Hummus is an incredibly delicious, nutritious food, and it’s so easy to make, eat, and use in a variety of ways. If you find a great deal on hummus, you may want to stock up and keep it in the freezer.
So can you freeze hummus? And, since there are so many different kinds of hummus, does it depend on what variety you are using?
Let’s find out how to save hummus for later.
Can You Freeze Hummus?
Hummus freezes beautifully and lasts for a long time in the freezer.
Traditional chickpea hummus will last in the freezer for up to a year, but there are a few tricks to get the best flavor and texture when you thaw it.
How to Freeze Hummus
Tip: Because there are so many different kinds of hummus, with such a broad range of ingredients and preparation methods, your favorite brand, variety, or recipe of hummus may be different from the general guidelines described here.
If you can, freeze and defrost a small amount of your own hummus as a sample to find out what works best for you.
Firstly, before freezing hummus, consider how you want to thaw it. Hummus takes a long time to thaw, and the more you have in a container, the longer it takes to thaw.
If you want to enjoy it in smaller portions, it’s a good idea to put it into smaller containers before freezing. Here’s how to freeze hummus.
- Put it in a freezer-safe, airtight container. Leave a little bit of room in the container for some expansion.
- Smooth the top. Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to make the surface of the hummus smooth and flat.
- Cover it with a thin layer of olive oil. Olive oil is a key ingredient in hummus, so it won’t affect the flavor, but a thin layer of oil on the top will help to preserve the texture and flavor of the hummus.
- Freeze the hummus. Traditional hummus recipes will last in the freezer for 6-12 months.
Hummus varieties that are flavored with herbs and spices, such as lemon, rosemary, chipotle, cayenne, etc., should keep when frozen as long as traditional hummus, but the flavor may lose some vibrancy over time.
If you have a variety of hummus that has been blended with vegetables, such as red peppers, pumpkin, black beans, eggplant, etc. then they will be best when frozen for less than 4 months.
Related Post: Can you freeze guacamole? Would it even last long?
How to Thaw Hummus
Thawing hummus can take a long time.
Here’s how to do it best.
Thaw it
The day before you want to eat it, move the hummus from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw.
Stir it
Once it has thawed, stir it up to restore the original consistency.
Taste it
Depending on the variety of hummus and how long it’s been frozen, the flavor may have lost some of its vibrancy.
Consider adding a little minced onion or garlic or a splash of lemon to refresh it a little bit.
If you have a flavored variety of hummus, consider adding some of the ingredients that flavor your variety.
Heat it, if you want
If you prefer your hummus warm, you can heat it gently in the microwave after it has thawed. Don’t use the microwave to defrost hummus.
Enjoy it! Thawed hummus should not be re-frozen, and should be eaten within a week of being defrosted.
Related Questions
How do you defrost hummus?
To defrost hummus, move it from the freezer to the fridge and let it thaw overnight.
If you are in a hurry, you may want to place it in room temperature water, but it will still take several hours. Don’t use heat to defrost hummus.
How long does hummus last in the freezer?
Traditional hummus lasts in the freezer for 6-12 months.
Some varieties that include a lot of vegetables should be consumed within 4 months of being frozen.
What happens if you freeze hummus?
If hummus is frozen for a long time, some of the more flavorful compounds may lose their flavors.
The mixture may separate a bit after freezing and should be stirred before serving.
How do you know if hummus has gone bad?
Hummus that has gone bad will have a distinct, sour, unpleasant smell. You may also see mold or mildew on the surface of the hummus.
If there is a slight textural change, but stirring returns it to a normal texture, and it looks and smells normal, your hummus should be safe to eat.