Guacamole can be described as a dip that is made out of avocados, lime, and other fresh ingredients such as cilantro, tomatoes, onions and so much more.
As with most things in our kitchens and pantries, guacamole can either be store-bought or homemade.
The store-bought alternative will usually come with a best by date, that has been printed on it by the manufacturer.
In this case, an unopened can of store-bought guacamole should last for a period of between five and seven days at the maximum.
However, once the container or packaging has been opened, the shelf life of the leftover guacamole decreases. It can now only last in the refrigerator for a period of about three to five days at most.
When it comes to homemade guacamole alternatives, you can keep it in the refrigerator and it will remain fresh and safe to consume for a period of about 2 to 3 days.
How long does guacamole last? Typically, guacamole goes bad very fast. That is, if it is store-bought, it can last between 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator when opened.
When the can isn't opened it can last for a week. If homemade, then it only retains freshness in the refrigerator for between 2 and 3 days.
The key to making guacamole last long is to always reseal the container and ensure that no air gets into it.
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How do you make guacamole last longer?
Keep in mind that guacamole, similar to avocado, turns brown when it is exposed to air, a process known as oxidation. In a bid to slow down the process of guacamole turning brown, you can try brushing the top of the guacamole with an acidic liquid or substance.
I would advise that you go for either lemon or lime juice to use for this purpose because they will not fundamentally alter the taste of the guacamole. If you have no lemons or limes lying around, you can opt to use vinegar in their alternative.
The key to doing this is to always ensure that you do not end up adding too much of the acidic liquid into the guacamole.
If you do this, chances are quite high that you will end up with the freshest looking and green guacamole but one that once tasted tastes purely of the acidic liquid used and I am almost 100 percent sure that nobody wants that.
Can you freeze guacamole?
If you whipped up a whole batch of guacamole and are certain that you will not be eating it all soon. You can choose to freeze the excess.
This can help to keep the guacamole well for up to three months in some cases. The only danger with freezing guacamole is that the process leads to a change in the texture of the guacamole. Typically, the chunkier the guacamole is, for instance, the homemade alternative, the harder it is to freeze.
However, the smoother the guacamole is, for instance, the store-bought one that is almost like a sauce, the better it freezes.
When actually freezing the guacamole, it is advised that you either freeze it as a whole or in ice cubes that can help in the manageability of the guacamole. This is especially helpful since you will be only able to thaw that which you are sure you need for the day or meal that you are planning to prepare.
On the other hand, in order to thaw or defrost the guacamole, simply place it in a cool water bath and let it sit in it until it reaches the consistency that you want or like.
When do Avocados go bad? Click to Read.
How to tell when guacamole has gone bad
Let us start right off the bat with guacamole that has just begun to turn brown. The Browning of guacamole is something that naturally happens so it is a normal occurrence and should not be a cause for alarm.
This means that the slight browning of guacamole does not directly relate to the spoilage of the guacamole.
You can easily just use a spoon to scoop out the browning part of the guacamole and continue to enjoy the rest. Granted it will not be as tasty as fresh guacamole, but it is still safe for you to eat and enjoy your meals with.
To really be able to tell whether guacamole has gone bad or not, you just simply have to look for the normal signs of spoilage in food.
These are usually able to be picked out fast through the use of our senses. To begin with, sight. Look at the guacamole, like really look at it. if you notice any sign of mold beginning to grow on the surface of the guacamole, it is time to throw the whole container out.
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Similarly, if you take a whiff off of the guacamole and the scent is funny or off, do not even attempt to taste the guacamole or use it in anything.
If you look at the guacamole and smell it and nothing seems wrong with it yet you have just taken it out of the refrigerator after more than the prescribed time, you can choose to do a taste test.
For this, it would be best to just take out a small bit of the guacamole and taste it. if it has a bitter taste, the guacamole has probably gone bad and should be discarded immediately.
Guacamole that has been kept out for too long, for instance at a party where it was served with chips should not be kept. This more so the case when the dip has been used. The dipping in the guacamole dip is a front for the spread of bacteria which in turn leads to its spoilage.
How do you properly store guacamole to keep it from turning brown?
It is important for us to always remember that guacamole is a food item that is highly perishable. Ideally what this means is that the guacamole can and does go bad quite fast.
This process is also catalyzed or made to be faster by the way or manner in which you store the guacamole. When guacamole is left on the kitchen counter or out in the open at room temperature for too long, there is no salvaging it.
As a general rule, guacamole does best when it is stored in the refrigerator. The cool temperatures in the refrigerator play the role of slowing down the spoilage process of guacamole.
However, you do not just simply place the guacamole in the refrigerator. Care has to be taken with regard to the container used to do the storing.
The most ideal container to use is one that is airtight and resealable. If possible, to throw in an extra layer of protection, after you put the guacamole in the container and pour some acidic liquid to the top.
You can add a layer of cling film or wrap in order to further prevent any form of moisture or air from getting into the guacamole and beginning the oxidation process.
Also, remember that each time you remove the guacamole from the refrigerator when you return it to ensure that the container is properly sealed.
You can also choose to use the waterway. The process is simple, it states:
- Begin by transferring, placing, or packing the guacamole into a container that you are certain has a lid that is airtight.
- Ensure to press out all the air bubbles that you may see in the container.
- Warm-up some water on the kitchen stove
- Pour out some few drops of water into the container containing the guacamole. This should be done gently and sparingly. It should also be poured into the container gently down its sides. Be careful to ensure that the water should just cover the surface of the guacamole.
- Put on the lid of the container and place it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- When you are ready to eat the guacamole or use it in a meal, simply remove the lid from the container and gently pour out the water we had added.
- Once this is done, take a spoon and stir within the mixture to ensure that the water covers the whole of the contents of the container.
Random facts about guacamole
- There is an actual day of the year in which the people spend and celebrate National Guacamole Day. This day in on the 14th of November.
- Guacamole is one of the most famous dips, especially during the Superbowl.
- Technically speaking, avocados are a fruit rather than a vegetable.
- Avocados were once considered as contraband and had even been banned in the United States
- It is worth noting that about 90 percent of all the avocados grown in the United States of America are grown in the state of California. Yes, you read it correctly, that is 90 percent of all the avocados.
