So you’ve bought a small container of guacamole and used most of it on a plate. Now you don’t know very well what to do with the leftover avocado spread.
The answer to the question “does guacamole go bad?” is obviously yes, but you don’t know how long you can keep the sauce in the fridge.
In this article, we’ll go over the storage, shelf life, and spoilage of guacamole. If you want to know a little more about this avocado-based dip, keep reading.
How to preserve guacamole
In terms of preservation, guacamole is quite similar to other popular dips and dips, such as pesto and hummus.
You can find store-bought guacamole in the refrigerated section, so it’s pretty obvious to keep it in the fridge.
Once the container is opened, you must remember to close it hermetically every time you put it back in the fridge.
| ADVICE |
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| If your container is not easy to reclose, transfer the sauce to an airtight container. |
Guacamole, like split or mashed avocado, turns brown on exposure to air. So if the sauce sits in the fridge for a day or two, it’s quite normal for it to be slightly browned when you take it out.
| ADVICE |
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| To slow down the browning process, you can brush the surface of the sauce with an acidic liquid. Lemon or lime juice are the best options from a flavor standpoint, but vinegar can also work. Be sure not to add too much acidic agent, as it will alter the flavor of the sauce. And you could end up with perfectly green guacamole that tastes sour and good for nothing. |
Let’s talk about food hygiene. If you want to serve guacamole for dipping, spoon a couple of tablespoons into a small bowl. When your guests leave and it’s your turn to clean up, throw away the rest. Guacamole doesn’t keep very long at room temperature, and getting it wet transfers a lot of bacteria to it, so leftover guacamole should be thrown away.
Last but not least, homemade guacamole should always be kept in the fridge, period.
Can guacamole be frozen?
Freezing and thawing guacamole alters its texture, that much is clear.
The degree to which the texture is affected depends on what it was like before you frozen it. A chunky homemade guacamole doesn’t freeze as well, but a smooth one like a salsa freezes quite well.
That’s why some companies recommend freezing their guacamole and others don’t. For example, Wholly Guacamole says their product freezes great.
You can visit the website of your favorite guacamole maker to see if they recommend freezing their product, or do some testing yourself.
| ADVICE |
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| Sometimes, even if the manufacturer doesn’t recommend freezing, their product freezes quite well, so it’s always worth trying it at least once. |
As for how to freeze the guacamole, freeze the entire unopened container or freeze it in ice cube trays. The former is the easiest and takes no time at all, while the latter allows you to easily defrost as much guacamole as you need.
How long does guacamole last?
Store-bought guacamole often comes with an expiration date. This date indicates the time that the product should retain its freshness.
Of course, that’s a pretty safe estimate, so unopened guacamole should last a few more days, maybe up to a week. Once the container is opened, the leftovers will last in the refrigerator between 3 and 5 days.
As for the homemade guacamole, you can keep it in the fridge for 2 or 3 days. That’s also about how long the sliced or mashed avocado lasts.
| Fridge | |
|---|---|
| Guacamole (unopened) | Expiration + 5 – 7 days |
| Guacamole (open) | 3 – 5 days |
| Guacamole (homemade) | 2 – 4 days |
Please note that the above timeframes are rough estimates.
How do you know if the guacamole is bad?
Let’s start with the guacamole that is browning. As we have already said, browning is perfectly normal. You may notice some signs of browning even after a day of opening the container.
A slightly browned avocado is not bad at all. The brown part will probably be somewhat bitter and definitely not as good as fresh guacamole, but it is edible. If you want, you can remove the brown layer, discard it, and use the rest. As I mentioned in the storage part, you can help prevent browning by sprinkling the surface with a little lemon or lime juice.
Now let’s move on to the deterioration of the guacamole. First, look for the usual signs of deterioration. These include mold or any growth on the surface of the sauce and an unpleasant (or funny) odor.
If there are no noticeable signs of spoilage and you have always kept the sauce in the fridge, it should be edible. Now you can try a small amount and decide if it’s good enough to use. If it tastes bitter or you don’t like the taste at all, throw it away.
| WARNING |
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| Remember that guacamole is a very perishable sauce. Its useful life in the refrigerator is short, and you must respect it. If the sauce stays in the fridge longer than it should, it’s best to get rid of it. Yes, even if it seems to be perfectly. The first signs of deterioration are hard to notice, so it’s best to play it safe. |
Summary of Shelf Life and Spoilage of Guacamole
Thank you for reading this article, I hope you have found it useful. Now, let’s do a quick summary:
- How long does guacamole last? Store-bought guacamole will usually keep for a few days after the expiration date printed on the label. Once the container is opened, use it within 3 to 5 days and keep it tightly closed and refrigerated.
- How long does homemade guacamole last? Homemade guacamole keeps for 2-4 days, maybe up to 5 days. After that period, it is no longer safe to eat, and you should throw it away even if everything looks and smells good.
