How long pudding keeps in the fridge, and why to skip the freezer
Quick answer
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Fridge
Keeps for until use-by date
Keep pudding at 40°F (4°C) or below until the use-by date on the package, and eat it within 2 days of opening.
Watch out Never leave pudding out of the fridge for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
Refrigerated pudding is good until the use-by date on its package, and for 2 days after you open it. USDA FoodKeeper doesn't recommend freezing pudding. Dry pudding mix keeps 1 year in the pantry, or 3 to 4 months once opened.
Buying pudding this week?
On a Listonic list, every item gets the amount you need and a note on when to use it by.
- Quantity and unit on every item
- A note like “fridge, use within a week”
- One list shared with everyone at home
Refrigerated pudding lasts until the use-by date on its package, and 2 days after you open it, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Freezing pudding isn’t recommended.
Pudding needs the cold, so it shouldn’t sit out for long. Dry pudding mix is the exception, since it keeps in the pantry.
How long does pudding last in the fridge?
Pudding lasts in the refrigerator until the use-by date on its package. Once you open it, eat it within 2 days.
The USDA says to keep cold food at or below 40°F (4°C), so check that your fridge stays there. Pudding kept warmer than that sits in the range where bacteria grow fastest.
| Pudding | Where | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerated, unopened | Fridge | Until the package use-by date |
| Refrigerated, opened | Fridge | 2 days |
| Refrigerated | Freezer | Not recommended |
| Pudding mix, unopened | Pantry | 1 year from the date of purchase |
| Pudding mix, opened | Pantry | 3 to 4 months |
How long is pudding good for after opening?
Opened pudding is good for 2 days in the fridge, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Count the 2 days from the day you open the container, and keep it at 40°F (4°C) or below the whole time.
Does pudding need to be refrigerated?
Yes, refrigerated pudding needs to stay in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below. The USDA says never to leave perishable food out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
Bacteria grow most rapidly between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. The USDA calls this range the Danger Zone.
How long can pudding sit out?
Pudding can sit out of the fridge for no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when it’s above 90°F (32°C). The time starts when the pudding leaves the refrigerator, so count serving time too.
Put what’s left back in the fridge within that window. An opened container still keeps only 2 days from the day you opened it.
Can you freeze pudding?
USDA FoodKeeper doesn’t recommend freezing pudding. Keep it in the fridge instead, and eat it by the use-by date or within 2 days of opening.
With the freezer out, the fridge is the only place FoodKeeper gives refrigerated pudding. Open a container when you can finish it within 2 days.
How long is banana pudding good for?
USDA FoodKeeper has no line for banana pudding, so it gives no fridge or freezer time for it. The times on this page cover refrigerated pudding and pudding mix only, not chia pudding, rice pudding, or bread pudding.
How long does pudding mix last?
Pudding mix keeps 1 year in the pantry from the day you buy it. After you open the package, it keeps 3 to 4 months, counted from the day you open it.
Frequently asked questions
Is pudding good after the use-by date?
Plan to eat unopened pudding by the use-by date on its package, which is the time USDA FoodKeeper gives it in the fridge. Once it's open, eat it within 2 days.
What temperature should the fridge be for pudding?
Keep pudding at 40°F (4°C) or below. The USDA says to keep cold food at or below that temperature.
Can you freeze banana pudding?
USDA FoodKeeper has no line for banana pudding, so it gives no freezer time for it. For refrigerated pudding in general, it doesn't recommend the freezer.
Does pudding mix need to be refrigerated?
No, USDA FoodKeeper lists pudding mix in the pantry. It keeps 1 year unopened and 3 to 4 months after opening.
