Once a professional chef (in the lifetime before kids), Stephanie Ganz has written for Bon Appetit, Eater, BUST, and Virginia Living and is a regular contributor to Richmond Magazine. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, two girls, and one excellent cat. Follow her online: @salganz (Instagram) and @onioncloute (Twitter).
published Apr 12, 2023
comments
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
We always have a container of hummus in the fridge, and our hummus works hard for us. My kids pack hummus in their lunches with pita chips; my husband relies on it for a midday nibble with carrot sticks, and I love to snack on hummus and pita while I’m cooking dinner.
We all appreciate a smooth, creamy hummus loaded with tahini and garlic, and occasionally, we love it so much that we accidentally buy or make a surplus of it. That led me to wonder if the protein-packed chickpea spread could be frozen for later use. Here’s what I found out.
Can You Freeze Hummus?
Yes, you can freeze hummus quickly and easily! Hummus holds up well when frozen for about four to six months. Store-bought hummus may have a slightly longer freezer-shelf life, thanks to the inclusion of preservatives that aren’t in homemade hummus. After four to six months, the consistency of the hummus begins to deteriorate, so make sure you label and date any frozen hummus so you can use it in time.
How Do You Freeze Hummus?
Freezing hummus is simple. You can pop an unopened container right in the freezer, or you can freeze smaller portions of hummus in freezer-safe containers. If you’re looking for a small amount of hummus to use for sandwiches or wraps, freeze hummus in little individual containers (an ice cube tray works well for this) for a few hours, and then place the frozen portions into a freezer bag, and use them as needed.
How Do You Thaw Frozen Hummus?
To thaw frozen hummus, simply move it to the fridge and allow it to thaw overnight. The next day, give it a good stir to incorporate any separated ingredients. If you need to use your frozen hummus and don’t have time to thaw it overnight, you can bring it up to temp, sealed, in a bowl of room temperature water, or, for the fastest results, you can thaw in the microwave on the defrost setting for a minute at a time until completely thawed. Once your frozen hummus has been thawed, consume it within 5 days. Never refreeze previously frozen hummus.
How Do You Revive Frozen Hummus?
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.
Does Frozen Hummus Taste Good?
You may notice a change in flavor after freezing hummus. That’s normal and easy to fix. In addition to adding olive oil, lemon juice, or garlic, you can also incorporate additional flavors like fresh herbs and spices (I personally love it with a sprinkle of paprika) to improve the post-frozen flavor of your hummus.
Filed in:
