How to Soften Honey That Has Hardened! {Easy Trick}

There’s no need to toss hardened honey once you know How to Soften Honey. Trust me… it’s so much easier than you think!

So are you wondering How to Soften Honey That Has Hardened? It’s actually SO easy!

Honey is one of those magical foods that can last so long when stored properly. And yes… it has the tendency to crystallize, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it. All you need is to know how to soften honey and keep it soft!

Once you know these simple tricks to liquify honey, you’ll be able to turn your crystallized honey back into that amazing liquid gold we all love!

These are my top tips for how to soften honey that has crystallized…

How to Soften Honey That Has Hardened

Can You Use Honey That Has Hardened?

Yep… you sure can! Honey is one of the few foods that can last and last and last! As long as it has been stored properly and kept sealed, hardened honey is fine to eat… you’ll just likely want to soften it first.

In my experience, honey will crystallize faster when it’s cold, so always store it at room temperature or in a warm spot in your home.

How Do You Soften Honey That Has Hardened?

Well… there are two simple methods for how to soften honey when it hardens:

• The Hot Water Bath Method on the Stove {my favorite method}
• The Microwave Method {when you just don’t have much time}

How Do You Fix Crystallized Honey in Plastic?

I usually buy my honey in bulk at Sam’s Club in large plastic containers, but over time it can begin to harden and crystallize.

If your honey comes in a plastic container like mine does, you’re probably wondering… ‘How do you remove hardened honey?’ Well, if you can’t easily get down into the container to get it out, you may just want to cut off the top of the container with a sharp knife or scissors first. Then, from there you’ll want to scoop out the crystallized honey, and transfer it to glass jars.

So are you ready to soften your honey? Here are my two favorite methods that work like a charm…

How to Soften Honey in Glass Jar {Hot Water Bath Method} – *Preferred Method*:

1. First, transfer your honey to a glass jar.
2. Then fill a bowl with very HOT water and place your honey in the bowl. Or you can boil water in a small saucepan, remove from the heat, and then place your honey in the saucepan. Just make sure that the water level is high enough around the jar, but not overflowing into the jar.
3. Now… you’ll just need to be patient and wait. The time it takes to soften the honey will just depend on the size of your jar and how crystallized your honey was to start with. If needed, you can always toss the water and replace again with hot water after awhile to keep the process moving.
4. Once your honey has softened, wipe down the outside of the jar, add a lid to your jar, place it back in the cupboard, and it will be good to go the next time you need it!

How to Soften Honey in Microwave – *Backup Method*:

Now, if you just don’t have time, and need your honey for a recipe right away, the microwave is your backup plan. This isn’t something I would recommend to do regularly, as heating your honey in the microwave can destroy a lot of its health benefits, but in a pinch it definitely works and will still taste fine.

1. First, transfer your honey to a microwave safe glass jar.
2. Then, place it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir the honey, and if it is still hard, microwave again for an additional 15 seconds. Be very careful to NOT let it come to a boil. Stir again, and if needed, add an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring each time until your honey is soft and completely liquid.
3. Carefully remove the jar from the microwave… place on a dish towel or cloth hot pad on the counter, and let it come to room temperature for a minimum of 1 hour before using.
4. Once it has cooled to room temperature, it will be ready for you to use in your recipe.

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