Does Guacamole Go Bad? How Long Does It Last?

by Editorial Staff | Updated on August 3rd, 2022

Guacamole is a popular dip for a good reason: it’s somewhat nutty, creamy, adaptable, and filling.

The fact is that no avocado lover wants to waste their guacamole for whatever reason. But, if you’re in a pinch and want to know if guacamole goes bad and how long your bowl may survive.

Does Guacamole Go Bad

Guacamole is produced using perishable ingredients such as avocado, tomatoes, onions, and fresh cilantro. Thus it spoils quickly.

A lot of the time, we believe that because food includes lime juice, which is a natural preservative, it will not deteriorate. The truth is that both store-bought and homemade guacamole will go rotten at some time, or its quality will decrease gradually, and you may have to throw it.

Opened guacamole or handmade guacamole will likely spoil faster than an unopened one. Exposing your guac sauce to oxygen and moisture, like any other fresh food, may hasten the decomposition.

Why does guacamole go bad?

The main reason guacamole goes bad is because avocado, like banana, spoils quickly. Well, maybe not the flavor, but it starts to turn brown after about an hour of being chopped and exposed to air.

Avocados contain a polyphenol oxidase enzyme, which causes a chemical reaction within the avocado flesh, turning it dark and slimy.

It’s a chemical process that frequently occurs in fruits (including avocado), but there are methods to avoid or slow it down.

How Long Will Guacamole last?

Guacamole can last anywhere from 2 days to 8 months, depending on how it is stored. Other factors, such as fridge temperature and the ingredients used, might also impact the shelf life of your favorite dip.

How Long Does guacamole last In the Refrigerator

Guacamole will keep for 3-4 days if made fresh and with the necessary amount of citrus juice or other acids to avoid browning.

However, consuming the guacamole before this period is advisable, as the flavor and texture will no longer be enjoyable after day 3.

Also, by day 4, the guacamole will be at risk of spoiling and may have already begun to turn. Spoiled guacamole, if consumed, can cause significant stomach irritation and result in undesirable digestive disorders.

Commercially made guacamole has a somewhat longer shelf life, lasting 5-7 days, mainly owing to preservatives’ use.

How Long Does guacamole last In the Freezer

Given how little time guacamole can be kept in the fridge or on the counter, freezer storage may surprise you.

Homemade guacamole may be frozen for up to six months if kept in an airtight container. Some packaged guacamole may call for shorter cooking durations, and it’s preferable to follow those instructions.

It’s an easy method to thaw out your guacamole. Place the container in a basin of cold water and let it there until completely thawed. Like other frozen meals, Guacamole should not be frozen again once it has been thawed.

The chilly water helps maintain a uniform temperature in the container as the contents thaw, preventing uneven aging of the guacamole. Once thawed, put your guacamole in the fridge and enjoy it within 2-3 days, just like fresh guacamole.

How Long Does guacamole last On the Countertop?

Freshly prepared guacamole should be consumed within a few hours, especially if left on the counter. A store-bought commercially manufactured guacamole can be kept at room temperature for 3-4 hours, but it should be destroyed after that period.

Because of the temperature, keeping guacamole on the counter or even ‘safe’ in the microwave is not a good idea. Warmer temperatures hasten the aging process, and the avocado’s oil and fibers break down.

Guacamole that has been left out for more than 4 hours or overnight (even if it was chilly) should be discarded immediately.

How Long Does an Unrefrigerated store buy a jar of Guacamole Last?

So you know how long your dip can be stored in the fridge. But what about when you bring it out for your gathering? How long does guacamole keep in the fridge?

You should only leave your guacamole out for a maximum of two hours. Put it in the fridge at that point. It would be advisable to serve small pieces and keep the rest in the fridge; replenish the dish as needed.

What if you have a jar of store-bought guacamole that hasn’t been opened yet? Eating unopened guacamole that has been left out overnight is not recommended. The store-bought kind is purchased in a refrigerated area of the supermarket and is intended to be refrigerated.

Shelf Life of Guacamole

Unopened store-bought guacamole can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. Most of the time, it should be fine even a few days after the manufacturer’s specified use-by date.

When opened, store-bought guac will keep in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. However, anticipate the freshness to fade with each passing day. If you prepare the dip at home, it will keep in the fridge for approximately 2-3 days if properly preserved.

Freezing might help your guacamole stay fresher for longer. The homemade guacamole will keep in the freezer for around 4 months, but an unopened can of store-bought guacamole will keep in the freezer for a whopping 6 to 8 months.

When avocado sauces and dips are kept in the freezer for too long, they can lose taste and change consistency. Your guacamole may not be as chunky after thawing, and it may taste somewhat different from what you anticipate from freshly produced guacamole.

Do Avocado Pits Keep Guacamole from Browning?

You may have seen someone leave the avocado pit in their guacamole if you’ve cooked guacamole at home or with friends. You’ve undoubtedly heard this advice at least once. The fact is that the pit is not particularly defensive.

It may prevent some of the guacamole from becoming brown, but only the portion of the mixture immediately contacts it. This is because the only thing that keeps guacamole fresh is limiting its exposure to air.

How to Tell If Your Guacamole Is Bad

There are telltale indicators that your guacamole dip has gone bad and is no longer safe to eat.

Here are a few pointers to get you started:

1. Be Aware Of The Use-By Date

The quickest method to tell if store-bought guacamole is still okay is to look at the use-by date on the package. Most manufacturers recommend using these dips within 3-7 days for maximum freshness.

If you refrigerate the guacamole unopened, it should be good for another 3-5 days beyond the use-by date. When you open it, however, those numbers drop to 2-3 days when stored in the fridge.

So, if your dip has been in the fridge for more than two weeks, even if it is unopened, it is likely that it is no longer as fresh, but you should still watch for clear symptoms of decomposition.

2. Examine for Mold and Wateriness

A decent guacamole dip should have a thick texture. If you keep it out in the open or even in the fridge beyond its specified shelf life, it will get watery, and mold will bloom on the surface of the dip.

3. Keep an eye out for a color shift.

Guacamole will become brownish when exposed to air for even a few hours. Combine the dip or scoop out the brownish area, and you’re ready to go. If you observe a grey covering, mold is forming, and the guacamole is no longer safe to eat.

4. Check for Odors by Smelling

When you look at guacamole, you can generally tell whether it’s spoiled. However, the fragrance might also give it away. The scent of fresh avocado is mildly nutty and pleasant. Any odor indicates that the dip has lost its freshness and should be destroyed.

If there is mold on the food, avoid smelling it. The spores might cause an allergic response or aggravate any existing respiratory issues.

5. Conduct A Taste Test

If you believe that your guacamole isn’t as fresh as it should be, scoop a little bit and taste it. Guacamole that has gone rotten will have a sour or putrid flavor. Even though the guacamole still seems green, do not consume it if it has become watery; this is an early symptom of deterioration.

how to store your guacamole

Here are a few tricks for extending the life of your favorite dip:

1. Get Rid of the Air Bubbles to Prevent Oxidation

Exposing guacamole to air causes browning and accelerates deterioration. Ensure no air is caught within your guac when keeping it in plastic Ziploc bags or freezer containers.

Squeeze the Ziploc bag before and after spooning in the guacamole to remove any air bubbles. If you must use a container, choose one that is airtight and has a tightening band on the lid for a tight seal.

2. Use Lemon Juice to Slow Browning

A little lime or lemon juice goes a long way toward preserving the gorgeous green color of guacamole and increasing its shelf life. For the best results, follow these steps:

• Place the guacamole in a medium-sized mixing bowl and smooth it with a spoon.
• 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice over the dip. This will protect the guacamole from the air and slow the pace of oxidation.
• To avoid air bubbles, cover the guacamole with plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate and eat within 2-3 days for homemade guac and 3-5 days for store-bought guac.

3. Use Water to Preserve

Using water to preserve your avocado dip may seem unusual at first, but bear with me as I explain. Water functions as a barrier between the guacamole and the air, which, as we’ve seen, is the enemy of fresh guacamole.

This clever method works as follows:

• Fill a jar with guacamole to the brim with a tight-fitting lid. Flatten the surface of the guac to eliminate any air bubbles that may have formed below.
• Pour roughly 12 cups of lukewarm water onto the surface of the dip using a measuring cup. Gently fold the guacamole to prevent the water from fracturing the flattened top and allowing air bubbles to enter.
• Refrigerate the container for up to 3 days after covering it with the lead. Remove the lid and tip the container to one side to pour out the water when ready to use. The dip can then be stored and used as usual.

What Causes Guacamole to Turn Brown?

It’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves since we’ve all been burned by brown guac at some time. When an enzyme in avocado combines with oxygen in the air, the flesh becomes brown.

This is referred to as oxidation. Because avocado is the main ingredient in guacamole, the color of your guac will alter as well.

The top layer of your guacamole may be brown, while the guac at the bottom of the bowl remains green. This is due to the upper layer protecting the lower layers from oxygen in the air.

Is it OK to consume a brown avocado?

When making guacamole, the avocado should have a bright green color. Is it terrible if guacamole becomes brown? No, not always. Guacamole oxidizes when exposed to air, turning it dark green or brown. Peel off the dark covering and eat the remainder.

How to Prevent Guacamole from Browning

The remedy is as simple as H2O. Topping guacamole with water prevents air from penetrating the guacamole, preventing it from browning. Using this easy trick, you can keep guacamole from browning for up to three days.

• When you’re ready to keep the guacamole, put it in an airtight container. You may alternatively use a bowl and wrap it securely with plastic wrap.
• Flatten the surface of the guacamole with a spoon to eliminate any air bubbles.
• 12 inches of water should be added to the top of the guacamole. Ensure that the water covers the whole surface of the guac.
• Refrigerate the guac for up to three days after covering it with a lid or covering.
• When you’re ready to serve your guacamole, carefully pour the water and give it a good swirl.

The Dangers of Consuming Old Guacamole

Guacamole that is commercially manufactured and packaged has an expiration date. This is not the same as an expiry date. You can safely consume the guacamole a few days over the use-by date as long as there are no symptoms of deterioration.

However, handmade or opened store-bought guac may go bad, and we’ve already covered how to detect if your dip has gone bad. Eating expired guacamole might cause food illness.

Bacteria such as salmonella, E.coli, and Bacteroides can be found in rancid guacamole. Diarrhea, stomach discomfort, vomiting, and even fever might result from them.

Can you freeze Guacamole to make it last longer?

Guacamole’s texture changes when it’s frozen and thawed.

The texture is changed to varying degrees depending on how it was before freezing. A chunky, home-style guac does not freeze well, but a smooth sauce-like guac does.

As a result, some businesses advocate freezing their guacamole while others do not. Wholly Guacamole, for example, claims that its product freezes nicely.

You may either go to the website of your favorite guac maker and check if they advocate freezing their product, or you can conduct your testing.

Even though the manufacturer does not encourage freezing, their product usually freezes very effectively, so it’s always worth a shot at least once.

When freezing guacamole, either freeze the entire unopened jar or freeze it in ice cube trays. The former is the simplest and requires the least amount of time, while the latter allows you to thaw as much guacamole as you require.

How to freeze your guacamole

Here are some helpful hints for freezing guacamole:

• Put everything in Ziploc bags. Scoop the dip into freezer-safe plastic bags using a wooden spoon. Squeeze out all air to avoid oxidation, which can hasten decomposition.
• Keep in containers. Plastic bags can be replaced with freezer containers. Pack the guacamole into the container, cover with cling plastic wrap to prevent frost burn, and close with the lid to keep it fresh.
• Add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice: Guacamole kept in the freezer is less likely to brown, but you may take precautions in any case. Pouring a tiny quantity of freshly squeezed or store-bought lemon juice into the guacamole before packaging and freezing is a nice way to achieve this.
• Place the guacamole in the refrigerator to defrost for a couple of hours before using. Keep in mind that if frozen avocado is kept in the freezer for an extended period, it will lose its chunky, creamy texture and delicious undertones.

Why is Guacamole good for you?

Avocados are the main ingredient in guacamole. This is where the majority of the minerals and vitamins are derived. Avocados are a superfood that is high in nutrients.

It has a high potassium content. This vitamin assists in the regulation of blood pressure, the reduction of water retention, and the promotion of bone health. It also helps to prevent strokes and kidney stones.

Avocados are high in vitamin K as well. This fat-soluble vitamin assists in blood calcium regulation and blood coagulation. It also aids in the formation of healthy bone tissue.

It also contains B5 and B6 vitamins. These aid in the formation of blood cells. They also aid in converting the proteins, carbs, and fats we ingest into energy.

The presence of vitamin C stimulates growth and development. It also helps with iron absorption, bone health, and immune system regulation.

Avocados are high in monounsaturated fatty acids as well. These good fats aid in the reduction of inflammation. They also help to lower the risk of some malignancies.

As a fiber-rich dietary item, Avocados are also beneficial for weight loss. The fiber aids with blood sugar regulation and promotes digestive health.

Lime juice also contains a lot of vitamin C and antioxidants. They aid in the promotion of heart health, the enhancement of immunity, and the prevention of kidney stones. They also promote skin health.

Conclusion

Guacamole, as delicious as it is, is one of those meals that does not store well. While you may store homemade guac dip in the freezer for a few months, it will not have the same rich, creamy flavor as a fresh dip. Always keep avocado dip refrigerated and consume it within two days of opening.

Editorial Staff

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