Does Hummus Need to be Refrigerated

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Does hummus need to be refrigerated? Yes, it should be kept in a 40F degree refrigerator or cooler since it’s a perishable food item. That’s why hummus can be found in the refrigerator section of your grocery store.

hummus with pita
hummus with pita

How Long Does Hummus Last in the Fridge?

The length of shelf life that can be maximized by hummus that’s stored in the fridge varies depending on various factors. It can last from just a few days, or up to several days. 

We recommend checking the container for the best if used by date as a starting point. Chances are hummus that’s unopened and stored properly will last until that projected date.

It’s important to know that different brands have different shelf lives and how the hummus is prepared and processed is a factor for the length of shelf life.

Short Answer to “Do You Have to Refrigerate Hummus?” 

The short answer to does hummus need to be refrigerated is yes it does. Homemade hummus, fresh hummus, and hummus purchased from the refrigerator section at the grocery store all need to be refrigerated.

The only exception to this rule is canned hummus that’s stored at room temperature at the grocery store. This hummus doesn’t need to be refrigerated until after it’s been opened.

How Long Does Hummus Last Once Opened?

It’s difficult to give a hard and fast answer as to how long hummus lasts once it’s opened. There are several variables that can come into play that determine the length of shelf life.

Those factors include the ingredients used to make the hummus, how it’s processed, and how it’s stored before and after it’s opened.

A general rule of thumb for fresh hummus that can be purchased from the refrigerator section at the grocery store is to use the best if used by date. That will vary depending on the brand. Some brands last a few days and some last several weeks before being opened.

After hummus is opened, we recommend using it within 4 days for food safety reasons.

What About Freezing Hummus?

Yes, hummus can be frozen. In fact, it freezes well. So, if you’re planning to make homemade hummus, go ahead and make a big batch so that you can freeze a portion and enjoy it another time too.

hummus with pita and lemon
hummus with pita and lemon

Can You Eat Hummus If Left Out Overnight?

We don’t recommend eating fresh hummus that’s been left out overnight because it can cause food poisoning.

Fresh hummus, or hummus purchased in the refrigerator section of the grocery store needs to be kept at a temperature of 40F degrees or less.

If hummus is left out, it should be kept at a room temperature of less than 90F degrees for no more than 2 hours. If the room temperature is higher than 90F degrees, the hummus should be left out no more than 1 hour.

If you have any doubt as to whether your hummus is still good to eat, throw it out.

How Do You Know When Hummus Is Bad?

Does hummus go bad? There are key indicators to look for to know if your hummus has gone bad. Here are some things to look for.

Smell. If your hummus has a strange smell such as a sour odor or if it smells off at all, throw it away and don’t eat it.

Mold. If your hummus has accumulated mold, that is a sign that it has gone bad. Throw it away and don’t risk eating it.

Strange consistency. If your hummus has a strange consistency, such as if it has become chunky or if it becomes watery, throw it away. 

Discolored. If your hummus becomes discolored, chances are it has gone bad. 

What Happens If You Eat Bad Hummus?

We don’t recommend eating hummus that shows any key indicators of having gone bad.  Eating bad hummus has the potential of causing food poisoning which can lead to serious physical symptoms and possible death.

If you suspect that your hummus has gone bad, then throw it away. Don’t risk eating it.

Things That Help Hummus Last Longer

Regarding storing fresh hummus, chances are you’ll want it to last as long as possible. What are some things that help hummus last longer?  Here are some suggestions:

Keep refrigerated. When storing homemade hummus, canned hummus that’s been opened, or hummus that’s been purchased from the refrigerator section of the grocery store, it needs to be refrigerated.  To maximize the shelf life of your hummus, store it in the refrigerator.

Place in ice when serving. If you’re serving hummus and you know that it’ll be left out on the counter for more than a few minutes, consider placing the container of hummus on a bowl of ice.

Drizzle with olive oil before returning to refrigerator. If you’ve eaten from your hummus, consider drizzling the top with olive oil before returning it to the refrigerator. This will help to keep it from oxidizing and will maintain freshness.

Use an airtight container. To keep hummus moist and fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

What to Do If You Have Too Many Opened Containers of Hummus

When you have too many containers of hummus open, consider combining them into one or putting a portion of it into the freezer. Freezing hummus into ice cube trays is a great way to save it for later.

Types of Hummus That Would Not Be Safe to Ever Leave Unrefrigerated

There are several kinds of hummus that wouldn’t be safe to leave unrefrigerated. Those are generally as follows:

Fresh hummus
Homemade hummus
Refrigerated hummus

If your hummus has been left out for more than 2 hours, you’ll want to throw it away. Don’t risk eating it as it’s considered spoiled.

hummus with pita and spread
hummus with pita and spread

Ways to Eat Hummus

There are so many fun ways to eat hummus as a snack or as a part of a meal. Here are some of our favorite ways to eat hummus.

on pita bread
with snack crackers
dipped with chips
with carrots and celery
warmed and spread on vegetables
on a salad
…and much more

Why Does Hummus Need to Be Kept Refrigerated?

Hummus needs to be kept refrigerated because it’s a perishable food item. Homemade hummus or hummus that’s purchased in the refrigerator section of the grocery store needs to be refrigerated as soon as you get home. Otherwise, it will spoil and go bad.

The only exception would be unopened hummus in a can. Unopened hummus in a can is fine to store at room temperature in a pantry.

Do All Types of Hummus Need Refrigeration?

The only kind of hummus that doesn’t need to be refrigerated is hummus that’s canned, and is hasn’t been opened yet. It can be found stored at room temperature in the grocery store.

How Long Can Hummus Sit Out?

Hummus that’s been opened or hummus that’s been purchased in the refrigerator section of the grocery store cannot sit out for more than 2 hours. Otherwise, you should consider it to be spoiled and throw it away.

How Long Does Hummus Last After the Expiration Date?

We don’t recommend eating hummus after the expiration date as passed due to potential food poisoning. After hummus has expired, we consider it to have gone bad.

How to Store Hummus

The best way to store hummus is in the refrigerator that has a consistent temperature of 40F degrees or less. This will help to maximize shelf life and maintain freshness.

Does Hummus Expire If Unopened?

Yes, hummus is a perishable food. If left unopened it still expires and will eventually go bad. Please check the best if used by date and look for any of the key indicators that we’ve listed that could determine if your hummus has gone bad.

hummus in a dish
hummus in a dish

How Long Does Homemade Hummus Last?

Homemade hummus can last up to 4 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator that has a temperature of 40F degrees or less.

Hummus can be frozen for up to 2 months if sealed in a zipped freezer bag or stored in a freezer safe airtight container.

Store Bought vs Fresh Hummus Homemade

With the brands of store-bought hummus on the market today, you can find some quality hummus that gives fresh homemade hummus some stiff competition.

Instead of taking the time to figure out how to can chickpeas for hummus, it can save time to go to the store and simply buy them ready to use. It makes delicious homemade hummus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Following are frequently asked questions that relate to does hummus need to be refrigerated. If you have a question that’s not answered here, feel free to drop it to us in the comments box below and we’ll be happy to answer it.

How to safely serve hummus at a party?

The best way to serve hummus at a party when it’s at risk of sitting out for any length of time is to place the container of hummus on a bowl of ice to help it stay cool.

How to choose the best hummus?

We’re partial to fresh hummus and choosing the best can be a matter of personal preference as far as flavor is concerned. But you’ll want to check the expiration date as a minimum to make sure that it will last for the necessary amount of time.

What is the shelf life of hummus in a can?

The length of shelf life of hummus in a can will vary depending on the brand. Be sure to check the best if used by date as a starting point. However, most canned food items should last for up to 2 years.

Can you freeze hummus?

Yes, you can freeze hummus. It works well to freeze it in small portions in an ice cube tray if desired.

Does hummus have protein?

Yes, traditional chickpea hummus has protein. Other kinds of hummus such as dessert hummus may or may not have protein. You’ll want to check packaging or specific ingredients to know whether your hummus contains protein.

Is hummus vegan? 

Yes, traditional chickpea hummus itself is vegan. If there are added ingredients for flavoring, be sure to check the packaging to know whether the product is vegan friendly. Dessert hummus tends not to be vegan.

Does hummus have dairy?

Traditional chickpea hummus does not traditionally contain dairy.

Is hummus keto?

No, hummus is not considered a keto friendly food.

Other Ideas:

Is Pudding Gluten Free
Best Substitutes for Peanut Oil

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does hummus need to be refrigerated Pinterest Pin

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Sarah
Sarah is known for her extra fancy yeast breads, melt in your mouth pies, and everything salads. She has won awards as a home cook, and is passionate about helping others feel smarter in the kitchen. Sarah is the cooking genius of the sister duo.

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