If you love your smoothies, you’re probably wondering how long you can store it in your fridge without it spoiling. In fact, lots of people prefer to prepare smoothies in advance so they can manage a busy work and home life. So the big question is: how long do smoothies last in the fridge?
How Long Do Smoothies Last in the Fridge?
If you simply place the smoothie in the fridge in a regular container, you should expect it to last for approximately twelve hours.
Although there are a few variables to consider with this question, the good news is that your fridge will ensure that your smoothies last longer without spoiling and preserve as much nutritional content as possible.
If you make your smoothie and don’t intend to drink it right away, you need to refrigerate it.
You can make your smoothie last twice as long as this, up to 24 hours, if you do the following:
- Always put your fresh smoothie into an airtight container and fill it as close to the brim as possible in order to keep out the oxygen and slow down oxidation.
- Add some extra vitamin C in the form of lemon or lime juice to slow down oxidation even further.
How Long Do Smoothies Last Out of the Fridge?
Sometimes you make a smoothie and then get distracted, or you drink part of it and want to leave the rest until later. But how long will it last outside of the fridge?
If you want maximum freshness and nutritional absorption, your smoothie should last for about four hours outside of the fridge. You can certainly drink it after this but oxidation will be taking place, the smoothie will not be as fresh, and the nutritional content will rapidly be decreasing.
How Long Will a Smoothie Last at Room Temperature?
If you’re making a smoothie to take to work, you may not be able to refrigerate it on your to the office at the office. Knowing how long you’re smoothie is safe to drink at room temperature is key.
A smoothie usually lasts for four hours at room temperature but there are some variables. If it’s hot, your smoothie won’t last this long, and if it’s open to the air, oxidation will happen quickly.
Do Smoothies Have to Be Refrigerated?
Yes, you always want to refrigerate your smoothies if you don’t plan to drink them right away. The fact is that every smoothie will begin to lose freshness and nutrients the longer it sits outside of the refrigerator.
However, if you plan to drink your smoothie within a few hours, you can be safe without refrigeration. However, if more than a few hours have passed since making a smoothie, make sure to refrigerate it to keep it fresh.
Remember to use an airtight container for storage and add lemon or lime juice to slow down oxidation.
How Long Do Smoothies Last in the Freezer?
If you plan to make a smoothie for every day of the week in advance, the best option is to put them in the freezer. A green smoothie, for example, can last for up to three months when frozen correctly.
If you want to freeze your smoothies, you need to invest in proper airtight containers that can also be frozen. If they are not airtight, the smoothie can develop freezer burn and then spoil.
When you want to defrost a smoothie for consumption, just remember to take it out of the freezer and place it in the fridge at least eight hours beforehand. This will unfreeze it and ensure that you have a nice chilled smoothie.
Conclusion
Even though refrigeration always helps to retain freshness and nutrition, you should still look for any spoilage. If the smoothie is taking on some brown hues, it’s spoiling and you should throw it out. If it smells funny or bad, also throw it out.
Smoothies are a great source of nutrition but they should always be refrigerated if you don’t plan to drink them straight away. Refrigerating or freezing them also means that you can store them for longer and use them when you need to.
