An almond butter jar can be opened, eaten on toast a few times, and then forgotten in the pantry. The almond butter might expire before you get to use it all, so you want to buy a few jars, but you’re worried it might be on sale.
The length of time almond butter lasts depends on the expiration date, whether it is opened or unopened, and whether it is stored in the fridge or pantry. If left in a cool, dark environment, almond butter can last up to one year. Once opened, almond butter should be consumed within 3–5 months. The best way to store almond butter plus how long it lasts can be found in the following article!
How Long Does Unopened Almond Butter Last?
When kept in a cool, dark environment, almond butter will last quite a while unopened. Check the best-by date on almond butter before purchasing and storing. Almond butter should be used by this date to prevent it from deteriorating in quality. However, if the almond butter is left unopened, it might still be fine to eat after this date.
When left in the pantry, almond butter stays good for 4 months after its best-by date, and almost a year if kept in the refrigerator. When stored properly, almond butter can last for a long time unopened! Be sure to check for spoilage when using almond butter that has been stored for a long time, especially if it has passed its best-by date.
How Long Does Opened Almond Butter Last?
As soon as you open a jar of almond butter, it is exposed to air, moisture, and bacteria, which sets the expiration date for the almond butter. Despite being perishable, almond butter lasts quite a while, and it can be used for quite a while.
You can keep opened almond butter in the pantry for up to three months, whereas you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to nine months once it is opened. Check for a best-by date or expiry date on almond butter before you use it, especially if it has gone past the date.
Where Is The Best Place To Store Almond Butter
Depending on how quickly you will use it, almond butter can be stored in the pantry or the refrigerator. If you enjoy almond butter often, then storing it in your pantry is fine. However, your pantry must be cool and dry, and it must be dark as well. This will keep the almond butter fresh for around three to five months. Keeping almond butter in the fridge will help to keep its best quality for longer, extending its shelf life by a few months.
The only problem with keeping almond butter in the refrigerator is that it will harden and become difficult to spread. Keep almond butter in the pantry for a spreadable texture, but a shorter shelf life, and in the fridge for a harder-to-spread texture.
How To Tell If Almond Butter Has Gone Bad
Although almond butter can last for a good few months in the fridge or pantry, it will eventually spoil if left too long, so it is important to know what the signs are. In almond butter spoilage, it is the oil that goes rancid. When the oil is exposed to light, moisture, air, and bacteria, it starts to spoil more quickly.
It is not necessarily a sign that the almond butter is spoiled if you see an oil layer on top when you open the jar.As long as there are no other signs that the almond butter has spoiled, you can stir it back together if it separates and a layer of oil rises to the top. You can tell if almond butter has spoiled by these signs!
Rancid Smell
The rancid smell will be quite apparent when you open a container of almond butter once the oil in it has spoiled. Almond butter that smells rancid, sour, or off should be discarded since it is well past the point of being safe to consume.
Change In Texture
It is also likely that almond butter will change its texture as it begins to spoil. Usually, it’s just a simple separation of the ingredients, with the oil rising to the top. However, if the rest of the almond butter is clumpy and grainy, it may have gone bad.
If you notice that oil has risen to the top of the almond butter, stir it – if the almond butter is still grainy, clumpy, or not mixing well, then throw it out.
Change In Color
There is a chance that almond butter could discolor if left too long. It may turn a lighter, paler, gray color, or mold may grow on the surface, appearing as white, green, black, or gray spots. Throw away any almond butter that is discolored or has mold spots.
Taste
The taste of rancid almond butter might be your first clue that the almond butter has gone bad if you have not noticed any other signs. A spoiled almond butter will have a rancid, sour taste – it will not taste nutty, sweet, earthy, or creamy. Once you taste spoiled almond butter, throw it away immediately.
How Long Does Homemade Almond Butter Last?
If you were to make your own almond butter, you could control the ingredients and the consistency. Due to the lack of preservatives, homemade almond butter does not last as long as store-bought almond butter.
If stored properly in an airtight, secure, and clean container, homemade almond butter can last for up to two weeks after making it.
Does Almond Butter Contain Dairy?
People often assume almond butter contains some dairy because it’s creamy and delicious.There is no dairy in almond butter, so it can be kept in the pantry for a few months without spoiling! For those with lactose intolerance or a dairy-free diet, this is an ideal alternative.
Be sure to check the label of the almond butter you purchase to ensure there are no additives that contain dairy, which could cause it to go bad sooner.
Final Thoughts
The almond butter will last for around six months in the pantry, and nine months in the fridge. Almond butter will last longer in the fridge, around nine months, but five months in the pantry. In a dark, cool, and dry environment, almond butter is best kept as moisture, air, and light can increase bacterial growth.
Check for signs of spoilage when opening a jar of almond butter that has been in your pantry or fridge for a long time, especially if it has passed its best-by date.
Related Questions
Having learned about almond butter and how long it might last, here are some additional questions we thought you might have.
Does almond butter go bad even if kept in the fridge?
Even if kept in the fridge, almond butter can go bad, but it will take longer than almond butter kept at room temperature.
Can you eat expired almond butter?
If there are no other signs of spoilage, you might still be able to eat expired almond butter.
Is almond butter healthier than peanut butter?
There are more minerals and fiber in almond butter than in peanut butter, which makes it slightly healthier.