Hummus: the smooth recipe for the popular Middle Eastern dip

The hummus is a healthy, smooth and creamy Lebanese dip recipe you can also serve as a spread. This typical Middle Eastern is made of boiled chickpeas, tahini paste, garlic, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and seasoned with paprika. Super quick and easy to make, you just need a food processor to blend all ingredients together until fluffy.

Versatile and naturally vegan, you can serve hummus warm or cold as it adapts to all kind of dishes. It is perfect as a dip served with raw vegetables, or spread on homemade pita bread, or sandwiches. You can even use it as a marinade or curry base for meat dishes.

For this hummus recipe, we prepared homemade tahini by blending sesame seeds, mild vegetable oil and salt. If you don't have time, you can also use a store-bought tahini. So let’s find out how to make this classic version hummus recipe by following our step-by-step recipe.

What is Hummus?

Hummus is a lusciously creamy Middle Eastern dip or spread made of cooked chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. Probably imported from Greece, you find it in many variations nowadays. Healthy and quick to make, this homemade hummus recipe is more delicious than any store-bought one.

Smooth Hummus Ingredients

Each hummus ingredient gives a new flavor that balances perfectly with the others.

Chickpeas – this is the main ingredients for making hummus. If you use dried chickpeas, make sure to soak them in water ahead of time, then cook and peel them if you want a super velvety texture for your dish. You can also use canned chickpeas.

Tahini – it is a tangy, nutty paste made of sesame seeds, vegetable oil and salt. You can make it on your own as we did or use a store-bought one such as Trader Joe's.

Lemon juice – adds a zesty kick to the recipe. Squeeze it yourself.

Garlic – it is perfect to add a bit more flavor. For a caramelized taste, add an extra clove.

Salt – it enhances all flavors.

Extra virgin olive oil – it helps hummus turn out even more delicious. Add a drizzle of olive oil just before serving.

Water – add a tablespoon of cold water at a time just to make your hummus creamy enough. You can add some more as needed, but be sure not to overdo it or it will become too liquid.

Paprika – sprinkle a little paprika powder on top of your hummus to give a unique flavor kick to the dish.

How to make Hummus from Scratch

Making a classic hummus recipe from scratch is easier than you may think. In our recipe, we show you first how to make tahini at home by mixing toasted sesame seeds, oil and salt. You can make it with a food processor or a classic mortar.

Once you have made the tahini, you can proceed with preparing the dip. The secret to making a tasty, creamy hummus lies in using a food processor. Add all the ingredients and then blend everything together. Some say it is best to add the tahini and lemon juice first, but whatever order you follow, your hummus will be delicious, and fluffy.

Make sure to add a tablespoon of water at a time to make it velvety. Finally, garnish hummus with paprika and serve.

Can you make Hummus without Tahini?

Yes! Hummus recipes usually call for tahini as main ingredients, but you can also make hummus without tahini. Leave it out and add a bit more olive oil. Another option is to replace tahini with a nut butter.

What to serve with Hummus

You can serve hummus warm or cold with your favorite dishes. Use it as a dip with raw vegetables, crackers or crostini. Place it on a charcuterie and cheese board together with your favorite dipping sauce such as baba ganoush, or tzatziki.

You can use hummus as a spread on a sandwich, pita wedge or wrap. Hummus also pairs perfectly with grilled meat.

Hummus Variations

For a spicier hummus, add in 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin or coriander.

It is possibile to give new flavors to this traditional homemade recipe by adding toppings such as roasted red pepper, pesto or roasted garlic.

You can vary the recipe by replacing chickpeas with black beans, with pumpkin, or with beets.

You can also prepare hummus with aromatic herbs or with seafood sauté.

Tips for making the Best Hummus

You can replace cold water with aquafaba, which is the liquid of chickpeas.

You can garnish your hummus with toasted seed mix, thyme leaves, or chopped pistachios.

How to store Homemade Hummus

The chickpea hummus can be stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight glass jar, for 2-3 days. It is also possible to freeze it.

How to make Hummus

Making Tahini in a Food Processor

For the tahini sauce, toast the sesame seeds in a non-stick pan for 2 minutes.

Pour the toasted sesame seeds into a stand mixer. Add a pinch of coarse salt and blend until you get a homogeneous mixture.

Pour in the seed oil and continue to blend.

You will need to get a smooth and creamy mixture.

Making Tahini in a Mortar

You can also prepare the tahini sauce with the mortar. Just pour the toasted sesame seeds into the mortar.

Add the coarse salt.

Crush the sesame seeds with the pestle.

You will need to get a homogeneous mixture.

Pour in the seed oil and continue to mix everything.

When finished, you will need to get a creamy mixture.

Making Hummus

Pour the cooked chickpeas into a stand mixer.

Add a clove of garlic.

Combine a tablespoon of lemon juice.

Pour a generous tablespoon of tahini and blend. If necessary, add a tablespoon of cold water at a time.

Transfer the hummus to a small bowl and garnish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle it with sweet paprika. Serve and enjoy!