
Your Peanut Oil Looks Different
When peanut oil becomes bad, it changes its color. This is one of the first symptoms of deterioration and spoilage. If you check a bottle of oil and see it has turned brown or its shade has darkened, this is the first red flag for you!
You should check whether other spoilage symptoms are present (read about them below) to decide what to do.
Your Peanut Oil Smells Strange Or Unpleasant
Smell is another common sign of a product’s decay. We all know that bad/spoiled foods start smelling off and unpleasant. With peanut oil, it’s the same. If you have any suspicions that your peanut oil might turn bad, open the bottle and give it a good whiff. If your oil gives off a putrid or chemical-like smell, it’s most likely rancid already.
Your Peanut Oil Tastes Bad
Taste is another obvious sign of food spoilage that can show you clearly your product is not edible anymore. Speaking of peanut oil, sooner or later, it goes rancid anyway, even if you keep it unopened in a cool spot. If you are not sure whether it is still consumable, try to taste it. You can easily tell that your oil has gone rancid if it tastes sharp or bitter.
Your Peanut Oil Has Lost Its Cooking Quality
This “symptom” is rarely considered by people, but you should keep it in mind as well to tell whether your peanut oil is ok or not. Perhaps, it’s a bit harder to notice, but once peanut oil becomes rancid, it loses its ability to be used in food preparation. So if you try to use it for frying, for example, and you see it doesn’t work, then it’s definitely rancid.
The Risk of Eating Expired Peanut Oil
Everyone knows that eating spoiled/rotten/bad foods often leads to food poisoning or at least it can make you pretty sick. This is why people often wonder whether using rancid or suspiciously smelling/tasting peanut oil can be dangerous.
First of all, if you sense or taste that your peanut oil is not good anymore, you should discard it immediately. If you use old or expired peanut oil for cooking, it will give your dishes an unpleasant rancid taste.
However, it will not cause you much harm or make you sick! Anyway, if you are in doubt about a bottle of peanut oil that has been on the shelf for a while, just throw it out to be safe.
Can You Freeze Peanut Oil?
Freezing foods is the best and the simplest way of preserving them and keeping them edible longer. However, when it comes to oils, it’s often not quite clear whether they can be safely frozen and, if they can, then how to do it correctly without spoiling the product.
Speaking of peanut oil, it does freeze well. However, if you decide to freeze it, note that it’s likely to lose its flavor, especially after long-term freezing (for a year or more). On the other hand, its frying and cooking abilities will not degrade and it won’t affect the taste and flavor of the dish.
You can freeze peanut oil by pouring it into a container. Just ensure you fill it in at most four-fifths of the total volume. Then, seal the container, and transfer it to the freezer.
But some people freeze peanut oil in ice cube trays since it makes it easier to add it to dishes later. You just need to trow a few cubes onto your frying pan without pre-thawing them!
Can You Reuse Peanut Oil After Frying?
Some people wonder whether it is safe to reuse peanut oil after frying.
In fact, it is possible but only if following certain instructions to make it safe to make use of later.
- After cooking, leave the product to chill
- Remove all the bulky particles of batter
- Take an empty tank, settle down a cheesecloth over it, and strain the product
- If noticing any debris, throw it away
- Close the tank firmly and stock it in a cool and dry place
And remember the oil breaks down with every next use so you’d better never cook in it for more than two times.
Groundnut oil is a great and 100% organic product of nature that serves as the perfect replacement for the less useful and healthy foodstuff that we are used to. It fits fryings, hot savory dishes, and salads giving them a slightly nutty aroma.
Stock it correctly, and this product will serve you very long.
Conclusion
Well, now you know how to handle peanut oil to store it correctly. We told you about storage tips and methods suitable for this kind of oil. Also, you learned how to extend its shelf life by freezing it.
You also know how to tell your peanut oil has gone rancid to avoid any unpleasant effects it may have on you! All this will help you benefit from using this healthy product in your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ What is the best oil for deep frying?
The official version is that groundnut and canola oils are the best ones. They have the highest smoke points which make them stable during the procedure of frying.
⭐ Can peanut oil go bad?
Yes, it can turn stale if stored improperly, so keep an eye on this product and check it regularly for the symptoms of rancidity.
⭐ How many times can you reuse peanut oil?
No official answer exists, however, since the product will break down with every new fry, it’s better to repeatedly use it once or twice.
⭐ Is frying in peanut oil healthy?
Peanut oil is low in saturated fat and high in unsaturated fats which indeed makes it healthier for preparing food compared to other similar products.
⭐ Is reusing oil bad?
If it is reused without the deep fryer, it is extremely harmful to our health since such a product increases cholesterol, leads to cancer, and destroys organs cells.
⭐ Can you freeze peanut oil?
Yes, it can be chilled but this option is not the optimal one since the product will most likely alter its aroma and taste as a result.
