The Best Way to Freeze Hummus (Without Making It Grainy)

Freezing homemade dishes and leftovers is an excellent way to keep tasty meals ready and encourage more home cooking. While many traditional frozen foods like soups and lasagnas freeze well, other items, such as hummus, can also be frozen. However, special care is needed when freezing and thawing hummus to preserve its flavor and smooth texture and prevent it from becoming grainy. We spoke to experts Traci Weintraub, a chef and founder of Gracefully Fed, and Carla Schwan, an assistant professor and extension food safety specialist, to find out the best method for freezing hummus, its freezer lifespan, and a simple trick to restore its creamy consistency after thawing so that it doesn't have a grainy texture.

How to Freeze Hummus the Right Way

Homemade hummus is easy to make and even more delicious than store-bought versions. If you plan to freeze some for later, a few simple storage tips can help preserve its creamy texture.

Weintraub and Schwan recommend storing hummus in air-tight containers. When filling the container, leave at least a 1/2-inch of headspace to allow for expansion during freezing." Freezing in small portions works best," Schwan notes. "A thin layer of olive oil on top may help reduce freezer burn and protect its quality."

That layer of olive oil can also help maintain the hummus' consistency, making it smoother and creamier once thawed.

How Long Hummus Lasts in the Freezer

While many frozen foods can last in the freezer for six months to a year, hummus is best enjoyed sooner. Weintraub and Schwan recommend storing hummus in the freezer for no longer than three to four months, since the texture and flavor can begin to deteriorate after that point.

Hummus kept frozen at 0 degrees Fahrenheit will remain safe to eat indefinitely, Schwan says, but its quality may decline enough that you won’t enjoy eating it.

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How to Thaw and Revive Frozen Hummus

Move hummus from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. This allows it to defrost slowly and helps prevent separation.

To restore its texture after thawing, transfer the hummus to a food processor and blend it with fresh lemon juice and olive oil. Freezing can dull the garlic and lemon flavors, Schwan says, so adding those ingredients back in helps the hummus taste fresh again.

If the hummus has separated, blend in a little water and tahini, along with the olive oil and lemon juice, to help smooth it out.