Can You Freeze Hummus?

If you've ever had leftover hummus from a party or stocked up on too many tubs during a grocery store sale, you may have wondered if you can freeze hummus. The good news is yes, you can freeze hummus, but there are a few helpful things to know when freezing hummus. Hummus is made from chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and tahini, and can be flavored with spices, herbs, vegetables, and more. We all know this tasty, protein-packed dip makes a great appetizer or starter and goes great with flatbread, crackers, and bite-size veggies. We'll answer all your storage questions including three helpful ways to freeze hummus and how to thaw hummus, as the texture can change.

Can You Freeze Hummus?

Great news! Hummus freezes well, regardless if it is store-bought or homemade. However, you may find that store-bought hummus freezes better than homemade. It has added preservatives that help it withstand the freezing and thawing process. Hummus that is flavored, such as roasted red pepper hummus or avocado hummus, does not freeze as well as plain hummus. The flavors can change during the process.

How To Freeze Hummus

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 with a permanent marker. Write the date you’re freezing it and the use-by date. Hummus freezes well for about 4 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 would like to thaw it out in small amounts, use several freezer bags to divide it up. Place your desired amount in the bag and press out as much air as possible. This will help protect the hummus against freezer burn.

To freeze a large amount of hummus in individual portions, use an ice cream scoop to place hummus on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze the baking sheet for about an hour until the hummus is firm. Remove each scoop of hummus from the baking sheet and place in bags to freeze. This way, you’ll have individual scoops of hummus that are easy to unthaw when you need them, already in the perfect amount.

How To Thaw Hummus

When you’re ready to thaw hummus, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. This process might affect the texture and consistency of the hummus, but the taste should be the same.

Once thawed, help the hummus come back to its natural consistency by whipping it up with a spoon, gradually adding olive oil till it reaches a spreadable consistency again. Adding olive oil will help moisten the dip again and add a touch of freshness to its taste as well. When fully thawed, you can also zap the hummus in the microwave for a couple of seconds to help with consistency. Thawed hummus should be enjoyed within five days and should not be refrozen. 

How to Use Thawed Hummus

The great news about using thawed hummus is once you've added olive oil, it's much like fresh hummus. Try blending in your favorite herbs and spices to create a flavored hummus or top it with more olive oil, feta cheese, roasted red bell peppers, olives, garlic, and more. Try adding it to your next charcuterie or grazing board, using it as a spread on sandwiches or wraps, or thinned with olive oil and vinegar to create a hearty dressing for grain bowls.