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How Long Can Unopened Hummus Stay Out Of The Fridge
If the hummus was purchased unrefrigerated, it can be left out of the fridge for 1-3 months. Hummus can be left out of the refrigerator for around 4 hours if it was purchased from the chilled area. Hummus that is shelf-stable and unopened will ultimately go bad. Despite being pasteurised and having preservatives, hummus ultimately goes bad.
If unopened hummus is purchased in the refrigerated section, then it will keep about 4 hours outside the refrigerator. If it is hummus that you bought in the refrigerated section, or even homemade hummus, you will need to place it in the refrigerator. Most of the time, however, the hummus that you are most likely to find requires refrigeration before even opening, and particularly if you find it in the refrigerated section of a store. It is nice to know you can purchase certain brands of hummus that do not need refrigeration before opening.
Once the hummus can is opened, you will have to store leftovers in an airtight container and store it refrigerated. After you have opened the can, you need to store your hummus in a fridge, where it can stay up to one week. You can safely leave hummus at room temperature for around 2 hours, then it needs to be refrigerated. Maybe you are having a party, and leave the hummus out for a couple of hours, and then return it to the refrigerator.
| Types | Shelf Life |
| With Tahini | 4 hours |
| Without Tahini | 7 days |
This timing may change if you leave the hummus out for longer periods, particularly once you open it, so you are best off keeping it colder when you can, and trying to avoid any cross-contamination. In general, it is safe to say that hummus should be left unrefrigerated only for about two hours, as eating it beyond this period could be hazardous. If you are planning on serving hummus at a party or a gathering, the best way to keep it fresh is to store it in the fridge until right before you are planning on eating it.
While you can store hummus refrigerated for up to a couple months without opening, you have only got seven days after opening it to use it up. For a re-packed refrigerated hummus, it will keep up to one week once you have opened it and stored it in the fridge. Once the hummus is opened, you are best placed it in a sealed container or in its original, refrigerated package. To keep hummus flavours and textures, keep in an airtight container in the fridge.
You can help keep your hummus fresher for longer by keeping it below 40F in the fridge after each use. Hummus stays fresh for a longer time when stored in a refrigerator, and when stored in a freezer; it stays fresher longer. If you properly store your fresh hummus, you will find that it lasts long enough that you can eat plenty before it starts losing it is freshness.
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If you keep refrigerated Store bought Hummus in your refrigerator and you forget to eat it by then, then chances are that your Hummus has not gone bad. Otherwise, store-bought or commercially prepared hummus, when stored correctly in an airtight container, may keep for 10 days beyond its manufacture date, or the best by date, when used. Store-bought hummus, when stored correctly–that is, with a tight-fitting lid on the container to prevent water intrusion and bacteria, and refrigerated–can last three to 10 days beyond its best-by date, whereas the homemade version needs to be eaten within three to five days after making.
Store-bought hummus that is stored in cans or any shelf-stable package and not opened can survive for months in your pantry. A totally unopened jar of hummus may last for a couple days beyond the expiration date. Canned hummus does not have to be refrigerated, and it can be used up to one month after the expiration date as long as the seal is still on. When stored in a sealed container in a refrigerator at or below 40 degrees F., hummus sold refrigerated will last about 4-6 days once opened.
That means that the container of hummus needs to stay at a suitable temperature and stored in a fridge, or kept warm if serving over an extended period, in order to keep germs from growing. Homemade hummus also needs to be stored in the fridge in a sealed container to keep germs and molds from establishing themselves through exposure to air. If you open multiple cans of hummus and do not consume all in one sitting, you may want to keep them refrigerated.
You can defrost frozen hummus quickly by placing in the refrigerator overnight, and the thawed hummus can stay frozen in the fridge for 3-4 days before heating and eating.
If your hummus is not homemade, there is a chance that it has been added preservatives to extend its shelf life past the recommended 5-day eating time. Hummus does not typically have an expiration date, but a best-by date, meaning that it will remain safe to consume past its printed date. If you find hummus at a store not in a refrigerated section, at least one that has not simply been accidentally missed by some lazy customer, that is a good indication it does not need refrigeration, though still has an expiration date.
If you want to keep commercial hummus or tahini in your refrigerator, then you can pack it into a sealed container and place it in the cooler section of your refrigerator. Since microorganisms rapidly grow in temperatures of 40degF-140degF, you are best served to refrigerate your hummus within 2 hours after cooking it, in an airtight container, so that its shelf life is extended, but also so that it maintains quality. Different brands have varying shelf lives, so it is best to check your containers shelf life…but a good benchmark is that with any reputable brand, you should be able to refrigerate the hummus safely for up to two months, as long as you do not breach the seal on the container.
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In general, though, it is safe to say that homemade hummus will keep for around four days in the fridge, whereas store-bought hummus lasts for up to a week. Some exceptions are the hummus sold in the non-refrigerated section of your grocery store, and canned hummus, since these types will also remain fresh, say, in your pantry. All types of hummus, commercial and homemade, and all flavors of hummus need to be refrigerated once opened, and only one hummus brand (that I could find) makes and markets an unrefrigerated version, packing the two basic ingredients, chickpeas and tahini, in separate containers which are mixed together once opened. While your hummus may keep quite a while if you follow my instructions, it may spoil sometimes before you know it.
Does sealed hummus need to be refrigerated?
Yes, it is the answer. Your homemade or store-bought hummus can rot and perhaps make you ill if you don’t store it in the refrigerator. Hummus has a variable shelf life based on a few variables, so it’s better to be cautious and keep hummus refrigerated in your fridge at all times.
Does hummus go bad if left out unopened?
Unfortunately, hummus that has been left out unopened can go bad. The combination of warm temperature and lack of air can cause bacteria to grow, which can lead to food poisoning. If you’re not sure whether your hummus is still good, it’s best to err on the side of caution and throw it out.
Can unopened hummus left out overnight?
The answer is that unopened hummus can be left out overnight, but it’s not recommended. The reason is that unopened hummus can start to grow bacteria, which can lead to food poisoning. So while you can technically eat unopened hummus that’s been left out overnight, it’s not the safest choice.