While we all know that ice cream should be kept in the freezer, sometimes when putting away groceries you can accidentally store your ice cream in the wrong spot.
While you may think that just because it is refrigerated, rather than just being left out on the counter – there is still a fine line when it comes down to whether your ice cream will be safe to eat after it has been left in the refrigerator.
There are a few factors that go into the safety of eating refrigerated ice cream.
Is It Safe To Eat Ice Cream That Was Left in a Fridge Overnight?
You can safely eat ice cream that has been left in the fridge overnight. While the texture will be affected, you do not run the risk of getting sick. However, if your ice cream has been left in the fridge for longer than one to two days, it needs to be discarded. Because ice cream is designed to be frozen, the components that go into ice cream will spoil when not kept below the freezing level. If you don’t know how long your ice cream has been in the fridge, it is best to just discard it.
What Makes Ice Cream Freeze Properly?
Ice cream has a higher content of fat than milk does. This allows it to freeze, while still retaining the texture that we look for when we think of ice cream. There is also salt present.
Without these components, you would end up with milk with a similar consistency to ice cubes. To make ice cream, along with milk there are also sugars, salt, and cream added to it.
How Long Can Ice Cream Last in the Fridge?
If you accidentally put ice cream in the fridge and want to re-freeze it, it will only last a couple of hours. If you leave it for any longer, it will melt to the point that re-freezing will trap dangerous bacteria.
Otherwise, ice cream can last
in the fridge for up to two days and be safe to eat. Any longer than that and you’re putting yourself at risk for food-borne illnesses.
What Happens to Ice Cream That Has Been Left in the Fridge?’
To achieve creamy ice cream, you need it to freeze as quickly as possible. When your ice cream has been left in the fridge it reaches temperatures that are too high to keep it frozen. The components of your ice cream will begin to separate. This will impact texture and flavor. You will find that your ice cream will melt from the top down.
If left in the fridge for too long, it will completely melt. Because of how ice cream is made, if you eat ice cream that has been left in the fridge too long, you put yourself at risk for food-borne illnesses. Like with anything in the fridge, there is shelf life. You should discard ice cream that has been in the fridge for more than two days.
Can You Refreeze Ice Cream That Has Been Left In the Fridge?
It may be tempting to put your ice cream back into the freezer if you’ve found that you’ve left it in the fridge. There are a few things that you should know before doing so.
Once your ice cream starts to melt, even if you put it back in the freezer, it will freeze with a different texture. You will notice that your ice cream has a thick and almost sticky texture. Due to the separation that occurs when your ice cream melts, you will also notice a change in flavor.
Timing also matters. If your ice cream has been in the fridge for more than a couple of hours, you cannot safely refreeze it. Even so, due to the loss of texture and flavor, it’s best just to use the ice cream right away. If it has been more than a couple of hours, you’ll put yourself at risk for food-borne illnesses.
The ice cream will not be able to freeze in a way that will kill dangerous bacteria. That bacteria will remain trapped.
Frequently Asked Questions About If It Is Safe To Eat Ice Cream That Has Been Left In The Fridge Overnight
How to know if my melted ice cream has gone bad?
Because bacteria growth begins around three days, it’s best to throw out any refrigerated ice cream if it has been longer than two days. Because of the way that ice cream spoils, it can be dangerous before you even notice a change in color, consistency, or smell. With ice cream that is left in the fridge, it is better to use it as soon as possible or toss it.
Why doesn’t melted ice cream freeze to the same consistency?
To get the light consistency of ice cream, it needs to be frozen very quickly. If you are refreezing ice cream that you have refrigerated, your freezer does not reach levels low enough to achieve that. The melted ice cream will freeze like ice cubes do, from the outside. This gives it a thick and sticky texture.
What can you do with melted ice cream rather than throwing it out?
If you have ice cream that has been left in the fridge for too long to put back in the freezer, you don’t have to discard it. Melted ice cream can be used as a substitute for heavy whipping cream. Depending on the flavor, you can use it in sweet or savory baked goods.
Conclusion About Is It Safe To Eat Ice Cream That Was Left in a Fridge Overnight
You can eat ice cream that has been left in the fridge overnight. However, it is only safe to eat for one to two days before it spoils. You may be tempted to put your ice cream back into the freezer.
This, however, will not prevent it from spoiling. You can only put it back into the freezer if it has been in the fridge for one to three hours. The texture of your ice cream will still be affected, but it will be safe to eat.