In the past few years, the popularity of hummus has exploded. Now, more people buy hummus since it is good for you. The only bad thing about hummus is that it does not last very long.
Does hummus go bad? Yes, hummus does go bad. If you buy a tub of hummus from the grocery store, it will last 6-10 days as long as it is sealed. Once it is opened, it will last 4-6 days. Fresh hummus will not last as long as grocery store hummus because there are no preservatives in it.
If you have a large amount of hummus, you’ll be happy to know that it can be frozen. Frozen hummus lasts 6-8 months in the freezer.
How Long Does Hummus Last?
Hummus purchased from the grocery store will last 6-10 days, depending on when it arrived at the grocery store and purchased. If you open the tub of hummus on the day of its purchase, it will last 4-6 days.
How Long Does Fresh Hummus Last?
Unfortunately, fresh homemade hummus does not last very long. Even if stored in an airtight container, fresh hummus still has a very short shelf life.
The main reason fresh hummus does not last as long as the hummus from the grocery store is that the grocery store has preservatives in it. The preservatives keep away mold and preserve the taste, texture, and color. Since fresh hummus is homemade, there are no preservatives inside the hummus.
A tub of freshly made hummus will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Yes, that is all the time you have with your homemade hummus. It may survive for a week, depending on how cold the refrigerator is and how you store it after cooking it. But it won’t last much longer than that.
How Long Does Hummus Last at Room Temperature?
Whenever you search for hummus in the grocery store, you will always find it in an area of cold air or in the refrigerator section. Unless you’re making a fresh batch that you intend to eat right then and there, hummus has to stay in the refrigerator. If you take out the tub of hummus, it should only be left on the counter or table for 4 hours. If it is out for a longer time, bacteria will grow within the hummus.
And if you leave the lid off and the hummus is exposed to warm air, it will spoil even faster as it could be exposed to more bacteria in the air.
However, 4 hours is just a time frame. In the winter, where the temperature regularly drops below 70°F, you may be able to leave it out for longer.
But in the summer, when the temperature jumps up to 90 or 100°F, it will go bad faster. Whatever you eat hummus in the summer, don’t leave the tub out on the counter. Just leave the container in the fridge and take what you need right from the tub.
How Long Does Hummus Last? Shelf Life [Chart]
Item | Shelf life |
Hummus, sealed | 6-10 days |
Hummus, opened | 4-6 days |
Hummus, freezer | 6-8 months |
How to Store Hummus
Since hummus has such a short shelf-life, there’s not really any need to make any special preparations for it. All you need to do is take the hummus and store it in an airtight container like a Tupperware container.
But you only have to do this if it is fresh hummus. Grocery store hummus will already be in a container. Every time you take out the hummus from the refrigerator, always place the lid back on and seal it tightly before placing the tub in the fridge.
Can You Store Hummus in the Freezer?
If you really enjoy hummus, then you may already have another tub of hummus ready to go in the refrigerator for when you are done with the current one. But what if you buy so many tubs of hummus that you cannot eat them all by their expiration date?
But there is a way to avoid this, and it is by freezing the excess hummus. Yes, hummus can be stored in the freezer.
To freeze hummus, it must be stored in an airtight container, and it cannot be filled to the top. When hummus freezes, it will expand, and if there is too much hummus in the container, the hummus will expand and cause the lid to pop off.
And the news about freezing hummus gets even better! You can also freeze your homemade hummus. So, you make a massive batch of hummus, and you can’t finish it within 3 to 5 days. The homemade hummus will last as long as the grocery store hummus, 6 to 8 months in the freezer.
What is the Best Way to Store Hummus?
The best method to store hummus in the freezer is to separate it into two to three servings and to freeze it in small containers. By storing hummus in small containers, you don’t have to thaw and refreeze a massive container of hummus every time you want a couple of servings.
Conclusion
- Hummus is one of the healthiest foods you can eat.
- This amazing condiment is now so popular that it is outselling cigarettes.
- Hummus from the grocery store will last 6 to 10 days as long as it is sealed.
- Once the hummus is open, it will only last 4 to 6 days.
- Hummus can be frozen as long as it is in an airtight container and is not filled to the top.
- While it is stored in the freezer, the hummus will last for 6-8 months.