Hummus is a delicate dish, which changes composition and is damaged quickly, so I will answer the big question: How to preserve hummus for longer?
Whether you have bought the hummus in the supermarket or have prepared it yourself, you can store it in the short term in the fridge, allowing you to keep it for 4 to 7 days. For the long term, you can freeze it achieving an approximate shelf life of 6 to 8 months.
Now that you know the methods to preserve hummus, I invite you to see the step by step to store it perfectly.
How to store hummus in the fridge
Here you have the steps you need to follow to store the hummus in the fridge correctly:
- Step 1. Find a glass container with an airtight seal.
There are many containers to store food, but to store hummus, the ideal is a glass one since it is an inert material that does not interact chemically with the food and does not affect its composition.
- Step 2. Pour the hummus into the container.
In the selected container, pour the hummus, but leave a space between the lid and the contents.
- Step 3. Add olive oil to hummus.
Before closing the lid, pour a layer of olive oil on top of the hummus. This way, the top consistency will not dry out and will preserve the hydration of the hummus.
- Step 4. Store in the refrigerator.
Once packaged, you can confidently store it in the refrigerator to enjoy it the following days.
This preservation method gives a shelf life to hummus of 7 days. [1]
Considerations when storing hummus in the fridge
To verify that the process of hummus preservation is on track in the best way, you must:
- Check the hummus constantly. Each time it is opened, the lifespan of the hummus decreases.
- Try to remove hummus from the container with a clean spoon every time you take a little; otherwise, it accelerates the decomposition of the product.
- Take the hummus out of the fridge half an hour before consuming it so that you can enjoy its flavor well. Since being cold, it feels and tastes different; therefore, always try to eat it at room temperature.
- Transfer the portion you will eat into another container to keep the cold chain where you store the hummus initially.
How to freeze hummus
Freezing humus is one of the most cost-effective options if you want to keep it longer. However, in case you go out on vacation, or you have done an excessive amount, and you are afraid of losing it, the best thing you can do is freeze it to have it for a couple of more months without worrying about it being damaged.
Here is how:
- Step 1. Find a container with an airtight seal.
It must have an airtight seal so that no air current enters. Avoid glass containers since they could break with low temperatures, and do not use zip bags. Instead, look for an airtight plastic container.
- Step 2. Pour the hummus into the container.
Pour the hummus around to 80% or 85% of the capacity of the container because when the hummus freezes, it expands.
- Step 3. Add olive oil to the surface of the hummus.
Before sealing the hummus, remember that you must add a small layer of olive oil to the surface. This is because cold can dry it when it is freezing, then olive oil is added to retain moisture.
- Step 4. Seal, label, and save.
Once sealed, look for a label that you can place on the plastic container to know when you kept it. That way, you keep track of its shelf life since it may last a couple of months in the freezer, then proceed to save it, and that’s it.
This preservation method allows hummus to have a shelf life of 3 to 4 months.
Considerations when freezing hummus
To freeze hummus, you must have certain reservations, which I explain below:
- When you remove hummus from the freezer, try to thaw it in the refrigerator for 24h to 48h before consuming it since it softens more uniformly, respecting its homogeneity.
- Avoid storing the hummus seasoned with pepper or other vegetables because when thawing, you will get another type of texture, and you may not like how it looks.
- It may lose flavor over time in the freezer, so it’s okay if you add the spices to make it delicious again.
How to tell if hummus is bad
Before consuming hummus, it is essential to know if it is in good condition or has been irretrievably damaged since food intake in poor condition can lead to food poisoning.
For this reason, it is crucial to know when the hummus is bad:
- The smell has become very sour.
- The texture has become viscous.
- The color is dull compared to the first time you saw it.
- It may have dried.
How long does hummus last?
In the following table, you can check how long the hummus lasts, depending on the storage.
| Product | Duration time |
| hummus in the fridge | 5-7 days |
| hummus in the freezer | 3 to 4 months |
What is the best way to preserve hummus?
The best method is the one that best suits you, your needs, and your tastes.
If you want to consume your hummus as fresh as possible or continuously use it in the kitchen, the best method for you is refrigerated.
On the other hand, if your plans are different, you have already eaten more than enough, and you have so much hummus left over that you do not want to lose it, the best method for you is to freeze it since it ensures an extended shelf life.
If you liked this post on preserving hummus, I invite you to continue learning about this fantastic world of food preservation.
