Can You Freeze Hummus? Here’s How You Can Do This
Hummus is an absolutely delicious dish and, if you have it with some pita bread, you’ll enjoy a perfect meal. When you make your own hummus or even when you buy a bunch of it, if you’re left with lots of extra, you may want to look into whether or not you can freeze hummus.
We understand perfectly why you’d want to make sure that your leftover hummus gets stored in a way that ensures you’re going to enjoy it some other time, as well also love this dish.
Can You Freeze Hummus?
One of our readers had a similar issue with whether or not freezing hummus was something that was going to work. Here’s what they had to write:
I bought hummus to use in a dip platter, and now I have some leftover. I want to freeze it but I’m afraid it might change the flavor or texture. Can you freeze hummus?
Yes, you can freeze hummus. The easiest hummus to freeze is plain hummus because it’s made with few ingredients, mostly chickpeas, olive oil, and tahini, and they all freeze well. Flavored hummus can still be frozen, but additional ingredients such as olives or red peppers may change consistency when thawed. When freezing flavored hummus, ensure that the added flavor ingredient is a good candidate for freezing, or you may be disappointed with the results.
How to Freeze Hummus?
To freeze hummus, here’s what you have to do:
- Place the hummus in a flexible, freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
- Allow some extra room at the top to allow for expansion, since hummus expands during the freezing process.
- To help hummus retain its moisture, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top before sealing the container.
- If you plan to use the hummus all at once when thawed, you can freeze it in large batches.
- If you plan to use it for snacking, it may be a good idea to freeze hummus in small containers for single-serving portions that can be thawed as needed.
How Long Can You Freeze Hummus?
Hummus can be safely frozen for up to six months. Be sure to label the container with the date and contents for future reference. Hummus should be kept below zero and in an airtight container to avoid it taking on the flavors of other food items in the freezer.
How to Keep Hummus Longer?
If you want to keep your hummus for longer, it may be a good idea to get a vacuum sealer. These appliances are great as they suck out the air from the bags or containers and create a perfect seal, hence the name. Even though hummus isn’t exactly runny, we still suggest you put the bag in the freezer for a couple of hours before using the vacuum sealer on it. In this way, the hummus will expand some and will be a little bit more consistent when you use the sealer on it.
We have a great list of vacuum sealers you should look into, but if you want a quick recommendation, we suggest the FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine. The FoodSaver works with freezer bags and containers of multiple sizes so you can enjoy smaller portions or whole dishes.
How to Thaw Hummus?
To thaw hummus, there are some steps to follow:
- Remove it from the freezer and place in the refrigerator for several hours or up to a day or two depending on the size of the package.
- Hummus may lose some of its consistency when thawed, so give it a good stir to reconstitute its creamy texture. The olive oil will help with this.
- If the hummus has lost some of its flavor, you can restore it by adding some salt, garlic, or other spices to your liking.
- If you’ve thawed a flavored hummus, adding some of the flavor ingredient to the hummus can help kick up the flavor to its original state.
Thawed hummus will last in the refrigerator up to a week, although the flavor will be best if used immediately. If you find your hummus is slightly grainy or too thin to spread, it can still be used in recipes to add flavor.
Hummus Recipes
If you’re unsure how to make your hummus, we have a few great recipes you should try out: