Homemade Almond Nut Butter in a jar and small bowl, with almonds on wooden board
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How Long Does Almond Butter Last?

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It’s easy enough to open a jar of almond butter, have it on toast a few times, and then forget about it at the back of the pantry for a while.

Or maybe you’ve found almond butter on special, so you want to buy a few jars, but you’re worried that the almond butter might expire before you get to use it all.

How long does almond butter last? How long almond butter lasts will depend on the expiry date, whether or not it is opened or unopened, and whether it is stored in the fridge or pantry. Unopened almond butter can last for up to 1 year if left in a cool, dark environment. Once opened, almond butter should be used within 3–5 months.

Read on to find out more about how long almond butter lasts, plus how best to store it!

How Long Does Unopened Almond Butter Last?

Unopened almond butter generally lasts for quite some time, especially if it is kept in a cool, dark environment.

When purchasing and storing almond butter, make sure to check for a best-by date.

This date indicates when the almond butter should be used by before it starts to decline in quality. However, if the almond butter is left unopened, it might still be fine to eat after this point.

Generally, unopened almond butter can be kept for around 4 months after the best-by date when left in the pantry, and almost a year if left in the refrigerator.

This means that unopened almond butter can last for a long time when stored properly!

Just make sure to check for any signs of spoiling when using almond butter that has been stored away for a long time, especially if it has passed its best-by date.

How Long Does Opened Almond Butter Last?

Once you open a jar of almond butter, the almond butter is exposed to air, moisture, and bacteria — this starts the clock on the time period the almond butter needs to be used in.

While perishable, almond butter does last for quite some time, and you do have a good few months in which to use it.

Opened almond butter can be kept in the pantry for around 3–5 months, whereas opened almond butter can be kept in the fridge for up to nine months.

Keep in mind that you should always check for a best-by date or an expiry date, and check the almond butter before using it, especially if it has gone past the date indicated.

Where Is The Best Place To Store Almond Butter

Almond butter can be stored either in the pantry or in the fridge, depending on how quickly you will be using it.

If you enjoy almond butter often, then storing it in the pantry is fine. However, the pantry should be cool and dry, and it should be dark too. This will keep the almond butter in good condition for around 3–5 months.

For longer-term storage, it is best to store the almond butter in the fridge. The fridge provides a good environment for the almond butter to keep its best quality for longer and will extend the shelf life by a few more months.

The only problem with keeping the almond butter in the refrigerator is that the almond butter will harden, and this makes it difficult to spread when it is time to eat.

So keep the almond butter in the pantry for an easily spreadable texture, but shorter shelf life, and in the fridge for a longer shelf life, but a more difficult-to-spread consistency.

How To Tell If Almond Butter Has Gone Bad

While almond butter can last for a good few months, whether in the fridge or the pantry, it will eventually go off if left for too long, so it does help to know the signs to look for that almond butter has spoiled.

With almond butter spoiling, it is the oil that will begin to go rancid. The oil starts to spoil when it is exposed to light, moisture, air, and bacteria, and the warmer the environment, the faster the bacteria grow.

However, a layer of oil at the top of the almond butter when you open the jar does not necessarily mean that the almond butter has spoiled!

There is some separation that can happen, and it is normal for a layer of oil to rise to the top — as long as there are no other signs that the almond butter has spoiled, you can stir it back together again.

Here are the signs that almond butter has spoiled!

Rancid Smell

Once the oil in the almond butter begins to spoil, there will be a very rancid smell. When you open the container, the rancid smell should be quite apparent.

If you notice this rancid, sour, or off smell, then it is best to throw the almond butter away as it is well past the point of being safe to eat.

Change In Texture

Almond butter will likely change its texture as it begins to spoil too.

This could be a simple separation of the ingredients, with the oil rising to the top, which isn’t usually a problem — however, if the rest of the almond butter is clumpy and grainy, then it could mean that it has gone bad.

If you notice that oil has risen to the top of the almond butter, give it a stir — if the almond butter is still grainy, clumpy, or not mixing together well, then it is better to throw it away.

Change In Color

If almond butter has been left for too long, then there is a chance that some discoloration might happen.

The almond butter could turn a lighter, paler, gray color, or there might even be mold that grows on the surface, which could be white, green, black, or gray spots.

If you notice any discoloration of the almond butter, or if there are spots of mold, then throw the almond butter away.

Taste

You do not want to have to taste rancid almond butter, but if you haven’t picked up on any other signs that the almond butter has spoiled, the taste might be your first sign that it has gone bad.

Spoiled almond butter will have a rancid, sour taste to it — it will not taste nutty, sweet, earthy, or creamy. Once you taste it and it is spoiled, throw it away immediately.

How Long Does Homemade Almond Butter Last?

You might be tempted to make your own almond butter since you would be in control of the ingredients you add and the consistency that the almond butter turns out.

The problem is that homemade almond butter does not last as long as store-bought almond butter, as it does not contain any preservatives.

Once you have made homemade almond butter, it is best to store it in the fridge to keep it in the best quality. If stored properly in a clean, airtight, and secure container, then homemade almond butter can last for up to 2 weeks.

Does Almond Butter Contain Dairy?

Almond butter is creamy and delicious, and for this reason, people often think that it contains some dairy.

Almond butter does not contain any dairy, which is why it can be kept in the pantry for a few months without spoiling!

This makes it a great alternative for those who follow a dairy-free diet, and who are lactose intolerant. 

However, make sure to check the label of the almond butter you are purchasing to ensure that there are no additives that contain dairy, which could cause the almond butter to go bad faster.

Final Thoughts

Almond butter can last a good few months, whether kept in the pantry or in the fridge. Almond butter will last for longer when kept in the fridge, around 9 months, but in the pantry, it will last for around 6 months.

It is best to keep the almond butter in a cool, dry, and dark environment as moisture, air, and light could increase bacteria growth.

When opening a jar of almond butter that has been in your pantry or fridge for some time, make sure to look for signs that it might have spoiled, especially if it has passed its best-by or expiry date.

Related Questions

Now that we’ve learned all about almond butter and how long it might last, here are some additional questions that we thought you might have.

Does almond butter go bad even if kept in the fridge?

Almond butter can go bad even if it is kept in the fridge, but it will take longer to go off compared to almond butter that has been stored at room temperature.

Can you eat expired almond butter?

It might still be fine to eat expired almond butter if there are no other signs that the almond butter has spoiled. 

Is almond butter healthier than peanut butter?

Almond butter is slightly more healthy than peanut butter, as it has more minerals and fiber.

Related Thoughts

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