Of course you can freeze hummus! Freezing the hummus right will ensure that you never compromise on taste or quality.
Hummus prepared for a dip or a spread can be frozen for up to 2 months and still retain its taste. Although there may be a slight dip in the taste after this period, it will be almost negligible.
So, if you really don’t have the time for regular preparation and you don’t want to buy it at the store, then have no fear — you can easily prepare your hummus in bulk and freeze a portion for later use.
Of course, most of us don’t tend to have hummus out of the freezer, but think of the overall health benefit that is conferred by having hummus always ready to go!
I was taught the right way to preserve hummus, and that’s what I’m here to talk about today. I will lead you through the process of making it from scratch as well as how to prepare and properly freeze the hummus to retain its taste. I can guarantee that when you finally pull out the hummus later, you’re going to enjoy it as though you’d made it that same day.
Once while having hummus at a friend’s, I became a bit curious as to how the dish came about. Knowing its place of origin gave me a shock as I’d had it wrong in my head for so many years, and knowing it had been in existence for years made me feel as though there were lots of things I still didn’t know.
I do not know how many lovely dishes I have yet to become acquainted with, but I do know that I have tried hummus and I love it. I also don’t know what it is about hummus that keeps me saying yes, but I know that my love for hummus is infinite. So, let’s get started on what hummus brings to our table with regards to our intended use.
Homemade Hummus
The homemade hummus is a dip or spread made of chickpea paste with various additions such as olive oil, fresh garlic, lemon juice, salt and tahini. This lovely homemade dish is a popular dish in the Middle East and can either be made from scratch or bought from a grocery store.
Its amazing taste has made it so sought-after that some people have decided to take up its production as a means of livelihood. Pre-made hummus is currently being sold at grocery stores (like the hummus sabra which comes in different variations) for those who don’t have the time or know-how needed to prepare it.
The word hummus is obtained from an Arabic word which means chickpea. It’s actually short for hummus bi tahini, which translates to hummus made with tahini, making the tahini a very important ingredient.
Hummus can be spiced according to one’s desire by the addition of ingredients such as cumin and paprika. The main ingredient of hummus is the humble chickpea, which consists of protein, vitamin B, manganese and other nutrients.
Understanding the nutritional worth of this dish will surely get you excited. I never got to know the nutritional worth until after the taste piqued my curiosity. Then I found out that hummus provides up to 170 calories for every 100 grams consumed, with additional nutritional values such as saturated fat content (although low), carbohydrates, fiber, protein and water.
While some are discouraged by the appearance of hummus, it can be dressed up by a variety of dressings to give an exquisite appearance. If you’ve ever wanted a dip or spread which is easy to make, filled with nutrients and surplus taste, then hummus might just be the thing for you.
Now the Question – Can Hummus be Frozen?
Storing hummus is something you gotta get right. Many people tend to discard their hummus after a couple days of storing. What a waste! Some have tried using local means in preserving it, but I am here to tell you that the best way to preserve your hummus is either to freeze it. That or just eat it already!
If you intend to stop discarding old hummus, then you must freeze the hummus properly or prepare only as much as you can consume. I hear people say hummus can’t be frozen, but as you and I both know, nothing is impossible. You can freeze homemade hummus.
You can also freeze hummus sabra; all you need is the right information.
While you may be complaining about not having enough time to always prepare hummus and generally aren’t satisfied with the pre-made kind you purchased from the store, have no worries. I had the same issue awhile back, and I got the answer, and I’m still eating hummus I made a whole month ago.
Hummus can be frozen.
When frozen, the hummus may be separated a bit but it doesn’t mean that the hummus is spoilt. These are just signs of being frozen. With a little stir, the hummus is as good as new. Follow me as I guide you on how to prepare this hummus (in bulk) and preserve for use for up to 4 months.
How to Freeze Hummus
The freezer life of hummus or hummus bi tahini is simply outstanding — up to 5 months. A rarity compared to other dishes used as a dip or spread. Freezing the hummus is one major challenge a lot of people have faced for some time now. Not that they do not place the hummus in the freezer, but that they skip some important healthy precautions.
I used to make the same mistakes before I found out the right way to preserve my hummus. Tossing into the refrigerator and calling it a day is not the right way to freeze hummus. There are some basic steps that must be taken as far as the preservation of hummus is concerned. Freezing the hummus may make it a bit thinner, but only a little bit.
Hummus can be frozen in an airtight container or a freezer-friendly container. These containers should be washed and kept clean before use.
After making the hummus in bulk, follow these simple steps in freezing hummus properly.
- Separate the hummus into a single serving portion in freezer friendly container, specifically small plastic containers that can hold a perfect serving once thawed. Do not fill to the brim to allow for any expansion of the hummus.
Tip: once the frozen hummus is thawed, it becomes difficult to preserve again and must be consumed within 5-7 days and leftovers must be discarded. Refreezing is not advisable as it poses a risk of contamination.
That is why it is important to separate into portions. In the absence of small-portion freezer-friendly containers, hummus can be kept in a large container and scooped at times of consumption. But do well not to put thawed hummus back with the rest of the frozen hummus.
- Pour a teaspoon of olive oil on the surface of the hummus to form a thin coating or seal. This coating will prevent the hummus from losing its moisture when placed in the freezer.
Seal the containers, label them, and place in the freezer. Make sure to write the date of preparation.
Tip: the same applies when freezing store bought hummus. Seal with a spoon of olive oil before freezing.
When the hummus becomes frozen, it expands and touches the top of the container and that is why it is important not to fill it up to the brim. When the hummus is to be consumed, bring out a container (usually hours before consumption time), pour out the hummus and stir (if frozen in a big bowl, scoop required quantity and add a spoon of oil on the part you removed to form a thin seal).
If the taste has weakened a bit (usually when it’s been frozen for more than 3 months), add a little spice to the hummus, then pour into the food processor and blend for a while. If the hummus is too thick, add a few teaspoons of water, blend with high speed to achieve a homogeneous mixture and serve.
Hummus has a smooth texture and can be taken together with a wide variety of dishes or sides such as fries. It’s also great for spreading on bread. Unlike other dips and spreads, the nutritional value of hummus makes it a great choice for those that would like to eat healthy.
Another interesting fact about hummus is that it can be consumed even after being stored for a long period of time, even as long as 4-5 months. Another aspect of hummus that many don’t know about is that it possesses an aphrodisiac quality, packed as it is with iron, zinc and potassium, boosting your physical energy and sexual functions.
I am not saying that hummus increases sexual potency, but every little bit helps, right? There are unlimited benefits from this dish which would take a long time to list, but if you want to see a new side to your spouse in bed, feed him/her some hummus. Trust me.
The True Origin of the Hummus
Hummus (or hummus bi tahini as some call it) has been the center of discussion for a long time now. Many ethnicities claim to own the patent of its discovery, but the earliest preparation and use of the hummus dates back to Egypt in the 13th century where it was used as a dip.
Although nobody can reliably state its true origin, we do know that it has been in existence for years in Israel, Greece and other Middle Eastern nations. While a lot of people would claim to make the best hummus, the main factor in terms of taste is in the way it is spiced.
Hummus has a lovely taste irrespective of where it is made, and one thing I love about this dish is that it can be taken by all, vegans and omnivores alike.
In this article, I will be giving you a few reasons to appreciate hummus as well as tips on when exactly you should take hummus, be it fresh homemade hummus or frozen homemade hummus.
Pre-made hummus can be purchased from the grocery store or made fresh at home, but whichever way it comes, it can always be frozen for later use.
Yes, you can also freeze store-bought hummus as long as you take the necessary precautions to keep from diminishing its taste. I will be relaying these precautions to you to help preserve the hummus in the best way possible, retaining its taste and avoiding spoilage.
Worked Step On How to Prepare Hummus
Hummus possesses an array of health benefits like low saturated fat as well as high protein and fiber content, making it a dish which can be substituted for other spreads such as mayonnaise.
Its ingredients are really affordable and widely available for purchase.
Although it is made from five basic ingredients which are chickpea, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil, it can be spiced up by the addition of extra ingredients.
Each ingredient has its own role as far as this dish is concerned. For instance, the addition of the olive oil and tahini gifts this dish with a healthy glug, the lemon juice gives it a green balance, while the garlic gives it a pungent punch.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans of chickpeas or 4 cups of drained cooked chickpeas
- 6 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 3 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 6 tablespoons of tahini
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- Cumin (if desired)
- Paprika (if desired)
Reduce each ingredient by a half or a quarter if you intend to prepare for instant consumption with friends and family. Follow these steps for a very tasty hummus.
Directions:
- Open the can of chickpea and drain, reserving the liquid in a bowl. If the chickpea is already drained soak in warm water for a few minutes and sieve before use and pinch the skin from the chickpeas. This will ensure the hummus comes out smoother.
- Pour the chickpea into a food processor, add all other ingredients such as the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper and fit with the blade attachment. Pour to only 2/3 full of the processor volume capacity.
- Blend for about five minutes till every large chunk has been cut up. This will enable the hummus to become smooth. Continue blending until the desired smoothness is achieved.
- Taste the hummus and adjust to taste by the addition of extra seasoning. Spice according to desire by adding the cumin, paprika or both. Continue blending to achieve a homogeneous mixture.
- Stop blending and pour hummus into a serving bowl.
Tip: if the hummus is too thick, add a few teaspoons of the drained liquid in a bowl and blend before pouring into the serving bowl.
Hummus can be made in different ways to bring out different kinds of hummus such as nutty hummus, lemon hummus or even an olive hummus like the already-made hummus sabra, which comes in a number of variations. This dish offers a great deal of versatility, and that comes down to how you spice it.
The nutty hummus, for instance, can be achieved by blending a few nuts (like almond, walnut, etc.) into the hummus before serving; the lemon hummus can be achieved by blending in a cup of chopped lemon, while the olive hummus can be achieved by the addition of green or black olive.
Serving the Hummus for a Wonderful Moment
A served plate of hummus is what everyone is looking for when they want hummus. I am not very particular about the look, and I think you shouldn’t really mind its appearance if you’ve made it yourself and you know what went into it, but when the hummus is to be served to friends, family or even at a restaurant, appearance should be put into consideration.
Hummus may look straightforward and bland when served, especially when served to people seeing it for the first time. Therefore, the dish must be dressed to give it an exciting and desirable appearance. At this point, creativity comes into play. You can look up some few creative Hummuses dressing online and add a bit of creativity to what you have seen.
Dressing this dish can be achieved by added spices and other dish dressings. The hummus can be dressed with nuts, olive leaves, cucumber, etc. as long as it results in an attractive appearance. I regularly change the style when I dress hummus.
It gives me a bit of joy knowing I came up with something new.
Personally, I just go with the flow. But no matter what, hummus is something I really enjoy, even when it’s been frozen for weeks before consumption.
I am privileged to have tried a good number of dishes and to have prepared many of them myself. If you want to talk about shelf life, then hummus should be the first dish on your mind. Freeze hummus by following the few steps mentioned above, and it can be as though it was just freshly prepared.
Now you are endowed with information on how to prepare and preserve this dish to prevent spoilage. No one likes to waste resources and I am strongly against discarding dishes due to ignorance or lack of proper preservative techniques. Freezing the hummus costs nothing at all. Just try as much possible to thaw only as much as you intend to eat. Take only what you need!
Conclusion
So, can you freeze hummus?
I bet you already know the answer to that. Hummus can be preserved but only by freezing in the appropriate manner.
Although, there is no technical expertise needed to freeze hummus, it isn’t just tossing the container of hummus into the freezer; it’s about freezing in a healthy, sanitary way for the overall health benefit of those who will be having the hummus at a later date.
Freezing hummus is one thing a lot of people are skeptical of, fed as they are with spurious information as to whether or not the hummus should be frozen. But in fact, there are few dips or spreads that possess such durability.
Hummus has been around for a long period of time — probably for hundreds of years. Its numerous variations, durability and versatility have made it a favorite all over the world. Freezing hummus, whether it is homemade or bought from the store, will not in any way diminish its quality. But freezing is only effective when done right. Follow these steps and make hummus your new best friend.
