Hummus
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Smooth and creamy with just the right balance of tahini, lemon, and garlic, this is my go-to hummus recipe—without any soaking, peeling, or other fussy steps.
I first traveled to Israel in college, and I’ve been lucky enough to return a few times since. Hummus is practically its own food group there, and on one of my trips, I was fortunate enough to learn this recipe from a kabob maker in the Old City of Jerusalem. It’s been my go-to ever since.
A staple throughout the Middle East, hummus is a simple blend of chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic, but getting the texture and balance just right makes all the difference. Many recipes call for starting with dried chickpeas or peeling them one by one, but after trying those methods myself, I don’t think the extra work is necessary. Canned chickpeas and a few minutes in the food processor give you wonderfully smooth, creamy hummus with a fraction of the effort.
“This hummus recipe is FANTASTIC — the best I have ever had — and also ridiculously easy to make. No more store-bought hummus for me!”
What You’ll Need To Make Hummus
- Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas make this recipe quick and easy, and after experimenting with dried chickpeas, I’ve found the difference in the finished hummus is minimal. Be sure to reserve some of the liquid from the can—you’ll use it to adjust the consistency. If you prefer to start with dried chickpeas, cook them until very tender and use some of the cooking liquid in place of the reserved canning liquid.
- Tahini: This sesame paste gives hummus its distinctive nutty flavor and creamy texture. Tahini naturally separates in the jar, so give it a good stir before measuring.
- Fresh lemon juice: Adds brightness and acidity, balancing the richness of the tahini and olive oil. Freshly squeezed makes a noticeable difference here.
- Garlic: A small amount goes a long way in hummus. Since it’s added raw, its flavor will be quite pronounced, so I wouldn’t be tempted to add extra.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps give the hummus a smooth, luscious texture. I also like to drizzle a little over the top for serving.
- Cumin & cayenne: Cumin adds earthy warmth, while a pinch of cayenne gives the hummus a subtle kick without making it spicy.
- Paprika: Adds a pop of color and a subtle, smoky flavor. If you’re looking to switch things up, try sumac or za’atar instead. Sumac is a tangy, lemony spice; za’atar is a spice blend that typically includes thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and salt.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
How To Make Hummus
Drain the chickpeas, then combine them in a food processor with the remaining ingredients and process until smooth and creamy. Let the machine run for several minutes—the extra processing time makes a noticeable difference in the texture.
No food processor? A high-powered blender works well, though you may need a little extra chickpea liquid to keep everything moving.
Spoon the hummus into a serving bowl and use the back of a spoon to make a few swirls on top. Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with a few chickpeas and a sprinkle of paprika or fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Once you’ve got the classic down, try my roasted red pepper hummus—it’s just as easy and adds a sweet, smoky twist to the original.
Hummus
Ingredients
- 2 (15½ oz) cans chickpeas
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 2 lemons
- ¼ cup sesame tahini, well stirred (preferably Joyva Sesame Tahini)
- 2 small cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- Heaping ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley, for serving (optional)
- Paprika for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Reserving the liquid from the cans, drain the chickpeas in a colander (no need to rinse them). Set a few chickpeas aside for garnishing the hummus.
- In the bowl of a food processor fitted with metal blade, combine the chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, olive oil, and ⅓ cup of the reserved canning liquid. Process for several minutes until smooth and creamy. The hummus should hold its shape when you drag a spoon through it; add more liquid and process again if it seems too thick. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
- Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to swirl a shallow well in the center. Drizzle a little olive oil in the well; sprinkle with parsley and paprika, then garnish with the reserved chickpeas. Serve at room temperature with pita bread, pita chips or crudités.
Notes
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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Very good hummus – never realized how easy it was to make at home! No more store bought hummus for us!!
I have made this hummus dozens of times and always get compliments. It is the perfect blend of tahini, cumin, and lemon juice! There is always some in my refrigerator as it lasts and is so easy to make. Thank you!
Jenn, I notice quite a few of your recipes call for a food processor. Can a blender do processor duty? I have a blender but I would go out and buy a food processor if you think it would be worth it.
Hi Duffy, For some recipes it can, but usually not. I do use my food processor all the time so I think it’s worth the investment :).
Okay thanks! Looking forward to trying one out. This hummus recipe looks like a great starter?
Hi Jenn,
I’m not a Tahini fan. Do you have any substitute suggestions?
Thanks,
Diana
Diana, you could substitute with any nut butter like peanut, almond or cashew butter.
One tip for shelling chickpeas quickly: place all the chickpeas together in a deep mixing bowl and fill with water. Scoop up handfuls of chickpeas and rub gently between your palms, dropping them back in the water as you go. The shells will fall off and float on the surface. Pour off some of the water with the shells, then repeat the process a couple of times, refilling with water as needed to separate the shells from the chickpeas. You won’t get every shell, but you’ll get most of them. I do think the shelling makes a difference.
Perfection! Love this recipe! I did 1 1/2 of this recipe and made 2 versions– original and then I added in some pesto to the second batch. I don’t think I will ever buy store-bought again!
This is my go-to recipe for hummus. I make it once a week and it doesn’t last long. There’s been discussion on dried vs. canned chickpeas and the difference in the different canned versions with respect to texture. There aren’t organic chickpeas at my local store and I’ve found that the Goya brand creates the creamiest result in my opinion. If others have found better, please pass it along!
Why are these cooks “BUYING” Chic Peas?
The dried are so easy to cook & those of you buying the canned packed in Who Knows What kind of Water would never, ever buy a can of Chic Peas/Garbanzo Beans again.
My family & I love this recipe as do my neighbors & always assign me Hummus for a get togather.
Thank you ever so much Jen.
Can you please tell me how long this recipe can keep in the fridge? I’m preparing this for a wedding appetizer and want to make it ahead of time.
Hi Marcy, it should keep well for 3 to 4 days.
Hi Jenn, how long will the hummus stay in the fridge? Thank you!
By the way, I can’t say enough good things about your recipes! I make them all of the time and they are all off the charts delicious. ? Thanks for making such delicious recipes!