Are you wondering how long does a smoothie last in the fridge? We all have been there, when you make too much of your favorite and most refreshing smoothies, and you don’t want to toss it. Since fresh smoothies are made with raw fruits and other ingredients like yogurt and milk, they do not have a long shelf life, even with refrigeration.
Although this is true, you are in luck since there are many ways to answer how long does a smoothie last in the fridge and store these delicious smoothies. Not only can you store the smoothies in unique ways, but I have listed out different methods of using leftover smoothies to enjoy!
What Are Smoothies Made With?
It is not easy to answer the question ‘what are smoothies made with’. Every person has their own preferences, however, most smoothies have some kind of fruit, liquid base, and ice. I like using fresh fruits. However, not all fresh fruits last long enough or have a long ripening time frame to use in smoothies.
It is completely okay to freeze fresh fruits or buy frozen packs of fruits for smoothies. Some people only use water in smoothies, while others prefer dairy products like milk and yogurt. Truly, the possibilities are endless when it comes to ingredients in a smoothie.
The Best Smoothie Recipes
With so many different types of smoothies to choose from, it can be hard to locate a recipe that works well for you. Personally, I recommend making one of these smoothie recipes:
- Strawberry and banana
- mango and strawberry
- mango and pineapple
- pineapple and banana
- grapefruit and apple
- watermelon and orange
For these recipes, find the fruits, whether they are frozen or fresh. Make sure to take peel the outer layer, especially from bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and grapefruit. In a large blender, add your desired fruit, with at least 1-2 cups of a liquid base, and blend with ice.
How Long Does A Smoothie Last In The Fridge?
The biggest question on everyone’s mind is how long does a smoothie last in the fridge? The thing is, there are a lot of factors to consider. How long ago was the smoothie made? What ingredients are in smoothies? Sadly, if you used dairy products in your cool summer drink, it is likely to only last less than seven days, especially without a cover.
However, smoothies that don’t use dairy are also subject to the development of bacteria and mold. Consider that smoothies use a lot of ice. When the ice starts to melt inside of the frozen drink, this brings condensation and also dulls the flavor.
How Long Does A Smoothie Last In the Freezer?
You are likely to have a better answer to how long does a smoothie last in the fridge if you place the smoothie in the freezer with protection. As long as the smoothie is covered in a container that is freezer safe, you can enjoy your delicious smoothie, or popsicle, months after making it.
Usually, a smoothie can last up to three months in the freezer. You can still enjoy it after three months, but the cold temperatures to change the flavor as well as the texture. Truthfully, it is easier to make a new and fresh batch of smoothies than to freeze one for months.
4 Unique And Amazing Preservation Techniques
Listed below are four unique and delicious ways to preserve your leftover smoothies.
Refrigerator
The most obvious way to quickly store and preserve a smoothie is to use the refrigerator. If you have a delicious smoothie and you want to enjoy it in a few hours, the best way to make sure that it is safe to eat and in a similar condition is if it is stored in optimal cold temperatures.
When you place this item in the fridge, make sure that it is covered. If the cup does not have a cover, try using plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Freezer
If you want your answer to how long does a smoothie last in the fridge to be longer, try placing your leftover smoothie in the freezer. The best way to do this is by placing the smoothie in popsicle trays or a freeze friendly glass jar. Be careful freezing anything in glass, though, since the change in temperatures can cause the glass jar to burst!
Leftovers for a Yogurt Parfait
If you want to enjoy the flavor, but don’t mind if the smoothie changes in texture and form, try blending it with ice and yogurt to make a delicious parfait. You can add your favorite ingredients to the yogurt snack like granola, buts, coconut shavings, and more!
This is a perfect breakfast as it uses fresh fruits, and a healthy dairy product like Greek yogurt. However, you will need to still eat the yogurt parfaits within 2-3 days of making and storing them.
Blend into a juice
Do you have a lot of leftover smoothies but you don’t want to let it go to waste? Try and make it into a juice! It is a lot easier to store if the drink is a juice. Add more frozen fruits and liquids like juice and syrups. Adding too much ice or water can cause the flavor to dull.
Conclusion
What do you think about our answer to the question ‘how long does a smoothie last in the fridge? We like to think about preservation with many factors, like, how is the smoothie stored, whether is it in the open, when was it made, where in the refrigerator is the smoothie is stored, and what ingredients are inside the smoothie.
If you have any thoughts or questions you would like to share, feel free to comment them down below. We are always happy and excited to hear from our readers and love feedback! Do you know anyone else wondering how long does a smoothie last in the fridge? Show them this informational blog to spread the news!
FAQs
Can a smoothie go bad in the fridge?
Smoothies are not meant to last forever. They can go bad in the fridge if it has been past five to seven days.
Can you drink a 2 day old smoothie?
Yes! You can drink a 2 day old smoothie, but if there are signs that the smoothie has gone bad like a strange smell or the buildup of mold, it is safer to toss it!
How do you know if a smoothie has gone bad?
Trust your instincts when it comes to food! If you think that the smell, color, or texture of your smoothie is too strange, than toss it!
How do you make smoothies last longer?
There is no foolproof way to make smoothies last longer since they are made with real fruits and dairy. However, cutting out dairy and using water as a base can make it last just a few days longer, but the water can also water down the flavor.