Can You Freeze Hummus?

If you always find yourself throwing away leftover hummus, this is the article for you!

You can freeze hummus, and we’re here to tell you how!

Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip made of blended chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and seasonings.

It is a great source of fiber and protein, especially for people following meat-free diets. It is creamy and versatile, but has a very short shelf life.

If it is frozen correctly, hummus can last around 6 months in the freezer, though for the best quality we recommend eating within a month.

How to freeze Hummus

Hummus is not often sold in an airtight container, so your first step is to transfer your hummus to a freezer-safe airtight pot. We recommend freezing hummus in single serve portions. This means that you can only defrost what you will use, working to reduce unnecessary food waste.

Hummus is not a particularly viscous substance, so ensure you press it all down to maximize the amount you can store.

Leave at least an inch of space at the top of the container for the hummus to expand into as it freezes. This will prevent the lid popping off and your container breaking in the freezer.

Drizzle the surface of the hummus with a thin layer of olive oil. This helps to keep the moisture in the hummus while it is frozen.

We recommend wrapping the container in aluminum foil if you plan to store it in the freezer for a long time, as this will help to prevent freezer burn.

Label the container with the contents and the date frozen. Ensure you write the day, month and year as it is remarkable how easy that information is to forget!

If you want to freeze hummus in individual portions without taking up so much space with all the separate containers, there’s another way. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and get a large ice cream scoop. Scoop dollops of the hummus onto the tray and place in the freezer overnight.

Once they have frozen solid, place inside a labeled ziplock freezer bag. For added protection against freezer burn, place inside a second ziplock bag. Try and press out as much air as possible before returning to the freezer for storage.

You can also freeze hummus in an ice cube tray. A standard tray gives a 2 tablespoon cube, so this is a perfect way to freeze hummus if you don’t eat much in one go. Allow to freeze solid then transfer to a labeled ziplock bag.

You could even use a muffin tray to freeze hummus! Brush the inside of each mold with olive oil and spoon the hummus in. Allow to freeze solid for about 5 hours, then remove from the muffin tray and place in a labeled airtight container.

How to defrost HUMMUS

Remove the desired container of hummus from the freezer 24 hours before you plan to eat it. Place in the refrigerator to thaw. This allows for more even defrosting and will help keep the flavors and textures intact.

Once thawed, stir well to ensure the texture is consistent and the oil layer on the top has been incorporated. If the texture still seems slightly off, try adding a little more olive oil.

You can also add additional water to the hummus and blend if it is too thick. You should blend until the texture is consistent throughout.

You can also thaw the hummus in a bowl of cold water. This will be slightly quicker than leaving it in the refrigerator, but not much.

We do not recommend defrosting your hummus in the microwave, as this can completely ruin the taste and texture.

Some people recommend stirring through some extra spices or seasoning before you eat. As freezing can alter the taste, try and adjust the seasoning as desired. Good suggestions include cumin, paprika, garlic, and black pepper.

Factors to consider before freezing hummus

You should be aware that freezing and thawing hummus will alter the taste and texture. It will not be exactly the same as before it was frozen, however if you follow our tips correctly, it will still be delicious!

The shorter time it spends in the freezer, the more appetising the hummus will be.

Storebought hummus tends to freeze better than homemade, as it will often contain preservatives. These will extend the shelf life of the refrigerated product, as well as the frozen iteration.

Tupperware and other commercially available sealable plastic containers are airtight. We do not recommend freezing hummus in a glass jar as this can shatter in the freezer. It is also much more breakable and will shatter if it falls from the freezer.

It is vital to cover your hummus with a layer of olive oil prior to freezing as this helps to prevent freezer burn. This would cause the texture to become very grainy. Some people even recommend covering the surface with a layer of plastic wrap to lock in the moisture even more.

Once thawed, you should store the hummus in the refrigerator, for no more than 5-7 days. You cannot refreeze thawed hummus as this can cause you to get food poisoning.

Summary

Chickpeas are high in protein, fiber, manganese and B vitamins.

Hummus is an easy and delicious way to get protein into your diet, especially if you are vegetarian or vegan.