How long does hummus last?
In the fridge, hummus keeps for 3 months from the package date. Once opened, use it within 7 days. All 2 kinds are below.
No guideline
3 months
from the package date
7 days
in the fridge unless noted
By kind
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| commercial (pasteurized, with preservatives) | no guideline | 3 months | 7 days | Not recommended |
| traditional (no preservatives, not pasteurized) | no guideline | 7 days | no guideline | Not recommended |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
Does hummus go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, hummus may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell hummus has gone bad
General signs for deli & prepared foods, the group USDA lists hummus under.
- Sour, sulfur-like or generally off smell from ready-to-eat food
- Sliminess on deli meat or a slick film on salad
- Watery separation showing up in mayonnaise-based salads
- Dry, hardened edges on rotisserie chicken left uncovered
- Colour that has dulled or greyed since purchase
More on deli & prepared foods. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other deli & prepared foods last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.