Classic Hummus Recipe (2024)

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Classic Hummus is one of the most popular protein-packed cold appetizer dips. This chickpea dip is so easy, all you have to do it blend the ingredients until they’re smooth, and you have a crowd-pleasing homemade dip! Made with traditional ingredients like tahini and chickpeas, this hummus recipe is simple, yet irresistible.

Classic Hummus Recipe (1)

Hummus

Fad foods come and go, and just a few years ago, hummus was all the rage! While most fad foods have their moment then take a backseat for other hot new items to take the wheel, hummus hasn’t lost any popularity over time. If anything, it seems as if hummus is more popular than ever before, and for good reason. It’s a classic, delicious dip that’s always a treat.

I don’t think hummus is going anywhere any time soon. It’s proven to have a longstanding impact on parties and potlucks all over the world! And as easy as it is to buy a container of hummus and serve it for your guests, you’re really robbing yourself of the delights of homemade hummus. This recipe is incredibly easy and always tastier than store-bought hummus.

This simple hummus recipe always makes the creamiest, freshest hummus that has a light nutty taste and a mouthwatering hint of tangy lemon juice. There are plenty of variations on classic hummus that are also delicious, like my Roasted Garlic and Dill Hummus, but I always find myself going back to this classic recipe when preparing for guests. It’s a simple dip that I know everyone will love!

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Where did hummus originate?

Hummus is a traditional Middle Eastern spread/dip with a long history. However, interestingly enough, the first origins of hummus can be traced all the way back to 13th century Egypt. That’s why hummus will never just be a fad – it’s lasted centuries in countries all over the world!

What are the health benefits of hummus?

The key ingredient of hummus is chickpeas, of course, and chickpeas have a ton of amazing health benefits.

Chickpeas are high in protein, fiber, vitamin B, and potassium and still only a moderate amount of calories. Because of the amount of protein and fiber, this dip will help fill you up faster and keep you full longer. Come to think of it, this may be the only dip at parties that you actually benefit from by eating it!

Ingredients in This Hummus Recipe

This is a no-frills recipe that only uses the essential ingredients for classic, easy, and delicious homemade hummus.

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  • Chickpeas – Just one can of chickpeas is all you need for this simple recipe. No matter which brand of chickpeas you buy, be sure to strain them before using but save some of the liquid.
  • Chickpea Juices – When straining the chickpeas, reserve approximately 1/2 cup of the liquid. It’s much better to use it than adding water..
  • Lemon Juice – This recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, so you’ll need at least 2 lemons to squeeze. Avoid using the store-bough lemon juices, as they typically have a noticeably artificial taste.
  • Tahini – This classic Middle Eastern sesame paste provides a deep earthy flavor to the recipe that really helps to elevate and enhance the natural, authentic flavors of the hummus.
  • Garlic Cloves – In this hummus recipe, the garlic should just be a light hint that compliments the other flavors. Avoid adding too much fresh garlic and if you like more garlic flavor, add some roasted garlic instead.
  • Olive Oil – Use good quality olive oil but taste it first to make sure it’s not too bitter.
  • Ground Cumin – This is yet another earthy ingredient that adds to the overall warmness of the hummus that we’re aiming for.
  • Salt – Just a little of salt is needed to help enhance the other ingredients in this hummus and make it truly mouthwatering. However, if you want to keep this hummus low-sodium, omit the salt entirely.
  • Paprika – No classic hummus would ever be complete without a dash of vibrant red paprika across the top! Paprika provides a delicately sweet flavor that balances well with the warmer, earthier ingredients.

What is tahini and how to use it?

Tahini is a paste made out of roasted sesame seeds. It taste quite mind but you definitely will taste its presence. It’s a Middle Eastern ingredient that’s used in many popular dishes!

If you have tahini left over, put it to good use. You can use tahini on top of many Middle Eastern recipes like gyros, falafel, baba ghanoush. You can also mix it into sesame salad dressing and so many different sauces. If you haven’t tried chocolate brownies with tahini swirled into the top, you’re definitely missing out!

How to Make Hummus

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Start by straining the liquid from the can of chickpeas, and remember to reserve 1/2 of the liquid.

Toss all of the ingredients for hummus, except for the paprika, into a food processor or blender.

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Blend the ingredient until you have a completely smooth finished product. You do not want ANY lumps in the hummus!

Once thoroughly blended, transfer the homemade hummus into your favorite serving bowl. Top it off with a drizzle of olive oil, paprika, and even some fresh herbs. Enjoy!

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More Easy Dip Recipes:

French Onion Dip – a classic party appetizer that is creamy, cheesy, and slightly sweet from the abundance of caramelized onions.

Smoked Salmon Dip – a creamy dip that has a prominent smoked salmon flavor with compliments of lemon, fresh dill weed, capers, and chives.

Queso Blanco Dip with Chorizo – zesty and smooth Queso Blanco made with sauteed chorizo sausage, peppers, and onions.

Cajun Shrimp Dip – loads of shrimp, bacon, cheese, veggies, and Cajun spices all combined into a spicy hot dip.

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Classic Hummus

Hummus is a delicious and healthy dip made with chickpeas, tahini paste, olive oil, and flavored with fresh lemon juice, garlic, and simple seasoning.

5 from 8 votes

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Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 212kcal

Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 16 oz can of chickpeas
  • 1/2 cup cup chickpea juices from the can
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1.5-2 lemons
  • 1/3 cup tahini
  • 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2-1 tsp salt
  • dash paprika for topping

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Strain the liquid off from the can of chickpeas but leave 1/4 of the cup liquid for the hummus.

  • Combine all the ingredients, except the paprika, in the blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth.

  • Transfer hummus into a bowl and top it off with a drizzle of some olive oil and dash of paprika

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles

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Classic Hummus Recipe (10)

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

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Classic Hummus Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional hummus made of? ›

Hummus, that creamy dip that hails from the Middle East, has a reputation as a clean, healthy food. It deserves it. All the main ingredients are super foods in their own right. It's got chickpeas, sesame paste (tahini), garlic, and olive oil in most traditional versions.

How do you make classic hummus taste better? ›

Next, enhance the blank slate of flavor with a few squeezes of lemon juice, a sprinkling of garlic salt, a turn of freshly cracked pepper, a heavy-handed sprinkle of paprika, and a generous drizzle of your nicest olive oil. Bonus points if you have an herby olive oil on hand with a little color to it.

What can I use instead of tahini in hummus? ›

If you feel adventurous, try replacing the tahini with an equal amount of peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, Greek yogurt, chopped roasted peppers, pitted olives, roasted beets, steamed sweet potato, avocado, or thawed frozen peas, to name just a few possibilities.

Why is homemade hummus not creamy? ›

You might need more tahini, garlic, lemon and/or salt and very likely more chickpea water. Add a bit of each as you need, the recipe explains. "Blitz the hummus until very smooth, a few minutes at least. Don't worry about the hummus being too loose; it will thicken as it sits."

Is it OK to eat hummus everyday? ›

Hummus is a truly nutritious snack that is good to include in your daily diet in moderation and when combined with a diverse range of food. Hummus can be a part of the daily diet if consumed in moderation, and the rest of the diet contains a diverse range of foods.

Is hummus an anti inflammatory? ›

Hummus is packed with healthy ingredients that may help reduce chronic inflammation. Olive oil is one of them. It's rich in powerful antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory benefits.

Why is my homemade hummus tasteless? ›

You're Not Using Enough/The Right Tahini

The one ingredient that gives hummus its undeniable richness, depth of flavor, and subtle nuttiness is tahini. This means that the final product depends on the amount of tahini that you add and the brand of tahini that you're using.

Why does my homemade hummus taste bland? ›

Sometimes just an extra pinch of salt can transform a bland hummus into a terrific hummus where all the flavors come together perfectly.

Why do you put baking soda in hummus? ›

To make an exceptionally creamy hummus you need to remove the skins from the chic peas. Those skins are held in place by pectin which is acidic. Baking soda (alkaline) neutralizes the pectin enabling the skins to fall off the peas and float to the surface of the simmering water by the tens of thousands.

Why is my homemade hummus bitter? ›

As I said earlier, tahini has a mildly bitter flavour, so if your hummus is bitter, you've most likely added too much tahini. Also make sure that the tahini you do have is hulled, as opposed to unhulled. Hulled tahini just means that the bitter husks on the outside of the sesame seed have been removed before blending.

How Long Will homemade hummus last? ›

Homemade varieties will generally last anywhere from 3-4 days, whereas store-bought brands generally lasts 6-7 days after opening. These estimates assume that it maintains a refrigerated temperature; as we mentioned already, the shelf life of hummus is diminished greatly if it does not remain chilled.

Is it cheaper to make hummus? ›

Hummus is cheaper and more delicious when it's homemade—and you don't need a recipe (or chickpeas!) to make it. All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. I've bought too many tubs of sub-par hummus and I've decided it's time to stop.

Why put ice cubes in hummus? ›

Two elements you need for food that's meant to be fluffy and creamy are air and moisture. Ice cubes do both jobs by whipping air into the mixture while adding a touch more moisture to ensure ultra-creamy hummus.

Why is restaurant hummus so creamy? ›

Tahini is sesame butter, and to make creamy hummus, the secret is to first turn that into sesame cream! To do that, you need to emulsify the tahini in a water based liquid first. This will not happen if you just put everything into a food processor all at once!'

What is the difference between Greek hummus and Lebanese hummus? ›

However, there are differences; these countries would serve different traditional food with their hummus recipes, and would tend towards making their hummus with local ingredients—i.e., a Greek hummus would likely use Greek olive oil and chickpeas, whereas a Lebanese hummus would use ingredients sourced closer to ...

Was hummus made by Jews? ›

Although, hummus has traditionally been part of the cuisine of the Mizrahi Jews who lived in Arabic-speaking lands, the dish was also popularized among the Jewish immigrants from Europe in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Is authentic hummus healthy? ›

Traditional hummus is made from a blend of chickpeas, olive oil, tahini (sesame paste), lemon juice and spices, and this mix makes for a nutrient-dense food, says Elizabeth G. Matteo, a registered dietitian at Boston University's Sargent Choice Nutrition Center.

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