There is no need to refrigerate the balsamic glaze as they are primarily made by reducing balsamic vinegar and are used for marinades or sauces. The shelf life of unopened balsamic glaze is between 3 to 5 years.
You can refrigerate it if you use balsamic glaze primarily for salads and like it chilled. However, if you’re using them for sauces, marinades, and reductions, store them in a cupboard in a dark space.
But should you store a balsamic glaze in a refrigerator? If yes, how exactly do you store them, so they do not get spoiled after opening them?
That’s what we will primarily be discussing in this article. We will also see if balsamic glaze could be frozen to make it last longer, so none of that goes to waste.
We will not go into many details and technicalities of its reduction but only preservation. If you want to know how to increase the shelf life of balsamic vinegar, continue reading below.
Can You Store Balsamic Glaze In The Refrigerator?

You do not need to store your Balsamic Glaze in the refrigerator after you have opened it.
Balsamic glaze is a sweet yet thick condiment made from reducing balsamic vinegar at a shallow temperature for hours. It is made from vinegar, which means that it’s naturally a preservative on its own.
Balsamic vinegar has a long shelf life, about 3 years, as it ages in a battery of wooden barrels. This helps the vinegar become a natural preservative on its own after a subsequent acetic fermentation.
This means you do not need to store the glaze in the refrigerator to preserve it for long. On average, the shelf life of balsamic glaze that has already been opened is at least three to five years.
To store it properly, you can put it in a dark cupboard, away from direct sunlight. Also, avoid naturally warm places, like the cupboard by the side of the stove.
However, suppose you still wish to have that cold, thick glaze for your salad bowls or dressings. In that case, you can still choose to put it in the fridge as they enhance the taste of green leafy vegetables when chilled.
How Long Does Balsamic Glaze Last After Opening?
A store-bought balsamic glaze lasts about 12 to 18 months after opening it.
An unopened ait-tight container of balsamic glaze can last up to 3 years. Opened bottles will have a shorter lifespan than closed ones.
The acidity of vinegar makes it self-preserving, which is why many bottles of balsamic vinegar get better with age. This property is also transferred when the vinegar is reduced to form a thick balsamic sauce. Balsamic vinegar’s critical ingredient should be of good quality to make it last longer.
Usually, all balsamic glaze is suitable for consumption even after its expiry dates due to its self-preserving trait. Still, its quality will not be as good as it was before.
The shelf life of the balsamic glaze also depends on the quality of the reduced vinegar to make the bottle of glaze.
So, it is best not to open the balsamic glaze jar if you are not planning to use it in the next three months. That would just mean you are putting good time to waste.
How Do You Store Balsamic Glaze After Opening?
Store your balsamic glaze away from heat and light after you have opened it.
Balsamic glaze can be stored in a cabinet or shelf in the kitchen. Please keep it away from intense heat, natural sunlight, or even artificial light.
Balsamic vinegar, as well as glaze, reacts severely to light, natural, and artificial. The balsamic glaze that has gone bad will have a distinct and harsh taste.
It is advised that you do not store it in a clear mason jar or container.
Try to store it in dark and cool cupboards away from the stoves, as they also tend to emit heat that can react with the balsamic glaze.
Does Balsamic Glaze Spoil?
No, the balsamic glaze does not spoil as long as they are stored properly.
A store-bought jar of balsamic glaze will also last for about a year or two, even after it has passed the expiration date.
The self-preservation in the balsamic glaze is activated after acetic fermentation, which helps them last longer than other sauces.
However, the taste of the glaze might be a little different than earlier, so it is recommended that you do not open it or pack it safely in an air-tight container if you do not plan to use it for the next few months or so.
Can You Freeze Balsamic Glaze?
No, you should not freeze the balsamic glaze.
The balsamic glaze is made from a slow reduction of balsamic vinegar at low temperatures. This turns the liquid vinegar into a thick glaze, thus losing its property to be properly frozen.
When frozen, the acid level in vinegar can change, affecting its flavor.
Instead, it is recommended that you store the balsamic glaze in the refrigerator if you wish to add it to your salads.
How Can You Increase The Shelf Life Of Balsamic Glaze?
Following are some tips to increase the shelf life of balsamic glaze.
- Close an air-tight container or bottle tightly after every use. Try to avoid using a clear mason jar or container for storage.
- If the bottle is not dark and opaque, transfer it to a dark-colored bottle to prevent the light from damaging it.
- Keep it away from direct sunlight, cupboards near the stovetop, and other heat sources, as it can degrade the quality of the glaze over time.
- After every use, you do not need to store the balsamic glaze in the refrigerator. Due to the acetic fermentation of vinegar, the balsamic glaze is already a preservative.
Final Remarks
This article discussed whether the balsamic glaze needed to be refrigerated. We also discussed how one could store and increase its shelf life using some basic tips.
Let’s briefly go over this topic once again.
Does Balsamic glaze need to be refrigerated? No, you do not need to refrigerate the balsamic glaze as it is primarily made by reducing balsamic vinegar and is a preservative. You can store it in a dark and cool cupboard instead.

My name is Douglas Ryan and I am the founder of BargainFoodie. I have worked in the culinary space for many years, and exploring new food is my greatest pleasure in life.