Nothing’s more refreshing than a cold fruit smoothie on a hot day or after a long workout. They’re healthy, tasty, and easy to prepare. But how long do smoothies last in the fridge?
Serious smoothie fans may even go as far as to make their smoothies in advance and save them for later. So how long do smoothies last in the fridge? The answer is only 1-2 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer.
To avoid adverse effects from consuming rotten ingredients, you shouldn’t drink a smoothie that’s been stored for much longer than 1-2 days in the fridge.
There’s more to learn about keeping your smoothies fresh over time. Here are our tips to help your smoothies stay fresh.
How Long Can You Store Fresh Smoothies?
You can store fresh smoothies in the fridge for one to two days. Make sure the smoothie is in a cup or container with a lid. The lid is necessary to keep air out and to prevent oxidation.
Oxidation occurs when the ingredients in your smoothie are exposed to oxygen.
Oxidation also causes the nutrients and natural vitamins in the smoothie to degrade, so you’ll want to drink your smoothie within one to two days to ensure you get the full benefits of a healthy drink.
If you know you won’t drink your smoothie for a while, you can freeze it instead. Freezing a smoothie helps it last longer without the harmful effects of oxidation.
How to Store Smoothies?
It’s easy to store your smoothies in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to drink them. It’s an excellent way to save some for later!
Here’s how to store smoothies:
- Pour your smoothie into a cup or container with a lid.
- Fill the container to the top to prevent oxidation.
- (Optional): Add lemon juice to the smoothie to avoid oxidation.
- Store your smoothie in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to drink it.
- Enjoy your smoothie!
How Long Do Smoothies Last in the Freezer?
Smoothies last longer in the freezer than in the fridge. In fact, they can last up to 3 months when properly frozen.
You can’t just throw your smoothie into the freezer without a thought. Doing so will likely ruin the smoothie before you have a chance to drink it.
Before freezing, Make sure your smoothie is in an airtight container. Otherwise, you’ll likely end up with a freezer burn that will impact the taste of your smoothie.
Certain ingredients may not thaw as well as others and could impact the taste of your smoothie. For example, bananas tend not to thaw well in smoothies.
How Long Do Smoothies Last at Room Temperature?
You shouldn’t expect your smoothie to last very long if you leave it out on the kitchen counter. However, sometimes a refrigerator isn’t available, and you still want to save your smoothie for later.
In that case, you can safely drink your smoothie for about four hours after it’s been left out at room temperature. But the clock is ticking!
After about four hours, your smoothie will begin losing its nutritional value. It may also get runny or watery as it begins to melt. Drink your smoothie as soon as you can to avoid this!
If your smoothie has been left out for longer than four hours, throw it away without hesitation. It’s not worth risking getting sick—- better safe than sorry!
How to Make Your Smoothies Last Longer
You can make your smoothies last longer by adding lemon juice to them. The lemon juice helps slow down oxidation, which allows your smoothie to last longer.
Adding lemon juice to your smoothie is also a great way to get a little extra vitamin C!
Smoothies with bananas in them tend to go bad faster. So, one way to make your smoothies last longer is to avoid adding bananas.
You can also freeze your smoothies to make them last longer. Just give the smoothie a chance to defrost before you try to drink it.
Can I Make My Smoothie the Day Before?
Prepping your smoothies the night before you go to work, school, or the gym is a great way to get a head start on the day.
This can also be a great way to save money. If you usually go to a smoothie shop for your fruit drink fix, the costs can add up quickly.
Making your smoothies at home allows you to save money and customize your smoothie to your exact taste and preferences! Try making a red vegetable smoothie, which has a longer shelf life.
You can dedicate some time on Sundays to prep your smoothies for the week ahead. That way, you’ll have breakfast on the go ready every day.
You can prep as many smoothies as you have the ingredients for. Try doubling or tripling your favorite smoothie recipes to ensure you have enough.
To store your smoothies, you can use containers like mason jars to keep the smoothie fresh.
Your smoothie may separate while it’s in the fridge overnight. This separation is normal. Just shake it up, and you’ll be ready to sip and go.
Here are more tips you can use to prep your smoothies ahead of time.
Making Smoothies to Put in the Freezer
Start by getting all your ingredients ready. Then, place the ingredients in a freezer-safe container like a mason jar. Your ingredients will keep for up to three months.
If you’re planning on keeping your smoothies frozen for a while, it’s always helpful to label the jars so you can remember what they are.
When you’re ready to make your smoothie, retrieve your ingredients from the freezer and pour them into your blender. Add the liquid of your choice and blend!
Making Smoothies to Put in the Fridge
You can make your smoothies and put them in the fridge for a ready-to-drink option. However, this method has some downsides.
Your smoothies will only last in the fridge for 1-2 days, so your window for drinking it is small.
Also, certain ingredients don’t play well with this method. Leafy greens oxidize faster and can cause your smoothie to change colors or taste off.
Additionally, thickeners like flax or chia seeds will turn your smoothie into a thick, unpleasant mess after a day or so.
If you make your smoothies with frozen fruit, you may also want to avoid this method. Frozen fruit can make your smoothie watery over time.
3 Easy Smoothie Recipes to Make
Making a smoothie doesn’t have to be complicated. It only takes a few ingredients to make a fresh and delicious drink.
Smoothies are also a great way to get more healthy fruits and vegetables in your diet. You can add leafy greens like spinach for an extra healthy touch.
Your smoothie recipe doesn’t have to follow ours exactly, but here are some delicious recommendations to start with.
1. Strawberry Smoothie Recipe
Strawberry banana smoothies are a classic for a reason! They’re easy to make and subtly sweet.
- 1 banana
- 2 cups strawberries
- 1 cup of your liquid of choice (milk, coconut milk, or juice)
- ½ cup plain yogurt
2. Green Smoothie Recipe
You can get your greens with this smoothie recipe featuring healthy spinach.
- 1 banana
- 2 cups spinach
- ½ cup pineapple
- 1 cup of your liquid of choice
3. Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipe
Peanut butter is tasty and a good source of healthy fat as well. Enjoy it in this smoothie for a savory treat!
- 1 banana
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- ¾ cup of milk
- (Optional) add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract for flavor
Signs That a Smoothie Has Gone Bad
Nothing lasts forever, including smoothies. If your smoothie has been in the fridge for a few days and you’re not sure if it’s safe to drink, look out for the following signs that your smoothie has gone bad:
- Bad smell
- Brown or otherwise changed color
- Change in texture
Once your smoothie has gone bad, it’s best to throw it away. Yes, it’s a waste, but you don’t want to chance getting sick from a rotten smoothie.
How to Keep Smoothies From Going Bad
The easiest way to keep your smoothies from going bad is to make sure you don’t make too much in the first place.
Leftover smoothies can quickly go bad, so it’s best to avoid having too many leftovers unless you plan to freeze them.
Instead of making an entire blender’s worth, try cutting the recipe in half to reduce the number of smoothies you make.
Best Way to Keep Your Smoothies in the Fridge
The best way to keep your smoothies in the fridge is to ensure they’re in an airtight container to prevent oxidation. Don’t leave your smoothies in a cup without a lid, as this will make the smoothie go bad faster.
Once your smoothie is in the fridge, make sure and drink it within 48 hours. Otherwise, you risk getting sick from a rotten smoothie.
Whether you keep your smoothies in the fridge or drink them right away, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a sweet, healthy treat!
