How Long Does Cooking Oil Last

Food Storage - How long can you keep...

How long does an unopened bottle of vegetable oil last? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions -to maximize shelf life, store in a cool, dark area.
How long does an unopened bottle of vegetable oil last at room temperature? Properly stored, an unopened bottle of vegetable oil will generally stay at best quality for about 24 months.
Is unopened vegetable oil safe to use after the expiration date on the bottle? Yes, provided it is properly stored and the bottle is undamaged - commercially bottled vegetable oil will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," Best Before, or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the vegetable oil will remain at peak quality.
Storage time shown is for best quality only - after that, the vegetable oil's texture, color or flavor may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe to consume if it has been stored properly, the bottle is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below).
How can you tell if vegetable oil is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the vegetable oil: if the oil develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded.

Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here