Deli & Prepared Foods

How long does store-bought hummus last in the fridge?

3 months
Fridge, from purchase — USDA FoodKeeper guidance for hummus (commercial (pasteurized, with preservatives))

Sealed commercial hummus keeps 3 months in the fridge, but once it’s open the preservatives stop buying you much and you’ve got 7 days.

How long does it keep?

Fridge, from purchase 3 months
Fridge, opened 7 days
Freezer Not recommended

Can you freeze hummus? FREEZES, BUT…

Can it sit out?

Store-bought hummus is perishable — the FSIS 2-hour rule applies.

Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).

The 2-hour rule, in full →

How to tell if store-bought hummus has gone bad

  • A sour, fizzy-sharp smell as the lid lifts
  • A domed lid that pops when you open it
  • Mold flecks on the surface or under the rim
  • A bitter, fermented taste off a clean spoon

When in doubt, throw it out.

A slick of olive oil poured over the top seals the surface the way the deli case does — it slows the drying out, not the clock.

Quick answers

How long does store-bought hummus last in the fridge?

Sealed commercial hummus keeps 3 months in the fridge, but once it’s open the preservatives stop buying you much and you’ve got 7 days.

Can you freeze store-bought hummus?

Hummus freezes safely despite USDA’s not-recommended — it thaws dry and grainy, and a hard whip with olive oil brings most of it back.

How long can store-bought hummus sit out?

The FSIS 2-hour rule applies to store-bought hummus. Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).