If your household goes through almond butter quickly, this might not be an issue; but if you bought a jar a while back and are wondering if almond butter goes bad, keep reading for all the deets and how to keep it fresh longer.
While it can last a long time when properly stored, it’s not a food that you can hold on to forever after it’s been opened.
How to Tell if Almond Butter is Bad
It’s not common for almond butter to deteriorate quickly after it’s been opened, but it can happen -mostly due to improper storage. More on this below.
Homemade almond butter doesn’t last as long, about two weeks, so it’s always best to make the amount you can consume.
You’ll often hear people say that it’s gone “rancid,” which basically means that it’s bad and needs to be thrown out.
Here are the tell-tale signs and what to look out for:
Discoloration
One of the first clues that almond butter is no longer good to eat is that the coloring is different. If it looks lighter or darker than it should be, it’s not safe to eat.
Mold
An obvious one since it’s a very visual clue. If you’re tempted to scrape off the mold from the top or the rim of the jar, don’t. There could be bacteria in the spread itself.
Smells “off”
If you open the jar and you get a whiff of a not-so-great smell, you just experience what people refer to as a rancid smell. While it may taste ok, it’s probably time to throw it out.
Tastes weird
Sometimes, upon inspection, there’s nothing visibly different, nor does it smell off, but the second you taste it, it’s stale. Yup, sadly, it’s gone bad.
Texture has changed
Lastly, if the texture is grainy and what was once creamy has now separated, or the oils it once had are no longer there, it’s definitely an indicator that it’s passed its prime.
How to Store Almond Butter
Both homemade and store-bought almond butter should be stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight and heat. For this reason, most people choose to store their jars in the refrigerator.
It’s normal for almond butter to settle and its natural oils to rise to the top over time. Before spreading it, all you need to do is use a knife or a spoon to mix it well and combine.
Do You Have to Refrigerate Almond Butter
While refrigerating almond butter is not necessary after opening with store-bought brands, it does extend its shelf life to months. Homemade almond butter will last days in the pantry vs a couple of weeks in the fridge.
If you go through a jar quickly, in a week or two, refrigeration might not be necessary, and you can store it in the pantry.
How Long Does Almond Butter Last
Unopened, store-bought almond butter will stay good until the “best by” date printed on the jar. Once opened, it lasts 3 to 5 months in the pantry and up to 9 months in the fridge.
Homemade almond butter should be refrigerated and consumed within 2 weeks.
These general guidelines apply to peanut butter and peanut butter alternatives.
Can You Freeze Almond Butter
Believe it or not, you can freeze almond butter for up to 6 months while it’s still good and recently opened. You can freeze it in small quantities, about 1 to 2 tablespoon sizes (enough for a sandwich) on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in the amount you can consume within a week in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Barbara Price says
Why would store bought almond butter with no additives last longer than my homemade almond butter properly stored? I use 2lb bag of roasted almonds to make a batch of almond butter. This stores in the fridge without a change in smell flavor or consistency for many weeks.
Laura Fuentes says
Many store bought almond butters add a little oil at the top to seal the almond butter and prevent it from going bad, at least slow it down.