shelf life of a vinaigrette

[apaschea]

hi,
i was just wondering how long i should keep a vinaigrette that has dill and parlsey in it.
Does it last a long time since it is in oil? i know that without those two ingredients i could keep it for months.

anybody have any idea?

[janniecooks]

once you add fresh herbs or garlic/onion/shallot to your vinaigrette, it doesn't really keep. If you want to keep a vinaigrette, add the fresh items to a small quantity each time you use the vinaigrette, or better yet, just make it fresh each time.

[inaplasticcup]

Food safety is not an issue here, but the flavor of the herbs does go south after even a short period. But I've eaten a refrigerated dressing with fresh herbs in it 3 or 4 days after it was originally made. Just doesn't taste as good is all - the herbs get a tinny/metallic flavor to them.

[cocktailhour]

I would keep it in the fridge and use it for weeks, or until it smells or looks off. But I don't make too much at one time. The oil does not in itself inhibit bacterial growth.