Whether you’ve made your own, bought some from the shop or have been gifted some – there’s only so much hummus you can eat so what do you do with the leftovers? Are they destined for the bin or can you freeze hummus successfully?
Can You Freeze Hummus?
Yes, you can freeze hummus for up to 4 months. To freeze hummus, you should portion it out into freezer-safe containers before sealing airtight and placing it in the freezer.
Can You Refreeze Hummus? No
Does Hummus Freeze Well? Sometimes
How to Freeze Hummus
So you’ve got your hummus made? Now it’s time to freeze it!
- Prepare Containers: Grab a few containers that are roughly the size of a portion you would normally eat. This will make it far easier to defrost the correct amount when you fancy some hummus.
- Portion Out: Fill your container with hummus – only fill it around 75% of the way. You want to leave a little bit of room for your hummus to expand as it freezes.
- Seal: Place the lid on the container, ensuring it is airtight. If you want to give it an extra seal then place a thin layer of olive oil over the top of your hummus. If you’re concerned it is not airtight then wrap a layer of clingfilm around the container.
- Freeze: Now all you need to do is label them up with the contents and the date they need to be consumed. You can then place them in the freezer.
3 Tips for Freezing Hummus
Now you know how to freeze hummus, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing it to have the best results:
Check It Is Airtight
If air can get in then your hummus will be ruined. Use good-quality containers with tight-fitting lids. if you’re worried that air might be getting in then wrap the container in a sheet of protective cling film too.
Avoid Textured Hummus
Rustic, homemade hummus might be delicious but that chunky texture will not hold up well in the freezer. Instead, stick to smooth, blended hummus.
Label Clearly
This is especially important if you have made different varieties of hummus such as beetroot hummus or red pepper hummus. By labelling them clearly, you’ll be able to grab the right hummus each time.
How Long Can You Freeze Hummus?
Hummus can be frozen for about four to six months, however – somewhere around the four-month mark, the hummus will slowly start to take on a bitter taste, and the oils will begin to separate, so it’s best to not leave it in for too long.
This can cause the hummus to lose its creamy texture and become somewhat grainy.
As with all frozen products, we highly recommend labelling up the box with the contents and the date it needs to be consumed so you can avoid any unnecessary future wastage.
Once opened, supermarket hummus will last for around a week with a tight-fitting lid. Homemade hummus, however, will only last for a few days.
How Do You Defrost Hummus?
It is best to thaw your hummus in the fridge and leave it overnight before using it. Once your hummus is thawed, it can be left in the fridge for another three or four days.
When thawing your hummus, there is quite a high chance that some of the oil will separate from the rest of the hummus. This is not a cause of concern so don’t throw it in the bin. Instead, just give it a good stir to incorporate the oil back into the body of the hummus.
Can You Refreeze Hummus?
Over time, hummus will become separated and can dry out when frozen. If you refreeze hummus, you can actually speed up the rate at which it dries out. That is why it’s a good idea to avoid refreezing it if possible.
Although it is safe to refreeze hummus, it’s not something we would recommend.
Does Hummus Freeze Well?
Initially, there will be no difference between fresh and frozen hummus, but as time goes on even frozen hummus starts to slightly separate and dry out. Most of the time, this process is very slow and gradual during the initial four months.
But then it rapidly goes downhill. After one or two further months in the freezer, your hummus will go rancid and you will need to throw it out.
Hummus frozen in larger batches has an even shorter lifespan – two to four months. Thus, for the best flavour and texture – defrost and use your hummus within the first two or three months after freezing it.
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing hummus or hummus in general, then these may help:
Yes, you can freeze store-bought hummus, but only if you haven’t opened it and broken the seal. When it comes to freezing most things, it’s all about getting an airtight seal. Once you’ve opened the container, you’re unlikely to get a good seal back.
You can freeze hummus, avocado and guacamole. So the simple answer is, yes, you can freeze avocado hummus. We would recommend using our method for freezing guacamole here.
In terms of freezing, there is no difference between freezing either organic or non-organic hummus. The advantage, of course, with organic hummus, is that there are fewer chemicals and ingredients to mess around with your hummus when it is freezing.
Hummus cups can be quite delicate which is why it is not a good idea to freeze hummus cups. You’ll find that the pastry becomes soft and soggy.
Yes, Sabra hummus can be frozen in the container it was purchased in. This works particularly well if it is unopened as it should be airtight.
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