5 YRWorks without power
Quick facts
- Real shelf life5 years
- Label date says2 years
- Best storageCool
- Watch forRancid smell
Where this sits on the food shopping list
How to check it
Cooking Oils
Warning signs Rancidity, giving the oil a foul, stale smell or taste.
How to check Smell it; rancid oil has a very distinctive odor. Do not taste it to check.

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Questions this answers
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How long does coconut oil last?
Coconut oil has a real shelf life of about 5 years when stored well in a cool place, even though the label date says 2 years. A rancid smell is the thing to watch for.
How do I store coconut oil long term?
Keep coconut oil stored cool. Stored that way its real shelf life is 5 years, well beyond the 2 years on the label. Check it by smell now and then, since rancidity is the way it fails.
How do I tell if coconut oil has gone bad?
Smell it first. Rancid oil has a very distinctive foul, stale odor, and the same staleness shows up in the taste. Do not taste it to check.
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