Dips have made our dinners and lunches more delicious. And hummus is no exception. Due to its delicious taste and manifold health benefits, you’ll always find large quantities of hummus in your kitchen pantry. While you might not run out of it, it might run out of its quality over time since hummus can go bad.
But hey, that doesn’t mean you should skip it. With the right storage techniques and preservation methods, you can increase the shelf life of your favorite dip.
So let’s begin by knowing if hummus can really go bad and how you will know it.
How do you know if Hummus is bad?
Yes, hummus, despite its preservatives, can go bad. And you will know exactly if it has gone bad through your senses.
Few signs will tell you if your hummus has gone bad.
If you notice the change in color of the hummus, you should probably know that it has gone bad. As for hummus, as it ages, it starts getting darker due to oxidation.
This is a clear sign that your hummus isn’t safe to eat, and you will have to get rid of it.
Also, if hummus goes bad, you will notice the growth of mold, and thus it is unsafe to consume.
Even a foul smell coming from your jar of hummus is a clear indication that your hummus has gone bad. When hummus starts to spoil, it often smells sour or unpleasant.
The fermented smell could indicate bacterial growth inside hummus, and you probably should avoid consuming it.
If you notice a change in the texture of hummus, there are chances the hummus might have gone bad. This is when you see the oil is separated from the rest of the dip ingredients.
However, if you notice this, we recommend giving it a try if you do not really want to get rid of it. If the hummus smells and tastes okay, it could be safe to eat but avoid feeding it to your kids.
So your senses will tell you clearly if the hummus has gone bad or is safe to consume.
What happens if you eat bad Hummus?Â
Generally, nothing major will happen if you eat bad hummus. You might get a case of food poisoning, but that’s very rare.
As far as the taste and the smell of the hummus are bearable, you can consume it.
Or else discard it as a preventive measure. The choice is yours!
How Long does Hummus last?
Hummus can go bad real quick, so you need to be extra careful if you get a big pack.
Hummus is available in a variety in the market, and that factor matters as well when we talk about its longevity.
In general, all of the hummus varieties in the market come with a best-by date. This gives you an idea of long your jar of hummus is edible and when it’s time to get rid of it.
However, hummus can stay fresh even after a month past the best-by date, and it could be even more when stored properly. Once you open the jar, it won’t likely last longer.
How long does hummus last after opening?Â
If you have an opened package of hummus, it is better to finish it within 5 to 10 days of opening.
How long does homemade hummus last?
Hummus that lacks preventives or is homemade will last around 4 to 5 days and not more. If your jar of hummus has added preservatives, it will last up to 10 days.
How long does Hummus last in the refrigerator?
Almost for most brands, the shelf life of hummus, when refrigerated properly, is likely around a month or so due to the higher amount of preservatives added to it. This is the reason the hummus jar that you got home stayed a while in the store.
But once you open it, the shelf life can decrease. But storing your hummus accurately will likely make it last longer. And so here we have for you a few hummus storage tips that will likely increase the shelf-life of hummus.
How to Store Hummus?
When it comes to preservings edibles with added preservatives, a lot of confusion arises. Though people think it’s not necessary to be that careful, while some just believe it’s necessary to regularly check on it, doing it right is always important.
So before we even start with how to store your hummus correctly, it’s vital that you check if your jar of hummus is free of preservatives or has some.
Also, store your jar of hummus only if it’s not over the best-by date.
Basically, if you have an opened jar of hummus, it’s important that you refrigerate it rather than storing it on your kitchen shelf.
And before you do that, seal it tightly or transfer it into an airtight container.
The right temperature to store hummus is 40°F after every use.
To have better longevity, it’s important to prevent exposure to air. Also, when you store it in a refrigerator, make sure to keep it away from the door. This is to ensure a constant temperature.
Further, when you use it, always use a clean spoon. Try to avoid all kinds of contamination as it can accelerate the spoiling of hummus.
Don’t dip your food directly into the jar you have stored the entire hummus in. Exposure to other edibles and air can reduce its shelf-life, and that’s exactly what we want to avoid.
You can also cover the hummus jar with plastic wrap; this will protect hummus from exposure to oxygen. This will increase its shelf-life by a day or two.
However, if you have an unopened jar of hummus, it’s just better to freeze it without any worries. Most people doubt if the hummus is safe to freeze or can spoil it. Well, here’s what you should know.
Can You Freeze Hummus?
Hummus is a favorite frozen edible that you can use all around the year. But the trick is to do it right.
A properly frozen hummus can last as long as six months, and so when you know you are not going to use it for that long, freezing your hummus is the easiest way to preserve it.
There are hardly any noticeable changes in its smell or texture, making it safer to consume. You just need an airtight container to ensure its safety.
Although separation in hummus means spoilage and rancidity, separation in frozen hummus is normal and safe.
You just need to thaw it and stir it to recombine it all. Frozen hummus can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator. Hummus should be consumed within three days after thawing.
To add protein to your lunch, you can add hummus in cube-like shapes by keeping it in portions in an ice tray, and that’s it; you’re ready to go.
Keep one or two cubes in a sealed container in your lunch box. Easy to make and healthy to eat. These hummus cubes will make a perfect salad topper or a dip for those carrot sticks.
Spread hummus on a lettuce leaf with veggies and sauces; you can also add tossed paneer or tofu pieces. This wrap can be your light and healthy dinner that you and your kids will love.
So that’s precisely how you use frozen hummus. It can go on for a month or so and not just a week.
But if you are not a big fan of consuming refrigerated hummus or frozen ones, you can keep them on your kitchen shelf. But make sure it is away from direct sunlight, and you consume it within a day or two.
Also, know that homemade hummus can be used for a few days when refrigerated well and stored in an airtight container.
What are the Alternatives to Hummus if it has gone bad?Â
Try the following alternatives in case your hummus has lost its taste or overall quality:
- Tahini Yogurt
- Greek Yogurt
- Almond Hummus
- Mayonnaise
- Tahini Sauce
FAQs About Hummus
Is hummus good for your health?
Hummus is quite a popular dip and is packed with vitamins and minerals. Since it is made from chickpeas and other varieties of healthy ingredients, it is one of the most nutritious dips.
It has innumerable benefits like blood sugar control, good heart health, helping fight inflammation, better digestion, and even weight loss.
These benefits make hummus a part of every middle eastern diet. You could, too, benefit from it now.
How long does Hummus last if unopened?Â
If the hummus was sold refrigerated, it would last for a week above the use-by time period. On the other hand, if you buy unrefrigerated hummus, you can use it for 3 additional months over and above the best-by period.
How long does Hummus last if not refrigerated?Â
Hummus should not be kept out for more than 4 hours unrefrigerated. Such a method will expose it to all kinds of bacteria and microbes that can easily spoil it.
Why does my hummus taste sour?
Hummus tastes sour when there’s too much garlic, lemon juice, or paprika. If your hummus does not contain any of those ingredients, the sourness of hummus depicts its expiration.
Why is my hummus watery?
It is best to toss out watery hummus as it depicts that it has gone bad. Such hummus can make you sick, so it is advisable to stay away from it.
Why does my hummus taste fizzy?
The fizzy taste of hummus stems from extreme fermentation. It could also be due to the extreme addition of baking soda.
Can you get listeria from hummus?
Listeria is a deadly bacteria that is often found in processed foods, ice cream, and hummus. Since this bacteria can cause grave harm to pregnant women, it is best to throw away the foods.
What happens if you eat moldy hummus?
Consuming moldy hummus can cause nausea and vomiting. This is why it is best to discard such hummus and eat a fresh one.
Can you eat Hummus after the expiration date?
Store-bought hummus comes with a best-by date. But we can consume it after the set date as long as it smells okay and does not show any signs of mold.
Final Notes
Next time when you go shopping, you can get a little more amount of hummus than you earlier did as now you know how to store it right.
If you already own hummus that you almost forgot about, give it a check. Change in texture, color, or even taste is the only way to predict if it’s gone bad or safer to consume.
If you find it in good condition, make sure to refrigerate it or even freeze it in case you want to make it last a bit longer.
Enjoying the health benefits of this healthiest nutritious dip likely got easier. Let us know how these tips helped—happy snacking.
