Learn how to make hummus at home ... this foolproof recipe is easy, delicious, and sooo much better than the store bought stuff!
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Do you love hummus? Of course you do. Who doesn't, really?
It's been a favorite dip of mine for longer than I can remember. And although it's available in almost every grocery store, I prefer to make it from scratch.
If you haven't made it at home yet, then I'm here to help. I've detailed everything you ever wanted to know about how to make hummus from scratch and more!
This versatile chickpea dip couldn't be easier to prepare, and I'm showing you how to do it, step-by-step. There's even a video so you can see the process in action!
Hummus is one of those snacks that pretty much everyone and their mother adores. It's super scrumptious, plus it's healthy, naturally vegan, and gluten free. What's not to love, really?
You can find this yummy chickpea dip in almost any grocery store. So why would you want to make hummus from scratch. For a few reasons!
- First of all, this foolproof hummus takes 10 minutes (max) to make at home. It really is so easy.
- Second, the ingredients needed are minimal, and there are no yucky preservatives.
- Third, store bought hummus can be pricey, but it's relatively cheap to make from scratch.
- And most importantly, homemade hummus tastes better than anything you can buy at the store!
Have I convinced you to make your own hummus yet? Then, keep reading for my authentic Hummus recipe. Once you try it, you'll never buy hummus again!
I'm also sharing tips for creating the creamiest hummus, making hummus without tahini or without a food processor, and tons of ideas for what to eat hummus with.
Ingredients
The best thing about making this favorite chickpea dip at home is that the ingredients are so simple and healthy. Plus, you should be able to find everything in most grocery store.
Here's what you'll need:
- Fresh Garlic (no powders or jarred stuff)
- Chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans)
- Tahini
- Fresh Lemon Juice (skip the bottled junk)
- Salt (I prefer kosher salt.)
The only ingredient you may have trouble finding is tahini, which is a sesame seed paste. Tahini is what makes hummus taste like hummus though, so do try to track it down. Luckily, it's easy to buy tahini online if you can't find it locally.
Can't find or don't want to use tahini? I've included directions for how to make hummus without tahini, too.
You'll also need a food processor although a powerful blender (like a Vitamix) may work in a pinch. And a good spatula is super helpful. This silicone spatula is my fave!
How to Make Hummus from Scratch
So let's talk about how to make hummus. It really couldn't be easier!
The most important things are to use good quality, fresh ingredients and to take your time blending it.
Here are the basic steps:
- Pulse a garlic clove in a food processor until minced.
- Add a can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed), along with tahini, lemon juice, and salt, to the garlic.
- Process everything until it's super smooth, stopping to give it a stir or two with a spatula along the way.
- Taste, adjust seasoning, and enjoy!
Tips for Making the BEST Hummus
That's really all there is to making classic hummus.
Simple, right? Homemade hummus is actually pretty foolproof. It's truly hard to screw up, but here are a few tricks to perfect the recipe:
- If your dip is too thick and won't blend, add a little water (or reserve the liquid from the canned chickpeas and use that). Usually a tablespoon or two is all it takes to get things moving.
- Good seasoning is essential. Always taste before serving and add more salt, if necessary. The amount of salt you will need will depend on your taste buds, as well as other factors (whether your beans are canned with or without salt, for example).
- Is the flavor still flat? Add a little extra lemon juice to perk things up.
How to Make Hummus Creamy
I've read all sorts of hacks for making creamy hummus. Some recipes recommend cooking the chickpeas from scratch (dried). I've also seen recipes that recommend removing the outer peel from the chickpeas. Others recommend whipping the tahini before adding it to the food processor.
Personally, I do not have time for any of that madness! Do you?
Luckily, the key to creamy hummus is quite simple. All you need to do is to blend the chickpea dip in your food processor for at least two to three minutes. Even after you think the hummus is totally smooth, keep going. Then, keep going some more.
The extra time spent processing the dip will make it extra smooth, creamy, and light. No special tricks required.
How to Make Hummus without Tahini
I'm going to be totally honest here: hummus without tahini is really just garbanzo bean dip. Tahini is a key ingredient. It just is, there's no getting around it.
But I get that tahini can be expensive. If that's a concern, keep in mind that you can make lots of hummus from one container of tahini ... usually making it cheaper than store bought varieties in the end. Check your local Middle Eastern / Mediterranean food stores, because they often have more variety and better prices than regular grocery stores. The 365 brand at Whole Foods is also very reasonably priced. If you can't find tahini in your local store, then you can order tahini online instead.
Want to make it without tahini anyway? I recommend substituting extra virgin olive oil and a little cumin for the tahini (see the recipe card below for proportions). The resulting dip won't taste exactly like authentic hummus, but it will still be delicious.
You can also experiment by replacing the tahini with sesame oil (which will replicate some of tahini's sesame flavor) or with another kind of nut butter.
How to Make Hummus without a Food Processor
It's possible to make hummus in a blender. It's just going to take a little more work and patience, especially if you don't have a high-power one, like a Vitamix.
Start by mincing the garlic (either by hand or with a press). Then, add the minced garlic and all the other hummus ingredients to the blender. Puree everything, stopping frequently to mix with a spatula.
You'll need to take your time to make sure everything gets well-blended, and you may have to add extra water (or chickpea liquid) to get things going ... which may result in a thinner dip. It should be just as delicious in the end, though perhaps not quite as smooth and creamy.
What to Eat with Hummus
Now we're getting to the best part ... what is good to eat with hummus?
I like to dip in pretty much anything and everything. Here are some of my favorites:
- Pita Chips ... try my easy Homemade Pita Chips recipe!
- Sliced Bell Peppers (use a colorful mix for a pretty display)
- Grape Tomatoes
- Carrot Sticks
- Cucumber Sticks or Slices (look for English cucumbers which have fewer seeds)
- Cauliflower or Broccoli Florets
- Celery Sticks
- Radishes
- Snap or Snow Peas
- Roasted Vegetables
- Grilled Vegetables
- Pita Bread (heat it in your toaster to make it extra delicious)
- Crackers ... try my Herb Parmesan Crackers!
- Pretzels (twists, rods / sticks, and crisps are all delish)
- Bagel Chips
- Tortilla Chips
You get the idea ... pretty much anything can be dipped in hummus!
It's also possible to use this versatile dip in other recipes. I love it in sandwiches and wraps, like my Hummus Sandwich with Pesto and Veggies. It's also a tasty addition to bowl meals with grains and other fresh ingredients ... try this Roasted Veggie Bowl or this Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl. Or spread it on pita or flatbread and top with veggies for fun twist on pizza.
However you eat it, you are sure to LOVE this simple recipe!
Flavored Hummus Recipes
Once you master this basic hummus dip, change up the flavors by adding other ingredients!
Trying introducing spices (like cumin, chili powder, or curry), blending in your fave veggies (artichokes would be delish), or even substituting different beans for the chickpeas (try black or white beans to start).
Here are my favorite variations on the classic to inspire you:
- Sun Dried Tomato Hummus
- Southwest Hummus with Spicy Corn Relish
- Layered Greek Hummus Dip
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
- Easy Olive Hummus
- Roasted Garlic Hummus
- Spicy Chipotle Hummus
- Black Bean Hummus
Let me know if you try making hummus from scratch, or if you make one of my other hummus recipes.
I'd love to know what you think!
What is your favorite kind of hummus?
How to Make Hummus
Ingredients
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup tahini
- half a lemon, juiced
- salt, to taste
For Serving:
- extra virgin olive oil, optional
- paprika, optional
- veggies, such as cucumbers, peppers, carrots, grape tomatoes, etc.
- pita bread, pita chips, and/or crackers
Instructions
- Pulse garlic clove in a food processor until minced.
- Scrape down sides of food processor, then add chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Blend until totally smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. If needed, add a little water (or liquid from canned chickpeas) to thin the hummus out.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and/or lemon juice, if desired. Transfer hummus to a bowl, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika (optional).
- Serve with veggies, pita bread, pita chips, and/or crackers. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
