You’ve probably heard that peanut butter is a superfood that’s good for you. Maybe you’ve even tried it. But have you ever wondered if your peanut butter has gone bad? Or how long it will stay fresh?
Here I’ll answer these questions and more to help keep your peanut butter delicious and nutritious for as long as possible.
Does Peanut Butter Go Bad?
Peanut butter is a long-shelf life product; it can be kept for months in the pantry without losing its flavor. However, peanut butter will go bad quickly if it’s exposed to moisture and oxygen. It’s important to keep them in an airtight container and away from direct sunlight.
How Long Does Peanut Butter Last?
There are many factors that can determine how long peanut butter lasts. The most important factor is the type of peanut butter you have.
If you are using your peanut butter in recipes, then it can be stored at room temperature for up to six months. If you are using peanut butter as a spread, then you can store it in the pantry for up to 18 months.
Other things that will determine how long your jar of peanut butter lasts include the storage method and whether or not there is any moisture present inside your product container.
How to Store Peanut Butter
To keep your peanut butter fresh for as long as possible, store it in a cool, dry place. Heat and light can cause the oil to separate from the peanut butter, which is not good.
You should also be sure to keep it in an airtight container so that no moisture gets in or out of there. If you don’t use peanut butter regularly (or all at once), freezing is a great option: just make sure you take it out of the freezer before attempting to open/spread/eat.
How to Tell If Peanut Butter Is Bad
There are a couple of main ways to tell if peanut butter has gone bad. First, check for mold. If you see any mold on the surface of the peanut butter or around its lid, throw it out immediately. Mold grows quickly and can make you sick if consumed, so don’t take any chances!
Also, look at the color of your peanut butter; if it looks brown or tan instead of creamy white (like fresh cream), then there’s a chance it has oxidized and gone bad.
Finally, check that there is no expiration date listed on your jar—if there isn’t one present and you’ve had this product for more than six months (or less), consider getting rid of it immediately since foods without an expiration date may be unsafe to eat after long periods without refrigeration.
4 Tips To Keep Peanut Butter Fresh Longer
Peanut butter is a delicious spread that’s made from peanuts, oil, and salt. It’s also high in protein and has no cholesterol. Unfortunately, it tends to go rancid quickly. To keep peanut butter fresh longer, you’ll need to store it properly and use it within six months of opening the jar.
To keep peanut butter fresh longer:
Tip 1: Store the peanut butter in a cool place such as the refrigerator or freezer instead of at room temperature.
Tip 2: Don’t leave the jar open for long periods of time; this will allow moisture into the jar and cause it to go bad more quickly.
Tip 3: Don’t leave the lid off for too long after scooping out some peanut butter from inside; moisture from the air may cause your peanut butter to go bad more quickly.
Tip 4: Replace your jar every six months if you don’t plan on using it up during that time period; otherwise, you might end up throwing away spoiled peanut butter when you open it later on down the road.
Conclusion
Peanut butter is a delicious, nutritious, and versatile ingredient that we all love to eat. However, it does have a shelf life and can go bad if it’s not stored properly. Luckily for us, there are some simple steps you can take to store peanut butter properly so it stays fresh longer!
Kate has been in the food business for over 20 years. Worked as a cook at several buffets which include Old Country Buffet, Five Star Buffet, and Ichiban Buffet. Now, I’m mostly at home cooking for my family, caring for chickens and ducks, and tending the garden.
