How Long Does Almond Butter Last in the Fridge?

Almond butter is a great alternative to peanut butter for those with peanut allergies or who just want to try something different.

It’s also just tasty itself and can be used in a bunch of yummy dishes. However, you may be wondering how long it lasts and how to tell once it’s spoiled.

Or perhaps you want to know if it even goes bad to begin with. Well, keep reading, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about almond butter, including how to best store it.

We’ll even throw in some ideas to use it!

How Long Does Almond Butter Last in the Fridge?

While it’s not necessary to keep almond butter in the fridge, refrigeration is definitely the preferred storage method once your almond butter is open, and it’s still a great way to extend its lifespan if it is unopened.

It will last a long time if it’s in an airtight container and you store it this way.

If you have not yet opened your almond butter, it’ll last about six months beyond its best by date in your kitchen cabinet or pantry. However, that can be prolonged to a full year if you store it in the fridge.

Once it is open, these dates shrink, but your almond butter can still last a while, especially if it’s refrigerated.

By keeping it in the fridge, you can keep your opened almond butter fresh for about four months longer than it would stay good in the pantry. It’ll only last about 3-5 months in the pantry at this point, so that means in the fridge, almond butter that has been opened will stay good for up to nine months.

Keep in mind that this is only true for store-bought almond butter. Homemade almond butter is delicious but it won’t last as long – it keeps for only about two weeks.

It also doesn’t have the option of being stored at room temperature and needs to be refrigerated. So, the shelf life of almond butter definitely differs between homemade nut butter and commercial nut butter.

Does Almond Butter Go Bad?

The quick answer is yes. Unfortunately, almond butter does eventually go bad.

Most commonly, it just goes rancid. This means it’s probably not going to be harmful to eat bad almond butter, it just won’t be pleasant.

However, while it’s most often the case that almond butter goes bad by turning rancid, it is possible for it to simply spoil or get moldy. In either case, you should discard it, just to be safe.

If you have unopened almond butter and it’s past its expiry date, it’s also best to just discard it.

How to Tell If Almond Butter Has Gone Bad?

Rancid almond butter usually has a bad smell that is vaguely chemical, like old paint or nail polish remover. People have described it as a paint-like smell.

Sometimes rancid almond butter smells nice and nutty still but has developed a bad taste. If it seems off, either way, you should throw it out.

It’s always a bad idea to eat something if you suspect it’s gone off. It can feel wasteful to throw out a whole jar of the stuff, but it really is the best thing to do, even if it’s an unopened jar of almond butter.

You also always want to be aware of other kinds of foul odors or tastes, as well as abnormal visual or texture changes.

Keep in mind that oil separation isn’t concerning, but we’ll cover more on that a little later. It’s not at all uncommon for a layer of oil to form when it’s stored outside of a refrigerator.

The things you want to look out for are stuff like mold growing on the surface or black spots. If any of these usual signs of spoilage present themselves, or if your almond butter just doesn’t seem quite right, it’s a good idea to go ahead and toss it, just to be safe.

The Best Way to Store Almond Butter

Air, light, heat, and moisture are all going to help your almond butter go rancid more quickly. Therefore, you want to store it in a tightly sealed container and stow it in a place that minimizes exposure to all of these elements.

That’s why refrigeration is going to be so beneficial in lengthening the freshness of your almond butter.

The fridge is usually the right place to store almond butter. However, just keep it far away from direct sunlight and find a cool place for it to be kept.

One thing to remember is that keeping your almond butter in the fridge is going to cause it to not only get cold but harder and more firm in texture.

It’ll soften up as it warms up, but this is unappealing to some people, so they may prefer to keep it at room temperature. Storing it in a pantry or cabinet is absolutely fine, as long as it is a dark place and cool.

However, this does have its own drawbacks, as the oil in almond butter will start to separate if there are warm temperatures. It’s not harmful by any means, but it is something to note.

Can You Freeze Almond Butter?

Absolutely! Freezing almond butter is a great way to store it and keep it from spoiling quickly.

It tolerates the freezer well, as there is not really a difference in quality to be found between never-been-frozen almond butter and freshly-frozen-and-thawed almond butter.

If you do want to freeze your almond butter, make sure to give it a good stir first. This will help make sure the oil is pretty evenly distributed.

Then you might want to consider dividing it into small amounts first. If you portion out your almond butter before freezing it, it’ll be easier to handle, as you won’t have to thaw out the whole container to get a scoop, and then refreeze it all again.

Also, make sure that you use a freezer bag or otherwise freezer-friendly container, and that it’s air-tight.

What To Do If You See Oil Separation?

Don’t worry! If your almond butter starts to separate, it’s perfectly normal. There’s no danger in the oil separating, it’s just what happens at room temperature. All you have to do is stir it a bit, and it will recombine.

If it really bothers you, you may want to consider storing your almond butter in the fridge, as this will minimize separation.

You can also purchase almond butter that is emulsified with another type of oil – which can help prevent separation as well.

What Happens If You Eat Expired Almond Butter?

If you eat expired almond butter, probably nothing bad is going to happen. Though this depends on the quality and state of the almond butter, and how long past its expiration date it is.

In general, almond butter is actually going to last a while longer than the expiration date and maintain its freshness. So if you’re just a little past that date, you’re probably just fine.

If it’s never been opened, your almond butter should be good for 3-6 months past the date the label lists, if it’s stored in the pantry, and up to 9 months, if refrigerated.

However, the most important thing to remember is just to pay attention to the almond butter itself, rather than the date.

If your almond butter has a bad odor, it’s probably rancid. If you see fuzz growing, it’s most likely mold. You’ll want to avoid consuming it in either case.

Fortunately, rancidity is the most common way that almond butter goes bad, and it also is the least harmful. It’s generally not unsafe, it just isn’t pleasant.

However, everyone’s body is different, and these are just general statements, so you should always err on the side of caution.

How To Use Up Old Almond Butter

Almond butter is great on toast, but it’s also incredibly versatile. If you’re not sure how to use up your whole jar of almond butter, here are a few ideas:

• Bake with it! Almond butter is great in desserts and pastries. There are tons of recipes for yummy muffins out there that call for almond butter as a key ingredient. It’s also particularly good with chocolate-flavored treats.
• Put it in your morning smoothie. Almond butter is an awesome add-in for smoothies. It adds a nice nutty flavor that goes with many fruits and offers a good thick texture.
• Cooked in something savory. Almond butter can be used for dinner dishes too! If you match with the right veggies and proteins, it can make delicious soups. It’s also great in certain marinades and in curries too.
• As a condiment. You can use almond butter on its own as a dip for snacks like apple slices. It’s also great combined with other things to make salad dressings, pestos, and sauces.
• AB&J. Try a slight twist on an old classic. Almond butter is a great substitute for peanut butter in a yummy sandwich.
• Eat it with oats. Almond butter is delicious when mixed with either oatmeal or granola for a healthy breakfast meal.
• On its own! That’s right, almond butter is tasty if you eat it just with a spoon!

Why Would You Choose Almond Butter?

There are many reasons why people choose to consume almond butter over peanut butter, but very commonly it’s due to a peanut allergy.

The kind of allergic reaction that a peanut allergy has is often life-threatening. The easiest way for them to still be able to have that yummy nutty taste is to simply substitute the kind of nut.

Another reason people choose almond butter is because of the healthy fats that fresh almond butter contains.

Whether you make your own raw almond butter or invest in store-bought nut butters, they all hold some great healthy and nutritious qualities.

Find out other health benefits that come from consuming but butters right here.

Conclusion

Almond butter is a super tasty spread that should be a staple of your pantry if it’s not already.

It’s great because it lasts for months even after opening and without refrigeration, but can be kept fresh for longer by keeping it sealed and chilled.

It’s useful in recipes for just about every meal, and it’s not difficult to store.

The main thing to remember with almond butter is that it is going to go rancid eventually, and this will happen more quickly if it’s stored in a well-lit and warm area.

However, with best storage practices, you’ll finish your almond butter long before it ever turns bad.