My 16 year old daughter recently decided to be a vegetarian and we as a family decided to support her. I have been searching for vegetarian recipes online and I noticed that a lot of them use hummus. My daughter loves hummus because it makes a lot of her meals exciting and flavorful. I want to pre-make batches of them, but can you freeze hummus?
Not only is hummus tasty, it is also healthy and is a staple in every vegetarian’s diet. It is rich with protein, fiber, and antioxidants due to the ingredients that make up hummus.
It’s always good to have some of this Middle Eastern dip ready during meal time as it is very versatile. So can you make them in advance and keep them in the freezer for stocking purposes? Absolutely! It is a healthy, easy and cost efficient way to have it ready when the cravings for it arise.
Can You Freeze Hummus?
A lot of people think that it’s not okay to freeze hummus because of its rich and creamy texture. Fortunately you can, and for as long as you know how to do it properly, freezing hummus is very doable.
Hummus is normally made up of chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, tahini and olive oil. The chickpeas alone make it very healthy because it is packed with protein and fiber.
Whether you get the packaged ones or make them at home, hummus will generally last for 6 to 8 months after the printed date if you put it in the freezer. Refrigerated, packaged ones can last 3 to 10 days while the homemade ones from 3 to 5 days.
Freezing hummus can depreciate its flavor. But do not worry, that can be fixed by adding a few more spices after thawing it.
Thawing hummus can take a while. It is best to let it thaw in the freezer at least a day before or several hours before you plan to use it.
It is important to remember though that once you thaw hummus, you should never refreeze it. It should also be consumed within that week.
How to Freeze Hummus?
There are a few things to remember when freezing hummus. Here are a few steps to help you make freezing hummus a humongous success!
- First, decide on the portioning of the hummus that you want to serve per meal or snack. If you normally consume them in small portions, try to store them in small freezer-safe containers. If you will use them by bulk, then simply adjust your container.
- When your container is ready, pour your hummus in and make sure not to fill it up to the lid. Hummus will expand when it freezes so leave space in your container for this.
- Pour olive oil on top of the hummus to seal in its moisture even when in the freezer.
- Make sure that the container is airtight when inside the freezer to preserve its freshness. You may also use Ziplocs or freezer bags.
- Don’t forget to label your containers with the date that you put them in the freezer for easy monitoring.
- Remember to consume thawed hummus within the next seven days and never refreeze them.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Hummus?
Hummus is a delicious and healthy dip made from chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice. It’s perfect for dipping veggies or pita bread, and it makes a great spread for sandwiches. But what do you do when you have extra hummus? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover hummus:
1. Make a salad dressing – Hummus makes a great base for a salad dressing. Just add in some vinegar, oil, and spices, and you’ve got a delicious and healthy dressing for your greens.
2. Use it as a sandwich spread – Spread some hummus on your favorite sandwich for a tasty and nutritious lunch.
3. Dip your veggies in it – Hummus makes a great healthy dip for veggies. Just cut up some carrots, celery, or other vegetables and dip away.
4. Make roasted red pepper hummus – To make roasted red pepper hummus, simply add in some roasted red peppers to your favorite hummus recipe. This will give your hummus a delicious and unique flavor that everyone will love.
5. Use it as a pizza topping – Believe it or not, hummus actually makes a great pizza topping. Just spread it on top of your pizza dough and add your favorite toppings. Give it a try!
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover hummus. Next time you find yourself with extra dip, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Hummus Recipes
Don’t be afraid to make hummus at home. Making it yourself gives you the freedom to customize it according to your taste and you may even end up with something that is better that store-bought ones.
Make healthy and delicious snacks on the go. Try some whole wheat Salad Hummus Wrap for a savory and fun way to eat vegetables.
Feeling a bit adventurous? Try making a Creamy Vegan Hummus Pasta Salad. Who knew hummus would be good on pasta, too?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAWHaFZbCRc
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze hummus. Freezing it will not compromise its taste and texture at all. In fact, it will even taste better when thawed because the ingredients sort of “marinate” once they are in the freezer for a few hours or so. Follow these steps for freezing hummus: put the hummus inside an airtight container that is freezer-friendly (glass is usually the best option), leave a little bit of room around to allow for expansion while freezing, cover tightly after your desired storage time has passed, label properly if you plan on keeping it more than a month, and enjoy!
How do you plan on freezing your hummus? Share your experience with me through the comment section below.