How Long Does Grape Seed Oil Last?

With a high level of polyunsaturated fats and vitamin E with antioxidant properties, grapeseed oil has become a very popular alternative cooking oil. If you’re thinking about adding it to the types of oils you cook with, you may be wondering, “How Long Does Grape Seed Oil Last.” This article will talk about the shelf life of the oil and will provide you with some awesome ways to use it.

How Is Grapeseed Oil Made?

A fun fact about grape seed oil is that its actually a byproduct from wine making. Once the seeds of grapes are extracted from the fruit, they are pressed to make oil. In order to make 8 ounces of oil, one ton of grape seeds are needed.

How To Store Grapeseed Oil

Proper storage has a lot do with the length of the shelf life of grape seed oil. Just like any other cooking oil, like peanut oil and olive oil, grapeseed oil should always be kept in an airtight container in a cool dark place in your pantry away from direct light or any type of heat. If possible, store it in a dark bottle to help protect it from bright light.

You can also store it in the fridge because unlike other types of cooking oil that become thick or cloudy when chilled, grapeseed oil stays clear and fluid when chilled.

Can Grape Seed Oil Go Bad?

All cooking oils can eventually go bad and grapeseed oil is no different. When purchasing it at the grocery store, you should look for the printed expiration date on the bottle and use it prior to that date.

If you have an unopened bottle of grape seed oil that has been refrigerated since it was purchased, it can still be fresh up to six months past the expiration date, but you should check it for signs of spoilage before using it if past that date.

Once you have opened the bottle, it has been exposed to air, so the shelf life begins to decline. Room temperature grapeseed oil should typically be used within three months of opening. You can extend the life by several months of an opened bottle by storing it in the fridge.

What are the Signs of Spoilage?

Best quality grapeseed oil should be light yellowish-green in color and smell very neutral or almost odorless. The main indicator of rancid oil is it has an unpleasant odor or sour odor. Though it is not always harmful to consume rancid grape seed oil, it usually does not have a very pleasant taste so it’s best avoided when cooking.

Ways to Use Grapeseed Oil in the Kitchen

There are several great ways to use this light and bright, high smoke point oil for cooking. Here are a few of top recommendations:

• Deep frying: Because it has a relatively high smoke point of 420 degrees, you can use it for high heat deep frying. It is pricier that regular vegetable oil, avocado oil and peanut oil, so you may want to use it when deep frying small batches of foods.

• Searing meat: If you’re want to get a good sear on roasts, chicken, or pork, grapeseed oil works great. It’s a not only a great choice because it can get really hot without smoking up your kitchen, but it also has a mild to flavorless taste that doesn’t transfer to whatever you’re cooking.

• Grilling: You can use grape seed oil in marinades for recipes such as these stuffed pork chops and veggie kabobs because it will hold up great for grilling with high temperatures.

• Sautéing and stir-frying vegetables: Grape seed oil has such a mild flavor that it is perfect for using to cook vegetables with because it doesn’t cover up the natural flavors in the vegetables.

• Salad dressing and sauces: Eating salad everyday is a healthy way to get tons of vitamins and nutrients, especially when you make your own healthy dressings like this. Grape seed oil refrigerates very well, so it’s awesome as a base for salad dressings or other cold sauces. 

• Infused oil: If you love to bake with flavored oil instead of extracts in order to avoid the alcohol, grape seed oil is a great choice as a base oil for infusing. For vanilla, just split open several vanilla beans and place them in a glass bottle with some grape seed oil. Place the bottle in a cool place for about 10 days and you can use it in 1:1 ratio for extract.

Other Purposes for Grape Seed Oil

There are other great benefits grape seed oil. If you have some expired grapeseed oil here are some great ways to put it to use:

Skin Care

Grape seed oil is a great source of vitamin E, which is associated with reducing signs of aging and dry skin. Grape seed oil also has omega-6 in the form of linolenic acid, may help reduce inflammation in the skin’s middle and outer layers.

You can apply it directly to all skin types because it does not clog pores. Just massage in a few drops on your face and body just like you would coconut oil. You can even use it as a makeup remover.

Hair Care

Grape seed oil is also great for the hair and scalp. When used as a regular hair care product, grape seed’s anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties can even promote hair growth.

Unlike other oils like, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil, grape seed oil is lightweight and will not leave the hair feeling greasy. Rub a few tablespoons in your hair and scalp. Then shampoo and condition it as usual. It really adds a lot of moisture and shin to your hair.

Aromatherapy

Grape seed oil is great used as a carrier oil for aromatherapy massage oil with other essential oils. Just add a few drops of your favorite essential oils in a roller bottle and fill with grapeseed oil.

What are Substitutions for Grape Seed Oil?

Though not all oils are created equal as far as health benefits, when cooking, other refined oils that are an easy substitute for grapeseed oil is canola, vegetable, and refined peanut oil.