How Long Does Guacamole Last? (Homemade And Store-Bought)
Guacamole is a party favorite that has become a staple in some diets. It makes use of fresh vegetables to create the perfect snacking dip. You can break it out for a quick snack or make it the centerpiece of any get-together. But how long does guacamole last?
Homemade guacamole lasts one to three days while store-bought guacamole lasts between five and seven days. To keep your guacamole as fresh as possible, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. If serving guacamole, it should not stay out of the fridge for more than two hours.
if you’re planning a party or just whipping up some homemade guac to enjoy with your favorite chips, you’ll want it to be as fresh as possible. So, read these tips on how to make sure your guacamole stays fresher longer.
Does Guacamole Go Bad?
You would be hard-pressed to find a food that doesn’t go bad over time, but yes, guacamole does indeed go bad. Like any other type of food that is made largely of perishable ingredients, guacamole typically only has a shelf life of a few days even if it is stored properly in the refrigerator.
Why it goes bad. There is a popular misconception that guacamole can last longer than other foods because of the lime juice within. Lime juice is actually a natural preservative. The acidity within is a great way to give longevity to items in the fridge.
Perishable ingredients. That said, it does not keep guacamole from going rancid or greatly deteriorating in quality sooner rather than later. The truth of the matter is that guacamole is made up mostly of perishable ingredients.
Avocado is typically made up using onions, tomatoes, avocado, and fresh cilantro. Those items can and will spoil before long, impacting the quality of the guacamole as well. So, if you thought that you were safe because of the lime juice, think again.
How Long Will Guacamole Last?
This is a bit of a tricky question as it depends on a few things. First and foremost is whether or not you bought it from the store or made it fresh. If it is the latter, your shelf life is definitely shorter and you have far less time in the fridge to work with.
Store-bought
When dealing with store-bought guacamole, you are looking at two scenarios. You either have it opened already or you haven’t. Both present different timetables for how long you can store them.
If you haven’t opened the guacamole, you can reasonably keep it in the fridge for anywhere from 7-10 days. When the package has been opened, however, that time frame shortens. Open store-bought guacamole will have a shelf life of somewhere between 3-5 days. The reason being is that most pre-made guacamoles have a few preservatives in them to give them a longer storage life.
Homemade
When it comes to homemade guacamole, it is a different case. There are likely no preservatives involved as you are typically using fresh ingredients to make your guacamole. For that reason, you are facing a shorter time frame. You may get 2 or 3 days out of it in the fridge. Anything more than that and you are better off throwing it away.
Can You Freeze Guacamole?
For most foods, you can generally get a much longer storage life out of them by freezing them. It is important to note that some foods can change in texture and consistency, so do your homework before throwing something in the freezer.
Guacamole In The Freezer
Yes, you can freeze guacamole. While it is not necessarily a regular occurrence, just be aware that there are potential issues at hand. Some dips and sauces with avocado in them can lose their flavor over time. Moreover, they can see their consistency change if left in the freezer too long.
Keep in mind that when you thaw the guacamole, it may have a slightly different taste and not be as chunky as when you froze it. You may be able to thicken it back up again post-thaw, but it likely will not taste the same as when it was fresh.
How Long Can It Stay There?
Determining how long you can keep guacamole in the freezer all comes down to whether or not it is homemade or store bought.
If you made your guacamole from scratch, you generally have between 2 and 4 months if properly stored. Skew towards the shorter time frame as it is always better to use frozen items sooner rather than later.
Store bought guacamole that has not been opened can last anywhere from 6 to 8 months in the freezer and still be good. So, if your grocery store has a deal on guacamole that is too good to pass up, you can stash it in the freezer.
How Do You Know If Guacamole Has Gone Bad?
Depending on how you look at it, it can be a good thing that guacamole is easily identifiable as spoiled. That leaves you less likely to shovel a rancid batch of guacamole into your mouth. Here are the most common signs to look for.
- Note the use-by date. Check the use-by date first and foremost. Guacamole can look or smell fine past the use-by date. If you notice that the use-by date is past the 7-10 day mark, don’t risk it.
- Moisture levels. Guacamole dips that are still good should be chunky. When you leave it out or in the fridge past its shelf life, the dip will become watery. If you leave it there for too long, you may even notice mold start to form on the surface.
- Color change. Guacamole should be a rich green in color. When it has too much exposure to air, it can start to turn a brownish color. That can happen even after a few hours of exposure. If you notice that there is grey in the coloring, toss it right away. That is a surefire sign that there is mold growing in your guacamole.
- Odor. Like a lot of other foods, you can typically tell if it is bad by smelling it. When fresh, the avocado within has a nutty smell to it. But when it has gone bad, the smell will be foul. If you notice mold, do not smell it. The spores can possibly trigger allergic reactions or even worse if you have respiratory problems.
- Taste. Take a small dab and test it. If there is a rancid or sour taste, toss it. It is likely bad or has just lost its freshness.
How To Properly Store Guacamole
There are a few helpful suggestions that can provide a little extra shelf life to your guacamole. Granted, even the perfect storage means that you are getting a few days out of it at best. It is always recommended that you use that dip again sooner rather than later to get the freshest possible experience.
- Remove air. The key to storing any food should be to remove air flow. Whether you are storing it in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag, try to get all the air out that you possibly can. Oxidation is food’s worst enemy and will help spoil it sooner rather than later. Getting vacuum sealers is a great way to store your food and get the most shelf life out of it.
- Lemon juice. Lemon or lime juice can go a long way to extending the life of your guacamole. Like removing oxidation, it won’t stop spoilage from happening. That said, it can give you longer to work with. Pour two tablespoons of your juice over top of the guacamole. Then, press down with some plastic wrap to keep the air bubbles from getting in. You still have a few days but it should at least keep the guac fresher when you finally do get to it.
- Use water. Strange as it sounds, there is a method to the madness. Water can act as a barrier to the air. Put the guac in an airtight container, flattening it out to remove air. Use about a half cup of lukewarm water on the surface. Do so gently and then cover. It helps to keep your guac fresher over the few days that it stays in the fridge.
What Happens If You Eat Bad Guacamole?
Even with the best of preparation and knowledge, accidents happen. Guacamole in your fridge may seem like it is still good even though it has actually spoiled over. So, what happens if you accidentally consume bad guacamole?
Upset Stomach
In most cases, one of two things will happen. Either nothing will happen or you will get an upset stomach. It all depends on how spoiled the guacamole is and how long it has been sitting. The upset stomach typically dissipates within a few hours at the most.
Food Poisoning
When guacamole gets rancid, however, that is another story. Rancid guacamole can contain potentially harmful amounts of bacteria lie Bacteroides, E. coli, and salmonella. This type of bacterial growth can lead to abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially even fever.
Food poisoning is not a fun endeavor but it also isn’t usually a particularly life-threatening one. If your symptoms last more than a day or two, see a physician for treatment.
Related Questions
Can you eat avocado if it’s turned brown?
If the avocado has recently turned brown or you stored it in the fridge overnight, you could eat it, but it likely won’t taste very good. If the avocado is only brown in one spot, it could just be bruised. You can cut out that part and enjoy the rest.
Can leaving the avocado pit in the guacamole help it last longer?
It could help keep parts of your guacamole fresh, mainly the parts that it touches. This is primarily because it protects those areas of the guacamole from exposure to the air.
Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan.
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