Can You Freeze Hummus? (2024)

Hummus is a classic, popular dip, but when it comes to safe food storage, can you freeze hummus? The quick answer is yes, you can freeze hummus and later thaw it out for safe consumption.

Hummus is a delicious blended dip of chickpeas, garlic, tahini and lemon juice that’s extremely prevalent in Middle Eastern andGreek foods. It’s a yummy treat and the perfect appetizer dip for hosting. If you end up with extra hummus at the end of a party, there’s no need to let it go to waste — instead, try freezing it. If you want to successfully freeze hummus and eat it later on, you’ll need to know how you can freeze hummus properly and how to safely thaw and use it. To help, we’ve put together a go-to guide on freezing hummus.

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  • Can You Freeze Hummus?
  • How To Prepare and Freeze Hummus
  • How To Thaw and Use Frozen Hummus
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Can You Freeze Hummus?

Yes, you can freeze hummus. Hummus is a vegetarian dish made with simple ingredients, so it’s actually a pretty stable food item for freezing and thawing out. The low temperature of your freezer should prevent any dangerous bacteria from growing, so your only concern would be a change in texture or flavor if you left the hummus frozen for several months before eating it.

The easiest type of hummus to freeze is plain hummus since there are no vegetable chunks or other extra ingredients that have to keep their flavor during the freezing and thawing process.

Can you freeze homemade hummus? You might find more success with freezing a store-bought hummus as opposed to homemade hummus, since the store-bought version has more preservatives that will maintain the hummus’ original texture and flavors, even while frozen.

Can You Freeze Hummus? (1)

Can You Freeze Hummus Dip?

So, you can freeze hummus, but can you freeze hummus dip? The answer is absolutely! Whether it’s a basic hummus or a fancy hummus dip, you can freeze hummus. As long as you follow regular food safety rules (keeping food at a freezing temperature to prevent bacteria), hummus dip will keep just fine.

As with regular hummus, the main issue is changes in flavor. Some elements of a hummus dip (especially vegetables) will dehydrate when frozen, leading to a funky flavor and texture when thawed. It’s still safe to eat, just not as enjoyable as it would have been when it was fresh.

Can You Freeze Hummus? (2)

How To Prepare and Freeze Hummus

You can freeze hummus easily. All you need is an airtight container, olive oil and a functioning freezer.

Start by putting your hummus into an airtight container, like Tupperware. If you have unopened store-bought hummus, you may be tempted to throw that right into the freezer. While you can freeze hummus in its original container, it’s not always the best idea. Food usually expands when it freezes, and if a store-bought container is brand-new and filled to the brim, you may be looking at a broken container and a big mess in your freezer. With that in mind, transfer your hummus to a reusable, sealable container and leave some room at the top.

Before you seal up your container and put it into the freezer, drizzle a little olive oil over the hummus. The oil will help infuse extra moisture into the dip so it won’t be too dry when you thaw it out. Then, tightly close the container and place it in your freezer.

Can You Freeze Hummus? (3)
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How To Thaw and Use Frozen Hummus

You can thaw hummus just as easily as you can freeze hummus. Most hummus dips will retain their taste and texture for about four months in the freezer, so if you’re still in that window, now’s your time to enjoy that yummy chickpea blend.

To thaw out your hummus, simply transfer the container from the freezer to the refrigerator. It will probably take 12 to 24 hours for the hummus to fully thaw. Don’t keep the hummus out on the kitchen counter to thaw, though — hummus should always be kept in the refrigerator when you’re not actively eating it.

When you’re ready to use the thawed hummus, give the dip a good stir before eating it. This will help smooth out the texture and blend in the extra oil you had drizzled on top. Once the hummus is back to its regular texture, you can carry on using it exactly as you would use a fresh hummus dip.

Can You Freeze Hummus? (4)

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You can freeze hummus in just about any scenario, as long as the hummus is kept in an airtight container and you use it within about four months. Just remember that hummus will slowly change in texture and flavor over time, so be prepared to add extra olive oil and do some dedicated stirring once it’s time for the hummus to thaw.

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Can You Freeze Hummus? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Freeze Hummus? ›

Hummus freezes well for about four months. The longer you freeze hummus, the more likely it is to change flavor and texture. If you have a lot of hummus to freeze but want to thaw it out in small amounts, use several freezer bags to divide it. Place your desired amount in the bag and press out as much air as possible.

Why is hummus not suitable for freezing? ›

The freezing process may render your hummus dry or separated, or it may make the hummus taste a bit bland. Revive it by swirling in some extra olive oil and/or lemon juice and by adding some freshly minced garlic. Once it's back up to your standards, you can use the hummus just like you normally would.

What's the best way to freeze hummus? ›

Before you seal up your container and put it into the freezer, drizzle a little olive oil over the hummus. The oil will help infuse extra moisture into the dip so it won't be too dry when you thaw it out. Then, tightly close the container and place it in your freezer. Your kitchen is now your own culinary classroom.

How long does hummus last in the fridge? ›

Homemade varieties will generally last anywhere from 3-4 days, whereas store-bought brands generally lasts 6-7 days after opening. These estimates assume that it maintains a refrigerated temperature; as we mentioned already, the shelf life of hummus is diminished greatly if it does not remain chilled.

How to defrost frozen hummus? ›

How to Thaw Hummus. Regardless of how you freeze hummus, it should always be thawed overnight in the refrigerator. As with most foods, the larger the quantity, the longer it will take to thaw. Once thawed, hummus should be enjoyed within five days and should not be refrozen.

Can you freeze hummus in Ziploc bags? ›

Spoon the hummus into an airtight container.

Avoid using Ziploc bags or glass containers when freezing your hummus, as a bag could freeze the hummus unevenly, and the glass may crack while thawing. Leave 1 in (2.5 cm) or so of space between the lid and hummus. This will allow the hummus to expand while it freezes.

Is hummus fattening? ›

Simply put, hummus is a wise food choice, whether you're looking to eat a more nourishing diet, or lose weight. It's not fattening in the right quantities, and it's a great source of complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber that your body needs to be balanced! We're happy it's as nourishing as it is delicious.

How to make hummus last longer? ›

“You can add lemon juice to reduce the pH and add preservatives, but these usually only extend the shelf life for a couple of weeks in chilled storage. As an alternative, you can pasteurize the hummus and this can extend the shelf life to up to 6 weeks in chilled storage.

Can dogs eat hummus? ›

Can Dogs Eat Hummus? Though hummus is primarily made from chickpeas, it's not safe to feed your dog. This is because hummus contains many other ingredients that are not dog-friendly, including garlic, onion, and spices.

What does adding ice to hummus do? ›

The Ice Cube Trick for Hummus

For extra light and fluffy hummus, adding an ice cube to the hummus mixture before blending helps incorporate air into the mixture. Only add an ice cube if you're using a heavy-duty blender or food processor that can handle chopping ice.

Is it OK to eat hummus everyday? ›

While hummus is a very healthy snack option, it should not be consumed in large quantities.

Can I eat hummus 10 days after opening? ›

Store-bought hummus may have a longer shelf life than homemade, depending on how it is prepared. But both varieties should last up to 7 days in the refrigerator (for prepared hummus this applies once the container is opened). Like any food, hummus is perishable and is prone to spoilage.

How to tell if hummus is bad? ›

Hummus that has gone bad smells sour, and it also tastes sour. Hummus that is fresh shouldn't have a real scent unless it has been seasoned with something strong like garlic or lemon. Once the sour smell and taste set in, it will likely develop the telltale signs of something expired: mold (via Eat by Date).

What is the best container to freeze hummus in? ›

Freeze hummus by keeping it in an air-tight container (the one it came in from the store is fine). Make sure the lid is tightly secured to help prevent freezer burn. We recommend also placing the container in a freezer bag to help prevent odor absorption and freezer burn. It's good practice to label the hummus.

Why can't you freeze shop bought hummus? ›

You sure can! Freezing works for both homemade and store-bought hummus. The store-bought ones often freeze better because they have extra preservatives. But remember, freezing may change the hummus's taste and feel a bit.

What can I do with frozen hummus? ›

Prepare to Thaw: The day before you want to eat it, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator. It takes at least a few hours to thaw until it's ready to eat – and it can take longer depending on how much is frozen in the container, which is why you shouldn't freeze hummus in large batches.

Can you freeze chickpeas for hummus? ›

Yes, you can freeze chickpeas or garbanzo beans! Freezing them is not only a great way to preserve the shelf life of your chickpeas, but a great way to ensure you always have them on hand when you need them at a later date. I personally keep a stash of frozen, cooked chickpeas in my freezer at all times!

Can you freeze reduced fat hummus? ›

Keep refrigerated. Once opened, consume within 2 days and by 'use by' date shown. Not suitable for freezing.

Can you freeze store-bought dips? ›

If you're a fan of sour cream dips and are wondering if you can freeze them, the answer is yes! Just as you can freeze sour cream, you can also freeze sour cream-based dips just the same way. However, it's important to note that the texture of the dip may change upon thawing.

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