If you love Middle Eastern cuisines, then hummus can’t miss in your recipe list. When you prepare hummus at home, the chances are that you’ll have more than you can eat. But hummus has garlic and lemon, which can go bad faster if exposed to a warm environment for long.
So, what can you do with hummus leftovers? Can you cook extra hummus and freeze it for future use? Read on to find your answers.
Table of Contents
What is hummus?
Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip savory or spread. It has cooked and mashed chickpeas that are blended with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. It also has garnishing like olive oil, parsley, and paprika. It’s a sweet dish that has lots of health benefits.
Since it mainly comprises vegetables, it’s a good source of vitamins and minerals, making it the best choice for vegetarians. It can reduce inflammation as it has olive oil, which is also an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Hummus resembles a creamy paste that has umami flavors, although its texture is that of mayonnaise. When you eat hummus, it easily melts in your mouth but leaves a garlicky taste on you.
You can eat your hummus with a sandwich. Pair it with a fruit or add it to spaghetti.
Can you freeze hummus?
You can freeze hummus in your freezer using an airtight container for some weeks. But there are things you need to do right to make it last longer in the freezer.
For example, you shouldn’t fill the whole container with hummus to give it space for expanding as it freezes. Also, avoid opening the container as it will spoil faster. If best, store it in smaller containers to have control of the portions you’ll use.
Can you freeze supermarket hummus?
Yes, you can freeze supermarket hummus. The supermarket hummus may even freeze better than the ones you make at home. This is because they contain preservatives that help extend their shelf life.
But ensure you store them in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container. The best container to freeze supermarket hummus is airtight plastic containers. To have an easy time when thawing, freeze a smaller amount of hummus per container.
Can you freeze Sabra hummus?
Sabra hummus manufacturers are in New York. They also produce various foods like guacamole and bean dips.
The company boasts quality and certified kosher and vegetarian products. So, if you love store-bought hummus, sabra can meet your demands.
However, you cannot freeze it according to the company’s guide. This is because it consists of natural ingredients with no preservatives, which make its shelf life short. Also, it’s sensitive to temperature, and freezing can change its texture and flavor.
How to freeze hummus
You can freeze hummus using different methods depending on the packaging materials you’ve got. You can use either the container you bought it with, an airtight container, or ice cube trays.
 1. Freezing hummus in an airtight container
Doing this isn’t involving as you only transfer the hummus in a container and close the top tightly. A plastic container or glass will do but ensure it’s airtight. When putting hummus in the container, remember to leave some space for it to expand.
But some people advise sprinkling a tablespoon of olive oil on top of the hummus. It may help retain its texture after you thaw them. If you want to freeze your hummus, put the container in a freezer bag to avoid having freezer burns.
Freeze less than 12 ounces in a container to give it room for thawing evenly after removing from the freezer. Remember to seal the container tight to avoid interfering with the flavor of hummus. It will also ensure it doesn’t pick bad smells from the freezer.
2. Freezing hummus in ice cubes
If you want to store hummus in smaller portions, it’s advisable to use ice cube trays. Doing this will prevent exposing all the hummus to moisture when you want to use a smaller quantity. Instead, you’ll only open the piece you want to use for that time.
To achieve this, pour the hummus into an ice cube tray using a scoop. Or have bigger portions and use muffin tins. Then put the ice cube tray in the freezer for some hours to make it solidify. You can leave for a maximum of 8 hours. Or let them stay overnight.
After that, repackage them into freezer bags or airtight containers. Ensure you label them well. Finally, put the frozen hummus in the freezer and let them stay for as long as you wish. But it would help if you were keen to note their expiry date and eat them before then.
You can also use baking sheets to freeze hummus in a smaller portion. The portion is big enough for you to use in one serving. After placing hummus in the sheets, put it in the freezer to allow them to freeze. After your hummus has become frozen, could you put them in an airtight container? Label the container, and then put it back in the freezer for some time. Â
 3. Freezing hummus in its original container
It’s the easiest method for storing store-bought hummus. It will help you avoid messing around with hummus while transferring them to the ice cube trays. But you should use the whole content once you open it or get it out of the freezer.
How long will hummus last in the fridge?
After freezing hummus, the duration it can take in the fridge depends on how you handle it. Its expiry date is another factor you should also consider. Remember, it shouldn’t stay past the expiry date without eating all of it up. Also, how you store it is another factor to consider.
If you leave hummus unopened past its expiry date, it can last for around three to ten days. But if it’s homemade hummus, it will take three or five days in the fridge.
But If you leave your hummus opened in the fridge, it will last for around four to six days. However, homemade will take not more than five days in the fridge.
When you put hummus in the fridge it means you want to allow it to thaw. In the process, it may become watery, and its texture may change, which is normal. To restore its texture, stir and mix properly. You can also put more olive oil as you stir to help get back its thickness.
Another thing that will change as you thaw hummus is its consistency. It may not get back to normal after mixing or adding olive oil. The changes happen because of the ingredient’s proportions on it.
Also, its consistency will depend on its manufacturer. If you don’t love the results after thawing, you can change the brand and see the difference. Or, if you do make homemade hummus change the recipe.
How long should hummus take in the freezer?
If you freeze store-bought hummus in the right condition in an airtight container, it should last. But ensure you freeze it deep in the freezer where there is no frequent temperature fluctuation. W
Hummus can stay up to six or eight months.
Be keen to note its expiry date. Also, ensure its packaging is not opened during that time. If you have homemade hummus, they can stay in the freezer for a maximum of eight months. But don’t open it during that duration as temperature change can make it spoil.
Will hummus freeze well?
Even though freezing hummus will interfere with its consistency and texture, it freezes well. But there are factors which can influence that too, like regular change in temperature. Also, since homemade hummus consistency changes after you thaw, it won’t freeze better than the store-bought one.
If you bought your hummus, though, they would freeze better. This is because they have preservatives that can slow down or suppress ingredients’ breakdown.
How long does hummus take to defrost?
You can defrost hummus overnight in the fridge. Or put it in water for some hours for it to thaw well. It can spend around six hours in the water to melt.
Also, defrosting your hummus in a microwave is possible. But when you do, so its texture will change, and it may also become warm in the process. Defrosting hummus in a microwave won’t take much time. This is because it should first thaw in the fridge for some time before proceeding to the microwave. But some people don’t let it thaw in the refrigerator when microwaving.
How to thaw frozen hummus
To thaw your hummus, put it in the refrigerator overnight or for 24 hours. Doing this will give it enough time to melt evenly and soft. Giving it time in the fridge will also help it retain its flavor and texture.
After your hummus thaws fully, you should mix it thoroughly using a spoon. Mixing will further help it get back its texture. You should expect it to become thinner, though, as its waters expand in the freezer. It will also be slightly grainier and have a different taste and consistency.
If the taste is not appealing to you, add some spices. Use paprika, black pepper, or cumin to enhance its flavors. Alternatively, add some chopped onions, garlic, and bell pepper.
Note that after thawing hummus, you should eat it all. You can’t freeze hummus again once it’s out. And if you did melt excess hummus, be keen not to repeat the same mistake.
Conclusion
Since you can freeze hummus, don’t worry when you’ve bought extra if it was on a flash sale. Also, you can freeze leftover hummus and use it later.
But ensure you use the best method, which will make them stay longer in the freezer. Your preferred method of preservation should depend on its use or the duration you want to freeze it.
If you have any comments or questions, write them down in the comments section. Let’s know about your experiences with freezing hummus.Â
How To Freeze Hummus In An Airtight Container
Doing this isn't involving as you only transfer the hummus in a container and close the top tightly.
Materials
- Hummus
Tools
- Plastic container or glass
Instructions
- When putting hummus in the container, remember to leave some space for it to expand.
- But some people advise sprinkling a tablespoon of olive oil on top of the hummus. It may help retain its texture after you thaw them. If you want to freeze your hummus, put the container in a freezer bag to avoid having freezer burns.
- Freeze less than 12 ounces in a container to give it room for thawing evenly after removing from the freezer. Remember to seal the container tight to avoid interfering with the flavor of hummus. It will also ensure it doesn't pick bad smells from the freezer.
