Hummus has been my go-to snack lately, and I was wondering if it needed to be refrigerated. I also wondered if hummus would be a good picnic food and if it would be okay to eat if left out of the fridge for a while. I, therefore, conducted a lot of research, and these are the results.
So, does hummus need to be refrigerated?
No matter if it is homemade or purchased in the store’s cold section, hummus needs to be kept cold and shouldn’t be kept out of the fridge for more than two hours. Hummus in a can, however, doesn’t need to be chilled before opening. Once opened, hummus has a shelf life of about a week.
For more specific information, keep reading.
Table of Contents
Why Is Hummus Required To Be Keeped Freezing?
Tahini (sesame paste), olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice are the main ingredients in hummus. These ingredients are plant-based, so if they’re left out at room temperature for too long, they may go bad. Because tahini and chickpeas are starchy, protein-rich foods that bacteria love to eat, hummus can spoil fairly quickly. We’re only talking a few hours here.
You don’t need to worry about hummus that you purchase in the refrigerator section of the grocery store because it has already been chilled; however, if you make your own hummus at home, you must put it in the refrigerator as soon as possible.
How Long Does Hummus Remain Fresh After Opening?
The ingredients, how they were prepared, and how it is stored both before and after the container is opened all affect how long hummus lasts.
Because hummus is a vegetable-based product, it will spoil very quickly if left unrefrigerated and will stay good longer if kept at a temperature between 33 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, some of the ingredients, particularly garlic and spinach, spoil quickly and reduce the shelf life of chickpeas, the main component of hummus. But some components, like salt and lemon juice, do help to prolong the shelf life of hummus.
Here are recommendations for how long hummus lasts before and after opening with refrigeration:
- The most common type found in the deli case at your local supermarket: Before opening with refrigeration, it lasts two months; after opening with refrigeration, it lasts one week. Always make sure to double-check the container’s expiration date.
- Commercial Hummus that is purchased unrefrigerated: will last in your pantry 1 month past its expiration date. The hummus needs to be refrigerated after being opened and can last for up to a week. It should be noted that the unrefrigerated version needs to be kept in ideal conditions, which include a cool, dry, and dark place like a cabinet or pantry that isn’t exposed to too much heat or direct sunlight.
- Commercial Canned Hummus that is purchased unrefrigerated: will last in your pantry 1 month past its expiration date. The hummus must be refrigerated and can last for up to a week after being opened. Please be aware that the canned version needs to be kept in ideal storage conditions, which include a cool, dry, and dark place like a cabinet or pantry that isn’t exposed to too much heat or direct sunlight.
- Homemade hummus: must be refrigerated and will only remain good for approximately 4-5 days as a homemade version usually does not contain the preservatives that commercially produced products do.
If Left Out Overnight, Is Hummus Still Edible?
It’s difficult to say for sure whether hummus would be safe to eat after being out for more than two hours. There is still a chance that preservative-added canned hummus will be safe to consume. However, I wouldn’t advise taking a chance. Foodborne illness is just not worth the risk.
How To Tell If Hummus Is Bad?
It’s easy to tell when hummus has gone bad and cannot be saved. When hummus is bad, it will smell rancid and appear moldy.
If you’re unsure whether your hummus is bad, just open the container and give it a sniff; if you don’t like what you smell, throw the dip away!
Taste a tiny bit of the hummus if you’re up for it; it will taste sour and off. It’s best to discard something if you’re unsure.
How To Store Hummus?
Let’s talk about how to store hummus now that you are aware of how long it keeps in the refrigerator and how to keep it fresh for a lot longer than if left out at room temperature. Your hummus can be kept in the refrigerator in either a closed container or an airtight plastic bag.
Put your hummus in a cooler with ice packs to keep it cold if you’re taking it with you and won’t be able to consume it within the advised two-hour window.
You need not worry about keeping it cold if you plan to consume it within two hours of leaving home.
Tips For Maximizing Your Hummus’ Life Span
The only way to store hummus so that you can keep it for several weeks or months at a time is to do so correctly. To extend the life of yours, make sure to heed all of these recommendations.
Choose The Right Container
Your hummus’s shelf life is significantly shortened once it’s been opened. The packaging it comes in isn’t very reliable after the vacuum sealing is removed, which is one of the causes of this. So it’s best to repackage it.
The lid can be kept on tightly and removed with ease, making Tupperware a good option. Just make sure to refasten it firmly after you’re finished.
Don’t Cross-contaminate
Cross-contamination is one of the biggest threats to food storage. There is a chance that forks and spoons that have come into contact with your mouth, hands, or other foods will contaminate your hummus. Use a clean spoon every time you serve your dip as this is the best way to prevent it.
Alternatively, you can achieve this by spooning a portion into a different dish as opposed to serving it directly from the container.
Keep It Cold
Exposure to warmer temperatures can reduce the shelf life of your hummus even after you refrigerate it. Keeping the remainder chilled while you eat is another benefit of serving it in a separate container.
Add A Dab Of Oil
The most healthy and scrumptious way to keep hummus fresh is to add a little extra olive oil. Since olive oil is already one of the primary components of hummus, a small increase in the amount won’t significantly alter the flavor.
Like all fats, olive oil has a long shelf life, especially when kept cold. You can naturally separate your dip from the outside world by pouring some on top of your hummus.
What To Do If You Have Too Many Opened Containers Of Hummus?
If you had that holiday party and more than one container of hummus was opened, consider saving as much as you can by:
- except for one container, freezing.
- bringing out the crackers for snacks and devouring all the hummus that is still left.
- making inexpensive, scrumptious, and piping hot dishes using Middle Eastern recipes.
Can The Hummus Be Frozen?
Hummus can be frozen if you want to keep it around for a while. After being frozen and thawed, hummus has a slight texture change. But once it’s defrosted, you can typically stir it back to its regular consistency.
Please be aware that different hummus brands freeze in different ways, so it’s a good idea to test whether your favorite brand freezes well before freezing a larger batch.
Hummus freezes well in ice cube trays as well as in small containers, which is a great option when it comes to freezing techniques.
Types Of Hummus That Would Not Be Safe To Ever Leave Unrefrigerated
All hummus varieties, both store-bought and homemade, as well as all flavors, must be refrigerated after opening. Only one hummus manufacturer (that I could find) produces and sells an unrefrigerated variety in which the two main components, chickpeas and tahini, are packaged in separate containers and stirred together upon opening.
Ways To Eat Hummus
There are unlimited ways to eat hummus and here are a few of those ways:
- Spread on pita and other breads, crackers, and chips;
- As a dip with carrot sticks and other vegetables;
- Served hot spread on a plate and topped with vegetables and/or meat such as oxtail;
- Place a cube or two in a plastic bag or container after freezing in ice trays; the cube(s) should thaw by lunchtime and be eaten with chips or vegetable sticks.
Interesting Facts About Hummus And Where It Originated
- It is very difficult to pinpoint exactly where hummus originated, but it most likely came from somewhere in the Middle East because several nations in that region claim to be the ones who invented the modern version of the dish. From Cairo, Egypt, in the 13th century, comes the earliest recorded recipe. But today, hummus is produced all over the world.
- Tahini, olive oil, garlic, and chickpeas make up the universally recognized basic hummus recipe. The spices that are added to the various recipes’ base ingredients are the only thing that differs between them.
- Every Middle Eastern nation has its own variation of hummus, but many prefer to eat it as a hot dish as opposed to a snack.
- Since many centuries, chickpeas have been raised in the Middle East and occasionally ground and used as a substitute for coffee.
- Vitamin B, protein, and dietary fiber are all found in abundance in hummus. Additionally, it is high in complex carbohydrates and low in saturated fat, making it a fantastic addition to a weight-loss program because it is very filling, prevents overeating, and enhances digestion.
- Iron-rich foods like hummus can lower your risk of anemia.
- The aphrodisiac properties of hummus have been suggested.
- Hummus has anti-inflammatory qualities because it is made with olive oil.
- Hummus contains calcium and other minerals that increase bone density.
- Hummus is a rich source of amino acids, which help build muscle.
- A healthy complexion and hair are aided by the minerals and amino acids in hummus.
FAQs
Does Hummus Go Bad If It Isn’t Refrigerated?
Yes, hummus will spoil if it isn’t kept cold. Hummus should always be kept cold because the bacteria that can cause food poisoning loves to grow there.
If Left Out Overnight, Is Hummus Still Edible?
This means that if you unintentionally left homemade or store-bought hummus out overnight, you should discard it. You will undoubtedly mourn the loss of this protein-rich dip, but it’s still preferable to spending the entire day hugging the toilet, don’t you think?
Do All Hummus Varieties Require Refrigeration?
There are a few brands of hummus that are shelf-stable, but they are not as popular as refrigerated hummus. To keep the hummus at its freshest and to prevent bacterial growth, they will still advise you to put it in the refrigerator after opening.
Is Hummus Acidic?
Hummus has an acidic pH that hovers around 5.5. The pH of the hummus you buy or make yourself might change depending on the additional ingredients you use. It is safe to assume that hummus has an acidic pH since chickpeas do when consumed.
Final Words
So, does hummus require refrigeration? Yes, if you don’t put homemade or store-bought hummus in the refrigerator, it will spoil and might make you sick. Hummus has a variable shelf life depending on a number of variables, so it’s best to play it safe and keep hummus chilled in your fridge at all times.
You now have all the information you require regarding the hummus shelf life. Now feel free to enjoy this delectable dip without worry.
Thank you for reading.
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