Have you ever wondered “can you freeze hummus?” The delicious dip is so irresistible, but if you buy in bulk, you’ll need a plan to store it long term.
Let’s take a look at whether hummus can be frozen and, if so, how to best preserve its taste and texture.
Products you need for freezing hummus
There are a few key items you’ll need to get hold of if you’re thinking of freezing hummus.
- Airtight containers – you’ll need a freezer safe container to properly freeze your hummus
- Freezer bags – you could also use these
- Freezer labels and sharpie pen – you’ll need to know the exact date of when you froze your hummus
- Ice cube trays – these are great for freezing hummus in smaller portions
Can you freeze hummus?
Absolutely! If you buy or make a huge batch of hummus, freeing it is a good way to store it long term. There are two different questions to ask when it comes to freezing hummus:
Can you freeze homemade hummus?
Preserving homemade hummus is particularly important. After going through all the effort to whip up some delicious homemade hummus, the last thing you want is to let some go to waste.
So, if you’ve made more hummus than you can eat, the good news is that homemade hummus freezes just fine. Other ingredients added to your homemade hummus might affect the taste and texture once it has thawed, but generally, your homemade hummus will freeze well.
Can you freeze store bought hummus?
Yes, although it depends on the ingredients as to how well the store bought hummus freezes. Store bought types of hummus will more often than not contain preservatives that will help retain the taste and texture during the freezing process.
However, any additional ingredients in the hummus, such as roasted red pepper, might have a detrimental effect on the quality of the hummus once thawed.
What exactly is hummus?
Hummus is a delicious dip made from a combination of crushed chickpeas, lemon juice, minced garlic and tahini. Sometimes other ingredients are used, such as red peppers or beetroot.
How long does fresh hummus last?
Fresh homemade hummus lasts between 3-4 days when stored in the fridge. Store bought hummus, as it contains various preservatives, usually lasts a little longer – around a week.
Whether your hummus is homemade or store bought, be sure to keep it in an airtight container.
What exactly is hummus?
Hummus is a delicious dip made from a combination of crushed chickpeas, lemon juice, minced garlic and tahini. Sometimes other ingredients are used, such as red peppers or beetroot.
How long does fresh hummus last?
Fresh homemade hummus lasts between 3-4 days when stored in the fridge. Store bought hummus, as it contains various preservatives, usually lasts a little longer – around a week.
Whether your hummus is homemade or store bought, be sure to keep it in an airtight container.
How long can you freeze hummus?
Freeze hummus for up to four months. Any longer than that and the taste and texture will be affected too much.
How do you defrost hummus?
The best way to thaw hummus is to do it slowly. Leave it to thaw in the fridge overnight. This way, you’ll be able to use it the next day.
Defrosting hummus slowly in the fridge means it’ll be ready to use the next day, without much effect on the taste and texture.
You could also thaw hummus in room temperature water. Submerge the hummus container in a bowl of water, making sure it is completely covered by the water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the hummus has managed to thaw completely.
How do you restore the texture of hummus once thawed?
Once you’ve defrosted your hummus, you might find that the texture is a bit watery, oily or lacking in creaminess.
The best way to restore that lovely texture is to give it a good stir. Simple! You could also drizzle a little bit of olive oil into the hummus, to add extra moisture.
Can you add extra flavour to thawed hummus?
Can you refreeze thawed hummus?
I don’t recommend it. Refreezing hummus will affect the taste and texture too much.
The best way to avoid a scenario where you might want to refreeze defrosted hummus, is to freeze in smaller portions in the first place. This way, you can take the exact amount needed from the freezer to defrost.
How do you know when hummus has gone off?
It will have a distinct sour smell. If you think your hummus has gone off, don’t take a chance.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Tips for freezing hummus
Let’s recap on all the key points you’ll need to follow in order to properly freeze your hummus so that it’ll stay fresh for longer:
- Freeze the hummus as soon as possible. The longer you wait to freeze it, the more the taste and texture will be affected once you defrost it
- Make sure you use a proper airtight freezable container, to maintain freshness and prevent freezer odours from seeping in.
- If using freezer bags, squeeze as much air out as possible and wrap the hummus first to prevent freezer burn
- Defrost your hummus slowly. If you thaw it overnight, the taste and texture won’t be affected as much
- Don’t refreeze hummus once thawed. It will ruin the taste and texture and could be dangerous, as bacteria will grow
- Hummus can be frozen in smaller portions. If you don’t think you’re going to use all of the hummus at once when thawed, think ahead and freeze it in smaller portions
How to use defrosted hummus
There are lots of different ways you can use your defrosted hummus. Use it as a dip for crudités, add it to chicken, stir it into pasta dishes or spread it on your favourite sandwich.
Hummus recipes
Bored of buying the same old supermarket hummus? Try this delicious hummus recipes on for size:
- Hummus sandwich – the ultimate quick and healthy sandwich, this one demands to be tasted
- Roasted carrot hummus – this takes hummus to a new level
- Beet hummus – a Lebanese dream, this is a delicious hummus recipe that is for those who want to try something a little bit different
📖 Recipe
How to freeze Hummus
Do you have plenty of hummus you don't know what to do with? Learn how to freeze hummus, in 4 different ways, in a few easy steps!
Materials
- Ice cube tray
- Clingfilm
- Freezer bags
- Labels
- Freezer safe airtight container
Tools
- Stirring spoon
- Marker pen
Instructions
How to freeze hummus in the original container
- If the hummus is unopened, just place it straight in the freezer as it is.
- You could also wrap the original container in cling film, then place it in freezer bags.
- You’ll still need to write the date on it, so you know how long it’s been frozen for. Either scrawl the date on the packet with a marker pen, or stick a label on the packaging.
How to freeze leftover hummus
- If the hummus has been opened, or it’s homemade, transfer it over to a freezable airtight container. Leave a gap of about an inch at the top of the container, as hummus expands when frozen.
- Pour a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil on top of the hummus. This creates a protective layer that will prevent moisture loss.
- Label the container or freezer bag with the contents and the date of freezing.
How to freeze hummus in small portions
- Spoon the hummus into small freezer bags.
- Squeeze the air out of each bag before sealing.
- Label each bag with the contents and the date of freezing, then place them into a larger airtight container in the freezer.
How to freeze hummus in ice cube trays
- Spoon the hummus into each section of the ice cube tray.
- Be sure to leave a small gap at the top, as the hummus will expand when frozen.
- Put the tray in the freezer, keeping it flat, and flash freeze for 2 hours.
- Transfer the ice cube tray into a freezer bag and label with the contents and the date of freezing.
Make my day! - Share your thoughts...