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Shelf Life Guide: How Long Does Pudding Last?

You are hosting a barbeque night this weekend and planning to make some delicious chocolate pudding for the guests.

So, you went to the grocery store to pick up some pudding mix only to find out some irresistible discount.

And you ended up buying tons of it.

Now you’re left wondering: how should I store it for future use? Or, how long does pudding last?

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Or maybe you tried making some pudding from scratch this morning and are left with a big chunk of the mix.

So, you think whether it would last in the fridge for some days or if you should just toss it out.

Whatever your concerns are, we’ve got your back! This article will cover everything you need to know about storing pudding and its shelf life.

You can even learn some signs of rancid pudding, so the next time you see one, you can discard it immediately.

How Long Does Pudding Last? Does Pudding Go Bad?

Pudding comes in different varieties; cook to prepare, pre-packed, instant, or readymade.

Thus, the shelf life for all the varieties is not the same.

The shelf life of pudding also depends on other factors like the presence of thickening agents, manufacturing process, packaging, method of storing, etc.

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To make things simpler, let’s first talk about the store-bought pudding mix.

The good thing about store-bought pudding mixes is that they come with best before dates. You can check this on the manufacturer labels.

You can definitely make use of the pudding mixes past their best before dates provided that you store them well.

Unopened pudding mixes will last for up to a month in the pantry or refrigerator past their best before dates.

Once you prepare pudding using the store-bought mix, it will last for up to a week in the refrigerator.

But before using store bought pudding mixes past the best before dates, make sure to check signs of rancid pudding, which we’ll discuss in the latter part of this article.

When it comes to homemade pudding, it is best to store it in the fridge.

Homemade pudding contains raw eggs and milk, which are likely to turn bad quickly. If you store it in the fridge, it will last for five to six days.

In case you forgot to store it in the fridge and kept the pudding over the counter overnight, you might still be able to consume it.

However, make sure that it is still fresh and doesn’t show any signs of spoilage.

The above-mentioned shelf lives are only a general estimation and can be applied to all types of pudding.

However, while buying puddings from the store, the best thing you can do is follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to storage and shelf life.

Different manufacturers will recommend different storage methods and shelf lives.

On the other hand, when it comes to homemade puddings, always store the excess (batter or prepared pudding) in the fridge, and you’re good to go for up to a week.

How to Tell if Pudding is Bad? Pudding Shelf Life!

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You don’t need any tools or experience to tell if it’s time to toss out your delicious pudding from last week’s birthday party.

Signs of rancid pudding are pretty obvious and clear. Let’s first talk about the signs of spoilage in pudding mixes and batter. Then, we’ll move on to signs of bad pudding.

If your unopened boxes are damaged or leaking, it is better to discard all the mix immediately. Unopened pudding mixes usually last a long time unless moisture gets in it.

However, if you notice any lumps of development of molds in your dry pudding mixes, that’s a clear sign that your pudding mix has turned bad.

When it comes to liquid pancake batter, the signs of spoilage are similar. The appearance of molds, foul smell, or any signs of discoloration shows that your pudding batter has become rancid.

Now, let’s discuss the signs of spoilage in the prepared pudding. If you have ever come across rancid custard, you’ll already have an idea about what rancid pudding would look like.

Since both custard and pudding contain some amount of milk and eggs, their signs are of spoilage are identical.

The first thing you can do to check the quality of your pudding is by taking a good whiff. If it smells sour or weird against its usual milky sweet aroma, chances are your pudding has gone bad.

In the rancid pudding, you may even see pockets of fluid oozing out.

If you couldn’t tell by the looks of it, you can even try tasting a bit of the pudding.

Sour or bitter flavor is a clear sign that you should immediately discard your pudding.

Eating rancid pudding may not be life-threatening. However, it may lead to food poisoning and cause certain health issues.

Conclusion

No matter what kind of pudding flavoring you use- vanilla, strawberry, standard, chocolate, etc. all the puddings will have a similar shelf life.

Why? Because the base of pudding typically remains the same, i.e., eggs and milk.

So, the next time you make some creamy and scrumptious pudding, don’t forget to store them in a cool and dry place, preferably in the refrigerator.

Here are some delicious pudding recipes to get you started!

how long does banana pudding last

How Long Does Pudding Last? Does Pudding Go Bad?

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Shelf Life
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • Pudding
  • Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
  • Labels and markers

Instructions
 

  • Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
  • Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
  • Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
Did you make this recipe?Mention @EatDelights or tag #eatdelights!

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