If you’re wondering if hummus goes bad, the answer is yes. Hummus, like other perishable foods, may become stale if not used in time and stored properly.
Like perishable foods, hummus will still go bad even if they have preservatives. Therefore, it is necessary to store them properly to keep them for long periods.
Learn how to recognize the indications of spoilage and how to store it properly in this article.
What is hummus?
Hummus is a dip, spread, or savory food prepared from cooked and mashed chickpeas combined with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic popular in the Middle East.
Some hummus recipes have olive oil, whole chickpeas, parsley, and paprika sprinkled over the dip. The spread is usually served as an appetizer with pita bread or crackers.
This dip is widely appreciated because it is cost-effective, low in fat & cholesterol, and easy to make and preserve. It is also high in fiber and vitamins.
Does hummus go bad?
Yes, it goes bad. How fast the dip goes bad depends on how it is made. Homemade hummus will last 3-4 days after opening, while the store-bought varieties will last 6-7 days.
Will hummus go bad if left out?
Yes, it will, especially if it is homemade. Homemade meals do not have preservatives and cannot sit out at room temperature beyond a few hours. Similarly, do not keep hummus out longer than four hours.
Can hummus go bad in the refrigerator?
Unfortunately, it will. Although refrigerating your dip will extend its shelf life, it will go bad if it stays in the fridge for too long.
For the best quality, do not refrigerate your dip (opened or unopened) for more than 7 days.
Will hummus go bad if left unopened?
Unopened packs of hummus will go bad, but not as quickly as when they are opened. If kept in a cool and dry place like the pantry, an unopened pack of this dip can stay fresh for up to a month.
You can extend its shelf life to two months if you refrigerate it. Once you open the dip, keep it in the refrigerator or freezer immediately to prevent bacterial contamination and spoilage.
Does hummus go bad after the expiration date?
A well-made hummus will not go bad immediately after the expiration date. Under proper storage conditions, it should still be fresh for 3-5 days after the printed date.
But, before you eat it, carefully check for mold growth, an off smell, discoloration, or slime.
Will hummus go bad in heat?
Yes, it will. Hummus is a perishable food that quickly spoils in hot weather or if not properly kept or refrigerated.
Therefore, you should always keep it chilled at 40°F if you are not using it immediately.
What is the shelf life of hummus?
Hummus’ shelf life depends on factors such as the best-by date, preparation, and storage method.
However, the dip has a one-week shelf life once it has been opened. Below is a breakdown of its shelf life:
Unopened
- Unopened (packaged) and stored in the fridge – 3-10 days
- Unopened (packaged) and stored in the freezer – 6-8 months
- Unopened (homemade) and stored in the fridge – 3-5 days
- Unopened (homemade) and stored in the freezer – 6-8 months
Opened
- Opened (packaged) and stored in the fridge – for 4-6 days
- Opened (packaged) and stored in the freezer- for 4 months
- Opened (homemade) and stored in the fridge – for 3-5 days
- Opened (homemade) and stored in the freezer – for 4 months
Can you eat expired hummus?
It is not advisable to eat expired hummus, especially when it is many days past its expiration date. Also, you should not eat it if you notice any signs of spoilage.
Just like it is with any food, eating an expired dip will expose you to food poisoning and could make you ill.
How to tell if hummus is bad
1. A change in smell
A fresh dip smells natural except if it contains garlic or cilantro. But when it goes off, it develops a sour smell or pungent odor.
If you can smell this, do not eat it. Trash it.
2. Mold growth
Mold growth is one of the common signs of food spoilage. It appears as a fuzzy growth or gray patches on the dip. These are signs of bacterial activity and it renders the dip useless and unhealthy.
3. Taste sour
In some cases, you may not observe any of these signs on your dip but it is expired and you feel something is off. In such cases, you should taste a little but do not swallow it.
If it tastes sour and stings your tongue, it is a sign that it has gone off. Do not hesitate to throw it into the bin.
Preservation tips
Store in an airtight container
To prevent condensation and other contaminants, store your dip in a tightly sealed container. Make sure there’s enough room for the creamy paste to breathe and not become too thick from the filling.
Refrigerate or freeze it
Storing dips in the refrigerator at or below 40°F can help keep them longer. Ensure you keep it in an airtight container and at the back of the refrigerator where it is coldest. To extend the shelf life of your dip, freeze it.
Do not refreeze
For best quality, do not thaw and refreeze hummus. When it thaws, it becomes grainy and loses its texture. Refreezing it will further ruin its texture and make it unappetizing.
Keep it away from foods with strong odors
Do not freeze all your foods together. Keep containers of hummus far away from odorous food items like onions, garlic, and ginger. Otherwise, it will take up these smells and begin to spoil.
FAQs
How quickly does unrefrigerated hummus go bad?
Unrefrigerated hummus will go bad within four hours of leaving it out. The longer it sits out, the more bacteria action on it. This bacterial activity triggers spoilage and contaminates it.
Is it okay to eat hummus if left out overnight?
No, it is not. Just like with every other food, when your dip stays out overnight, it becomes contaminated with bacteria. Consequently, it could make you ill if you eat it.
Can you get salmonella from hummus?
Yes, you can. You can feel like a dip-bleep if you eat hummus infected with Salmonella bacteria.
Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea (sometimes bloody diarrhea), headache, nausea, vomiting, a loss of appetite, stomach cramps, and bloating.
Conclusion
Hummus is a perishable food. Therefore, it will go bad quickly if you do not store it properly. For the best quality and prolonged storage, refrigerate or freeze your dip. This applies to both homemade and store-bought varieties.
Also, remember that homemade hummus will not last as long as the store-bought variety. Most importantly, whenever you take out your dip, thoroughly check for any signs of spoilage before you eat it.
Learn further about the composition of hummus with this guide on what they are made of.
Thanks for reading.
