Store-Bought Hummus Vs. Homemade: How Long Each Lasts In The Fridge

With a history dating back nearly 10,000 years, and multiple countries, including Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey, all claiming to have originated it, hummus is a popular staple of the Middle East and certain Mediterranean regions, notes MasterClass. A versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a dip, spread, in a meze platter, as the main dish, or even added to mashed potatoes, hummus has become increasingly popular around the world in recent years, can now be found in many supermarkets and grocery stores.

Hummus is also quite easy to make at home. The basic hummus recipe consists of just a few ingredients, namely chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil, which, with the exception of the olive oil, should be blended together in food processor — save the olive oil for drizzling over the hummus right before serving. You can adjust the consistency and texture of your homemade hummus to make it smoother and fluffier, or thicker and more substantial. You can also add a variety of additional ingredients to customize the taste of your homemade hummus. Options include roasted red peppers, beets, carrots, olives, and even pumpkin spice, just to name a few examples. Both homemade and store-bought hummus can be stored in the fridge, though there is a difference in how long each is good for.

According to Foodsafety.gov's Foodkeeper app, store-bought commercial hummus that has been pasteurized, and with preservatives, is good for up to three months in the fridge and seven days once it's been opened. Homemade hummus, on the other hand, will only last about three to four days in the fridge, per Hope Foods. To maximize the shelf life of the hummus in your fridge, make sure to store it in an airtight container, and to set your fridge temperature to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. If the hummus smells or tastes sour, or you see any signs of mold, then your hummus has gone bad and should be thrown out.

You can always freeze your hummus to extend its life even longer, for up to four months, notes Eating Well. However, frozen hummus can lose its flavor and texture, which you can fix before serving by giving it a good stir and adding in some extra minced garlic, onions, dried spices, fresh aquafaba (leftover liquid from cooked chickpeas or the liquid in canned chickpeas), or fresh lemon juice.