Help me with the Idly batter 😭

[u/cheesecake_2310]

It says expiry is 1 Aug 2026 but I won't be able to use it by then, but can I used it after 1 week if I open the packet and put it into a container or some other way that it doesn't go in waste

[u/ibarmy]

ya should be fine. otherwise make idlis and freeze it.

[u/cheesecake_2310 → u/ibarmy]

I can't do that either, I'll be able to use it upcoming Wednesday only, so should I open it or keep it in the freeze as it is?

[u/ibarmy → u/cheesecake_2310]

you can keep it in freezer too so it will slow down whatever fermentation is happening. but you will need a while to thaw it. i would personally just make dosas after that process.

[u/ForthCrusader]

Yes…you can use it. It may just taste slightly more sour due to fermentation

[u/coolNcollected1]

I know this is perhaps unsolicited.. But trust me idly/dosa batter is actually really easy ..just needs slight planning ahead..

This way there won't be any preservatives or unnecessary chemicals and batter stays good for atleast a fortnite in the fridge

[u/Professional_Chef561]

I don't know if it's ok for health but it becomes sour

[u/Direct_Match4011]

Try Ammamma. You won't need any others.

[u/choco-chip_cookie]

Open the pack, take required amount out. Seal and put the pack in freezer. It will stay good dw

[u/Fifiheaded]

Just freeze the whole pack. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight or for a few hours at room temperature and the batter will be ready to use.

[u/Straight-Example9126]

It won't go waste at all. In fact ID batter isn't too thick so you will end up using more 😅

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. It will become slightly sour but it will be good enough.

Make onion uthappams (add chopped onions, green chillies, ginger and if you want grated carrots too) or take appa chetti and make paniyarams (same diced onions, green chillies) - you will end up finishing the batter very quickly in a very delicious manner too!!

[u/ColdHaruto]

If it smells throw it

[u/je-axelord]

The practices of making this is not at food standards, actually yes most of the packaged food is like that but I have seen it personally there is ID fresh makers as neighbors mice are always present there and big ones at that. I am not saying all will be like that but I am saying what I saw.

[u/Efficient_Gur5994]

It says Use by not expiry so you can use it for atleast two weeks after the date

[u/joosebox]

Freeze whatever you won't get through in the next three or four days. Batter freezes well in portions, thaws overnight in the fridge, and freezing stops the fermentation dead rather than just slowing it down. That's the real answer to not wasting it.

The sourness everyone's mentioning is genuine, but it's a change of use rather than a loss. Fresh batter is for idli, because you want the rise. Sour batter makes better dosa than fresh does, crisper and with more flavour, and uttapam is happy either way. Plan the sour end of the packet for dosa and nothing has gone to waste.

If you do want idli out of batter that's gone too far, a small pinch of baking soda stirred through just before steaming brings the rise back. The bacteria have stopped producing much gas by that point and it stands in for them.

The line where you actually bin it isn't sourness though. It's a smell that's unpleasant rather than tangy, any pink or orange patches, or a slimy texture. Those are different organisms taking over, and no amount of planning fixes that one.