• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Unicorns in the Kitchen

Easy family approved recipes from our Kitchen to yours. Persian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes made easy with fresh ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • E-cookbooks
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • E-cookbooks
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • E-cookbooks
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
  • ×

    Home » Mediterranean recipes

    Easy Homemade Hummus Recipe

    Published: May 3, 2021 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    760 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This is the ultimate homemade hummus recipe. It’s smooth and creamy with a bright flavor, and pairs perfectly with bread! Follow along for tip and tricks, a video tutorial and complete details!

    This simple homemade hummus recipe is easy to make. Serve with fresh pita.

    Sometimes, the perfect meal includes a large platter of falafel or beef shawarma with homemade pita bread, pickled turnips, Lebanese garlic sauce and tahini sauce, with a side of tabouli and some delicious homemade hummus. Sounds like a foodie heaven, right? Hummus is a healthy vegan snack that’s packed with protein. You can make a batch and enjoy it through the week.  

    Table Of Contents:
    • All about hummus
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • Canned chickpeas vs cooking from scratch
    • Instructions
    • The texture and consistency
    • Serving suggestion 
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More dip Recipes
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    All about hummus

    One of the basics of Middle Eastern cuisine, hummus (literally meaning "chickpeas") is a common addition to an appetizer spread or as a side with many dishes. These days there are different variations and flavors of this creamy chickpea dip such as harissa, roasted garlic and roasted red pepper. You should check out our loaded hummus, it's so good!

    Hummus is a staple at any Middle Eastern table. Usually paired with pita and other dips such as mutabal, labneh or baba ganoush, this classic chickpea dip is everyone's favorite.

    I’m going to show you how to make the best ever hummus at home that's creamy, velvety and smooth made with simple ingredients. And, making it from scratch is much easier than you think. Make sure to read through for a complete tutorial, notes and tips and a how-to video!

    Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and top with pepper, sumac and crispy chickpeas

    Ingredients and substitutions

    To make homemade hummus, you need chickpeas, sumac, lemon, garlic, tahini, olive oil, Aleppo pepper and salt.
    • Chickpeas: Also known as garbanzo beans, these are the most important part of this recipe. Many recipes call for canned chickpeas, however, I prefer cooking chickpeas from scratch for the perfect hummus. If using canned chickpeas, drain them and boil them for 20 minutes.
    • Tahini: Having a jar of good quality tahini at home is probably one of the basics of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking. You can find tahini at any major supermarket or at your local Middle Eastern shop.
    • Olive oil: Topping the hummus with extra virgin olive oil would add such earthiness and great flavor. Read more about how to choose the right olive oil as it is one of the most important ingredients in Mediterranean diet. 
    • Lemon juice: The juice of half a lemon (or even a full one) gives this dish such great brightness and freshness. It’s best to use fresh lemon juice, but if bottled is what you have at hand now, it’s absolutely fine. 
    • Garlic: You only need a few cloves of garlic for this recipe so it adds a subtle flavor. You can also leave it out if you’re not a fan but I wouldn’t. I don't recommend using jarred minced garlic or garlic powder.

    Canned chickpeas vs cooking from scratch

    There are two different approaches to making hummus:

    1- Using canned chickpeas

    A convenient and quick way to make this dip at home. Using canned chickpeas makes the process simpler and quicker. If you're in a pinch, boil canned chickpeas in some water for about 20 minutes. This will make them more tender and will result in a creamier hummus.

    Some suggest peeling the chickpeas before blending them. I've tried this method and while this approach definitely yields a creamier texture, it’s quite time consuming and involves a lot of hands-on preparation. 

    2- Cooking chickpeas from scratch 

    This method undoubtedly results in the creamiest hummus you’ve ever tasted and requires minimal hands-on time. Chickpeas are soaked in water overnight and then cooked with water and baking soda. The peels float on the surface and you can easily discard them before draining the water. The chickpeas will be exceptionally soft and tender, giving you the smoothest vegan chickpea dip. 

    Instructions

    soak the chickpeas, boil them until tender. Blend with tahini and garlic and water. Drizzle with olive oil.
    1. Soak the chickpeas: Fill a large bowl with cold water. Measure one cup of dry chickpeas and add them to the water. Cover and soak for 12 hours or overnight. Make sure your bowl is large enough since the chickpeas will increase in size when soaked.
    2. Cook the chickpeas: Fill a pot with water and place it on high heat. Once the water comes to a boil, add 1 teaspoon baking soda and the chickpeas. Cook for about 30 minute until the chickpeas are fully cooked and soft. Most of the skins will start floating on the surface, discard them as they come up. Rinse the chickpeas and set them aside to cool. 
    3. Make the hummus: In the bowl of a food processor, place the chickpeas, garlic and tahini. Blend until the chickpeas are coarse, which should take about a minute. Then add some water, salt and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes.
    4. Finishing touches: When your hummus is ready, transfer it to a bowl and swirls a spoon on top to make a shallow well. Drizzle with a generous amount of olive oil and top with some sumac and Aleppo pepper if desired.

    Pro tip: If you like your hummus to be smoother and thinner, add more water one tablespoon at a time and blend again. 

    The texture and consistency

    The perfect hummus should be smooth and spreadable. It shouldn’t be runny and you should be able to leave a mark on it by moving your spoon in swirls. 

    To get to that consistency, 3 tablespoons of water should be enough. But once it’s ready, taste and try it to make sure it has enough salt and lemon juice and check that the consistency is what you’re looking for. 

    The ideal hummus is smooth, creamy and perfectly spreadable.

    Serving suggestion 

    A bowl of homemade hummus is a great addition to a mezze platter alongside some baba ganoush, muhammara, labneh, roasted vegetables and authentic dolma and other appetizers. Serve with some homemade pita chips, or fresh veggies such as cucumbers, cauliflower, carrots and celery. 

    In addition to being a wonderful mezze and snack, hummus can be used as a spread for sandwiches. Simply spread some on a piece of bread such as lavash and then top it with your favorite veggies and protein such as zaatar chicken or garlic chicken for a delicious, healthy sandwich. 

    Did I tell you you can also use it on pizza? Simply spread it on this Mediterranean pizza before adding the toppings!

    It also goes very well with many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes such as shish tawook, beef shish kabob and chicken shawarma as a spread or side dish.  

    A bowl of Middle Eastern hummus topped with crispy chickpeas.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What to do with leftover hummus?

    Hummus keeps well in the fridge for about a week if stored in an airtight container. Give it a nice stir and top with some olive oil to give it a fresh flavor right before serving. 

    Can I freeze hummus? 

    Yes. Transfer it to an airtight container or a freezer bag and seal. Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw and serve, place the frozen hummus container in the fridge overnight to thaw (it might take up to a day). And, right before serving, stir it very well and top with some extra virgin olive oil and sumac.

    My hummus is too thick, what should I do?

    While the chickpeas are still blending, slowly add some water, one tablespoon at a time to get the desired consistency.

    Do I need to peel the chickpeas?

    As I mentioned above, when using canned chickpeas, peeling them would give you creamier hummus, but it's also very time consuming. You can simply boil the chickpeas for 30 minutes and skip peeling.

    Can I use canned chickpeas to make hummus?

    While dry beans give you the creamiest dip, it’s also possible to make hummus with canned beans. It's best to boil canned chickpeas for 15 to 20 minutes prior so they're very tender.

    More dip Recipes

    • Tirokafteri (Greek Spicy Feta Dip)
    • Creamy Whipped Ricotta
    • Persian Yogurt Beet Dip (Borani Laboo)
    • Best Whipped Feta Recipe

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Best Homemade Hummus Recipe

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    This is the ultimate homemade hummus recipe. It’s smooth and creamy with a bright flavor, and pairs perfectly with bread! Follow along for tip and tricks, a video tutorial and complete details!
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Appetizer, Basic
    Cuisine Mediterranean, middle eastern
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 366 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup dry chickpeas
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • ⅓ cup tahini
    • 3 tablespoon cold water
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin

    Instructions
     

    • Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and fill the bowl with cold water. Let it soak at room temperature for 12 hours or overnight.
    • Fill a pot with water and place it over high heat. Cover and bring the water to boil.
    • Drain the chickpeas and add them to the boiling water with 1 teaspoon baking soda.
    • Boil for about 30 minutes until the chickpeas are cooked and soft. The skin will start floating on the surface as it cooks. Discard the skins as they float.
    • Drain the chickpeas and let them cool.
    • Once the chickpeas are cool, place them in the bowl of a food processor with garlic and tahini. Blend for about one minute until chickpeas are coarse.
    • Add in the water, salt and lemon juice. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. This would take about four minutes of blending.
    • Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and spread it using a spoon. Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil and top with Aleppo pepper and sumac if desired.

    Video

    Notes

    • Hummus should be smooth and creamy but not runny. Once the blending is done, check it and add one more tablespoon of cold water if needed. 
    • While using dry beans gives you the creamiest hummus, it’s also possible to make it with canned beans. The directions are exactly the same, simply boil the canned chickpeas in water for 20 minutes.
    • If you’re looking for a quick spicy hummus recipe, check out our harissa hummus recipe. 
    • It's best to cover and let this dip chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving. 
    • Freezing instructions: Transfer the hummus to a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. To use, thaw in the fridge overnight and transfer to a bowl, stir well and add a splash of extra virgin olive oil for fresh flavor. Serve with pita. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 366kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 13gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 625mgPotassium: 529mgFiber: 10gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 47IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 83mgIron: 4mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!
    « Instant Pot Yogurt Recipe (Step-by-Step)
    Spanish Tortilla Recipe (Easy Tutorial) »
    760 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nic

      June 02, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      5 stars
      Can't believe how delicious this homemade hummus was! It was so easy too. Thank you for such great information! Will make again.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest

    Welcome to Unicorns in the Kitchen, where we share delicious recipes from our kitchen to yours. You’re in for a delicious adventure and collection of unique and tasty recipes.

    Read more...

    Fall Dinner Ideas

    • Tomato Rice Persian Style (Dami Gojeh Farangi)
    • Easy Greek Pastitsio Recipe
    • Roasted Chicken and Vegetables Turkish Style
    • Mujadara - Lebanese Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions

    Latest Recipes

    • Best Mother's Day Brunch Ideas
    • Ful Medames Recipe (Egyptian Fava Beans)
    • Best Blackened Salmon Recipe
    • 65+ Best Persian Recipes To Try

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • About US

    All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or recipes without prior permission. Read about privacy policy and copyright Here. Our site contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting.

    Copyright 2019, All rights reserved.
    Read about privacy policy and copyright Here.

    760 shares