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How to Soften Honey That Has Hardened! (Easy Trick)

December 19, 2021 By Heidi 42 Comments

I may get paid for ads or purchases made through links in this post.

There’s no need to toss hardened honey once you know How to Soften Honey.

Trust me… this simple kitchen hack so much easier than you think!

How to Soften Honey That Has Hardened

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

Marshall writes: "This is tip is very useful!"

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…

Related: Genius Kitchen Tips and Tricks

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, here’s an idea. 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.

I usually use 8 oz. wide mouth mason 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*:

Here’s what you’ll do…

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 a while 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!

See… I told you this was going to be EASY!

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.

3. 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.

4. Stir again, and if needed, add an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring each time until your honey is soft and completely liquid.

5. 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.

6. Once it has cooled to room temperature, it will be ready for you to use in your recipe.

That’s it. Easy peasy!

How to Soften Honey

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So have you tried this trick for How to Soften Honey That Has Hardened?

Leave a comment and share…

Filed Under: Kitchen Tips

Comments

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    • Chelsea says

      May 6, 2022 at 12:47 am

      Such great tips! Thank you for sharing. I will definitely try next time.

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        May 6, 2022 at 4:12 pm

        You’re very welcome! It really is so easy to soften the honey back up! 🙂

        Reply
    • Margot says

      December 30, 2021 at 8:30 am

      Such an useful tip.
      Thanks you so much for sharing it.
      xx
      Margot
      https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 30, 2021 at 12:08 pm

        You’re very welcome, Margot… I’m so glad you liked the tip! 🙂

        Reply
    • 2pots2cook says

      December 30, 2021 at 3:20 am

      Thank you, thank you !!! So important tip ! I wish you and your family to have a happy and healthy 2022. !

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 30, 2021 at 12:08 pm

        Aww… thank you so much! Happy New Year! 🙂

        Reply
    • Marisa Cavaleiro says

      December 24, 2021 at 1:58 pm

      Great tip! Thanks for sharing!
      I wish you a happy holidays!
      Hugs from Portugal

      marisasclosetblog.com

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 26, 2021 at 8:59 am

        Thank you so much, Marisa!

        Reply
    • Josiah - DIY Thrill says

      December 23, 2021 at 12:38 pm

      This trick to soften honey is genius, I’ll definitely be giving this a try. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 23, 2021 at 4:35 pm

        You’re very welcome… I’m so glad you found the tip helpful! 🙂

        Reply
    • Allie Mackin says

      December 22, 2021 at 6:39 pm

      Wow I would not have thought of this, thanks for sharing this!

      Allie of
      http://www.allienyc.com

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 22, 2021 at 6:39 pm

        You’re very welcome, Allie!

        Reply
    • Caleb - Never Ending Journeys says

      December 22, 2021 at 10:24 am

      This is such a brilliant idea, thanks so much for sharing! These two tricks are so useful.

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 22, 2021 at 3:02 pm

        Aww… thank you! I’m so glad you liked the tips! 🙂

        Reply
    • Miki says

      December 22, 2021 at 1:02 am

      I love honey too! Thank you so much for so many tips!

      Happy Holiday

      xoxo,
      Miki
      MikiEsme.com

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 22, 2021 at 9:38 am

        You’re very welcome, and I’m so glad you’re enjoying the tips!

        Reply
    • Lovely says

      December 21, 2021 at 11:41 pm

      Thanks for sharing these hacks. Have a great day!
      xoxo
      Lovely
      http://www.mynameislovely.com

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 22, 2021 at 9:38 am

        You’re very welcome, Lovely!

        Reply
    • Lisa says

      December 21, 2021 at 10:49 am

      I hadn’t realised how easy it was so soften honey once it had crystallised – thank you, Heidi, that’s saved me tossing out about 3 jars at the back of our cupboard 🙂

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 10:59 am

        You’re very welcome, Lisa… I’m so glad I could help!

        Reply
    • Healthy World Cuisine says

      December 21, 2021 at 8:58 am

      Great tips here! Lots of baking goin on at the moment and using up the last bits of this and that. Will remember these easy honey hints.

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 9:34 am

        That’s wonderful… and have fun baking this week!

        Reply
    • Kirsi says

      December 21, 2021 at 8:55 am

      Dear Heidi,
      your Tips are so helpful 😉 I wish you a merry, merry Christmas, have nice and peacful days with your family,
      greetings
      Kirsi

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 9:33 am

        Aww… thank you, Kirsi! I’m so glad you’re finding the kitchen tips helpful, and I hope you have a lovely Christmas as well!

        Reply
    • somewhereinireland says

      December 21, 2021 at 8:30 am

      Lots of good tips, thanks for sharing them.

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 8:54 am

        You’re very welcome… I’m so glad you’re enjoying the kitchen tips! 🙂

        Reply
    • Veronica Lee says

      December 21, 2021 at 6:55 am

      Thanks for the tips, Heidi.

      I guess I can use these handy tips for maltose too.

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 8:55 am

        I honestly haven’t tried, Veronica… but if you do, let me know how it goes!

        Reply
    • Val says

      December 21, 2021 at 5:56 am

      Good to know these handy tips! Honey never lasts long enough in our house to harden. It is such a healthy, sweet treat.

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 8:57 am

        Isn’t it such a wonderful treat? I’ve been a big fan of honey my entire life! 🙂

        Reply
    • Irma says

      December 21, 2021 at 1:49 am

      What a great tip from the honey.
      I don’t use honey but my husband does.
      Baking cookies that I never do.
      Greetings Irma

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 8:58 am

        I’m so glad you liked the tip, Irma… hopefully your husband can put it to good use.

        Reply
    • Pilar says

      December 20, 2021 at 9:06 pm

      Great tips! Now I know what to do if honey starts to harden. Happy Holidays!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 8:58 am

        Thank you so much, Pilar!

        Reply
    • Her Digital Coffee says

      December 20, 2021 at 7:09 pm

      I tend to always run into this issue and I’m so thankful for this easy tip! I just opened a new container of honey and I’m going to store it in a glass jar asap. It’ll be so much easier to reheat than getting it out of the plastic later. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 9:00 am

        You’re very welcome! And yes… storing it in a glass jar really does make the process so much easier later on when you need to soften it back up. 🙂

        Reply
    • Christine says

      December 20, 2021 at 6:29 pm

      Great tip thanks!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 9:01 am

        You’re very welcome, Christine!

        Reply
    • Kathrine Eldridge says

      December 20, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      Thanks for sharing these hacks! I have thrown honey away before because of the hardening.

      https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 9:01 am

        I had in the past too, Kathrine… but now we’ll never need to again! 🙂

        Reply
    • Black Knight says

      December 20, 2021 at 5:04 am

      Thanks for the tips. Honey is an important part of my daily diet. Have a good week.

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        December 21, 2021 at 9:02 am

        Nothing beats the sweet taste of honey. 🙂 I hope you have a fantastic week as well!

        Reply

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    About Heidi Picture
    Hi, I'm Heidi... I'm so glad you're here! I'm the Frugal Girl living here in sunny AZ with my hubby, and love sharing Easy Recipes & Frugal Living Tips!
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