How long do smoothies last in the fridge? That will depend on a variety of factors.
From the type of milk you choose to the type of fruits and veggies you put in, many elements will ultimately determine how long your smoothies will last in the fridge.
Want to know more? Let’s go!
Table of Contents
- Do Smoothies Go Bad in the Fridge?
- How Long Can You Keep a Smoothie After Making It?
- How Do You Know If a Smoothie Has Gone Bad?
- How Long Do Fresh Smoothies Last in the Fridge?
- How Long Do Fresh Smoothies Last in the Fridge?
- Can You Drink a 2 Day Old Smoothie?
- How to Store Smoothies
- Smoothie Storage FAQs
- Your Smoothie May Not Last Long in the Fridge
Do Smoothies Go Bad in the Fridge?
Yes, they do.
Just as you may wonder, “What Happens If You Eat Stale Chips?” you may also be wondering if and why smoothies eventually go bad in the fridge.
A fresh-made smoothie is typically composed of ingredients that are perishable all on their own. Often made from fruit, milk, yogurt, and even veggies, these nutritious drinks won’t last long once placed in the fridge.
Still, the fridge is the best place for your smoothie to be after making, as sitting a smoothie out at room temperature is highly unsafe.
How Long Can You Keep a Smoothie After Making It?
A smoothie will typically last about 1-2 days after making it, assuming that it is properly stored in the fridge.
During this time, you may notice your smoothie beginning to separate; this is completely normal. Just give your smoothie a good stir, or throw it back in the blender for a few seconds to get everything reincorporated.
How Do You Know If a Smoothie Has Gone Bad?
Similar to how to tell if mango is bad and other types of produce, a smoothie that has gone bad will generally develop a bad smell, and also may look brown or discolored.
Discoloration is also very common with smoothies containing bananas as bananas turn brown once exposed to oxygen. Because of this, you may notice that your smoothie is discolored only within hours of making your smoothie.
This is normal.
If however, you notice browning or other discoloration of your smoothie occurring after 48 hours of having made the drink — even without bananas–then it may be time to toss out the smoothie.
How Long Do Fresh Smoothies Last in the Fridge?
How Long Do Homemade Fruit Smoothies Last in the Fridge?
Homemade smoothies typically last in the fridge for 1-2 days, while store-bought smoothies should last until their expiration date unopened.
Homemade smoothies are made from a variety of perishable ingredients, and as such, should not be consumed if it has sat in the refrigerator for more than 48 hours.
This is because the dairy products and fresh produce that often encompass smoothies make them less likely to last long periods of time, even at cool temperatures.
How Long Do Mango Smoothies Last in the Fridge?
Mango smoothies are typically composed of dairy or non-dairy milk, ice, yogurt, mangoes and a few other additions based on the flavor preferences and nutritional needs of the individual making the drink.
Because of these ingredients, a mango smoothie will typically last only 1-2 days in the fridge.
How Long Do Strawberry Banana Smoothies Last in the Fridge?
Strawberry smoothies, like mango smoothies, are composed mostly of strawberries, milk, yogurt, ice and other ingredients. Strawberry smoothies will only last 1-2 days in the fridge, and may turn brown after a few hours if a banana is used.
How Long Do Fresh Smoothies Last in the Fridge?
Though most smoothies contain mostly fruit, some smoothies are composed of vegetables or a combination of both. These smoothies tend to last the same amount of time as fruit smoothies, which is typically 1-2 days.
How Long Do Veggie Smoothies Last in the Fridge?
For the freshest taste, you’ll want to store your veggie smoothie in the fridge for no more than 48 hours.
Be advised, however, that most smoothies will taste best if you drink them as soon as they are made.
How Long Do Green Smoothies Last in the Fridge?
Green smoothies will taste best consumed the moment you make them. However, smoothies of this sort will also last 24-48 hours in the fridge after you’ve made them, as these smoothies still contain milk, yogurt, ice, bananas, and other ingredients that make green smoothies highly perishable.
Can You Drink a 2 Day Old Smoothie?
You could technically drink a 2-day old smoothie; just be sure to observe how it looks and smells before doing so.
Remember, smoothies are made of ingredients that are highly perishable and should only be kept in the fridge for 48 hours, at the most.
Therefore, you’ll want to look your smoothie over and smell the smoothie before consuming it to make sure the smoothie is still safe.
How to Store Smoothies
The best way to store smoothies is to put them in an airtight glass container for 24-48 hours in the fridge.
You may also freeze your smoothies, though some people don’t always love the results of this method. Still, if you reblend your frozen smoothie after it has thawed and consume it immediately, freezing is a perfectly plausible way to keep your smoothies for up to three months.
Smoothie Storage FAQs
Can you make smoothies the night before?
You sure can.
Smoothies can be made one or two nights before, but we wouldn’t recommend any sooner than this. Just remember to pop your smoothie into the blender the next morning to fix any separation issues that may have occurred overnight.
Also, know that any smoothie involving banana will likely turn colors by the next day; but don’t worry, your smoothie is likely still perfectly safe to drink.
Do smoothies lose nutrients overnight?
Actually, they do!
Smoothie nutrients stay at optimal nutrition within 24 hours of the smoothie being made. After this, the oxidation process causes your smoothie to lose some of its nutritional benefits, which is also the reason your smoothie will start to turn brown or smell bad after a while.
The following are a few tips to keep your smoothies lasting as long as possible:
-Add citrus to keep your smoothie fresher for longer.
-Store your smoothie in an airtight glass jar.
-Fill the glass jar as much as you can with liquid to keep additional air out.
-Always refrigerate your smoothie right after you’ve made it.
-Keep your smoothie for no longer than 24-48 hours.
Your Smoothie May Not Last Long in the Fridge
Because of the perishable nature of smoothies, you’ll likely find that they don’t last long in the fridge.
Rather than try to save your smoothie a few days in the refrigerator, we recommend only storing it up to 24-48 hours in a glass container in the fridge before moving your smoothie to a freezer-friendly ziplock bag where it will keep for up to three months in the freezer.
