Planning a party? Note the first word, planning. It is only natural that you want to get ahead of the game if you’ve got guests. The solution? Making things in advance. But how far in advance do you want to go, and how long can Jello shots last in the fridge.
Well, today, you are about to find out. We are talking all things Jello. We’ll tell you what it is, how far in advance you can make it, and offer some top tips to ensure that your party is memorable for all the right reasons. Ready, set, eat!
What is Jello?
We all love Jello, right? That wobbly fruity flavor, packed full of sweetness.
You’ve got to ask yourself, how much do you love Jello?
Why?
Because when we discovered what it is made of, we started to have second thoughts… Don’t worry, we got over it.
Jello is made of a mixture of the following: –
- Fruit flavoring (normally artificial)
- Sugar
- Coloring
- Gelatin
It’s the last on the list that some people might have a bit of an issue with. Gelatin is essentially made from boiling down the bones, skin, and cartilage of animals. By boiling them in a sort of offal stock, the connective tissues melt at high temperatures, forming a wobbly mass that is then used in catering.
Or as you know it…
Jello.
If you’ve ever used raw gelatin leaves in baking, you might already have suspected this. If you give it a sniff, it isn’t the most appetizing ingredient we’ve ever seen (or smelled).
The good news is that if the above really offends you, you can now get vegan gelatin, so that is always an option.
How Long for Jello Shots to Set?
Here’s the good news. You don’t need to plan that far in advance to make Jello ahead of time. Generally, it only takes between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the ambient temperature and how much water you have added to your Jello.
Want a few ways to speed it up?
It’s all about temperature. The sooner diluted Jello returns to room temperature, the faster it will set. So you can get it to set quicker by cooling it quicker.
Also known as…
Putting Jello in the fridge.
How Far in Advance Can You Make Jello Shots?
The short answer? Between 3 and 5 days.
In its raw form, gelatin keeps fresh for quite a while (after all, it is really high in sugar and is normally wrapped in air-tight plastic). However, when it is diluted and left exposed to air, those pesky bacteria can start to sneak in and eventually make it turn bad.
Remember.
Gelatin, the key component of Jello, is, in fact, an animal product. Like all animal products, it does have a shelf life when prepared.
If you’ve made jello shots longer than 5 days ago, it is time to throw them into the trash and start again…
But look on the bright side, as long as you’ve got more than 2 hours before the party starts, you should be good to go.
What Happens if You Leave Jello Shots in the Fridge?
At first, nothing. Jello is good for a maximum of five days in the fridge. After that time, you run the risk of bacteria growing within the Jello, making you very sick. Bacteria feed on sugar and animal fats, both of which feature in Jello, so it isn’t a good idea to leave them for a prolonged period.
There are a few exceptions, however.
Are you planning more of a ‘grown up’ party? You might have included vodka in your jello shots. Alcohol is a great inhibitor of bacterial growth, so you’ll find that your jello shots will last longer. Some even suggest this can be up to 10 days!
10 days! My, you have been planning in advance.
Can You Get Food Poisoning from Jello?
Yes, you absolutely can and should be aware that jello does go bad.
Because Jello is an animal-based product and contains a substantial amount of liquid. It represents the ideal breeding ground for bacteria if left standing for too long. If you’ve got a few leftovers from the party, it is fine to keep them for a few days, but anything greater than 3 and you really want to start thinking about throwing it away.
Top Tips For Keeping Jello in the Fridge
So, you want to keep Jello in the fridge? Here are 4 great tips for proper storage of Jello.
- Allow enough setting time. While, on average, it takes around 2 hours for Jello to set, if it is a warm day or you have added just a little too much liquid, then this can take longer. As a good guideline, we’d suggest allowing a minimum of 4 hours for your Jello to set.
- Don’t put boiling water in the fridge. While the packet instructions will require you to make your Jello with boiling water, you won’t want to put the jello solution in the fridge right away. It will raise the internal temperature that could cause other food to go bad.
- Cover your Jello, and don’t place it under any raw meat. Listen, guys, food poisoning is real. If you store your Jello uncovered and it gets any ‘drips’ from other sections of the fridge, this could make people feel really unwell.
- To store Jello, place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to five days.
FAQs
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How long can jello shots last in the fridge?
Jello shots can be prepared in advance and last a maximum of 3-5 days providing they’re refrigerated.
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Do you have any good jello shot recipes?
Yes this is our favourite recipe.
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How long does it take for the jello shots to set?
Typically it takes 2-4 hours for the jello shots to set.
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Do jello shots go bad?
Yes jello shots will bad if not consumed within 3-5 days
Conclusion
Jello is one of the easiest desserts to prepare. In fact, it is no harder than making a cup of tea. How long can jello shots last in the fridge? We’d say no more than 5 days as a maximum. Beyond that time, aside from the health implications, the flavor, taste, and texture will be past their best anyway. Are you making jello shots? What’s the occasion? Let us know in the comments below. We love a good party!
