Learn how to make hummus like a pro! I’m sharing my family’s easy hummus recipe and expert tips for authentic, smooth, ultra cream hummus! And be sure to watch the video.
No mezze is complete without a bowl of hummus and some warm pita. But there are so many ways to enjoy this tasty dip!
What is hummus?
Most everyone knows hummus. It’s the quintessential Middle Eastern dip made by blending chickpeas with tahini, garlic, and citrus.
I grew up on it, and I’m convinced that this simple beige dip is some of the best stuff on earth! Creamy, satisfying and packed with plant-based protein.
This authentic homemade hummus recipe is so much easier to make than most people think and way better than the store bought stuff!
I love this recipe because it’s simple and uses just a few ingredients. But a few tips make all the difference in this hummus recipe, so be sure to read on!
Ingredients
- Chickpeas (3 cups). Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are the star ingredient in hummus. Canned or dry chickpeas? If you’re wondering how to make hummus from scratch–the best, extra creamy, authentic stuff–you’ll want to cook your own chickpeas from scratch (you’ll give them a good soak overnight + boil in water until well-done. More on this later)
- Garlic (1 or 2 cloves). Start with 1 clove and make sure it is finely minced. Tip: to tame its pungency, allow minced garlic to sit in a little bit of lemon juice for a few minutes.
- Tahini (1/3 cup). Tahini is a rich, nutty and slightly bitter paste made from toasted sesame seeds. (You can find my go-to tahini paste here).
- Fresh Lemon Juice (from 1 lemon). Fresh lemon juice is just the thing to add tang here.
- Kosher Salt. Just a pinch of kosher salt to your liking. You can always add more. If you’re interested in adding
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil. A generous drizzle of quality extra virgin olive oil is the way to finish and serve this dip the authentic way. (You can find my go-to extra virgin olive oils at our online shop here)
- Garnish. Not to be underestimated. My favorite way to garnish a bowl of hummus, once the EVOO has been poured nicely right in the middle, is a few pinches of tangy sumac (sometimes ground cumin is a good addition). If you have some extra cooked chickpeas, plant them right in the middle. For a pop of green, you can add a garnish of fresh parsley.
5 Important tips
- Cook the chickpeas well (even canned chickpeas can use a quick simmer!) I already mentioned that dry chickpeas are the best if you really want to learn how to make hummus from scratch. After soaking overnight, you can give the chickpeas a simmer in water for about 2 hours until well-cooked through and tender. Big tip! Overcooking the chickpeas just a bit gives you creamier hummus! So, even if you’re using canned chickpeas, give them a brief 20 minute simmer so they will be well cooked and tender.
- Peel the chickpeas. Chickpea skins are edible, but if you want creamy hummus, peel the chickpeas and discard the skins. It helps to soak the chickpeas in a bit of hot water with some baking soda, takes the chickpea skins right off (more on this process below). Of course, sometimes I don’t peel the chickpeas, but that doesn’t change the taste, it only makes the hummus a bit on the “rustic” side.
- Use quality tahini and enough of it. Tahini paste is a key ingredient in an authentic hummus recipe. It will add that rich consistency and subtle nutty flavor. There are all sorts of tahini options out there. The best tahini comes from Ethiopian sesame seeds. I use organic Soom tahini from 100% roasted and pressed organic Ethiopian White Humera sesame seeds (find it at our online shop here).
- For fluffy hummus, add ice cube while blending. Sounds crazy right? This is a trick I learned from my mother-in-law who is a master of the Levant kitchen. The ice cubes help in whipping the hummus into a creamier texture–kinda like freshly churned ice-cream.
- Don’t rush it! Let the food processor run for 4 to 5 minutes. Run the food processor for a few minutes so the hummus mixture will blend well enough to a smooth texture. Test, and if needed, add a tiny bit of hot water through the opener of the food processor as it’s running to help continue to smooth the hummus even more until it’s utterly creamy.
How do you make hummus from scratch?
Time needed: 20 minutes
My guide for how to make hummus step-by-step. Printable recipe below
- Soak and cook the chickpeas
If using dry chickpeas allow extra time for soaking (overnight) and cooking (2 hours).
Take 1 cup dry chickpeas and place it in a large bowl. Add plenty of water and soak overnight (chickpeas will expand in the bowl).
When ready, drain chickpeas and place them in a medium-sized heavy cooking pot. Cover with water by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. You should end up with about 3 cups of cooked chickpeas.
*If using canned chickpeas, give them a quick 20 minute simmer in plenty of water to help soften them some more.
- Peel the chickpeas
Cover the cooked chickpeas in hot water and add 1 1/2 tsp baking soda. Leave for a few minutes. Take a handful of chickpeas and rub under running water to remove the skins. Discard skins. Let the chickpeas cool completely before using.
- Puree the chickpeas in a food processor
Dry the chickpeas well then add them to the bowl of a large food processor that’s fitted with a blade. Run the processor until the chickpeas turn into a smooth powder-like paste
- Add the rest and keep blending
While the food processor is running, add 2 ice cubes, tahini, salt, and lemon juice. Blend for about 4 minutes or so. Check, and if the consistency is too thick still, run processor and slowly add a little hot water. Blend until you reach desired silky smooth consistency. At this point, you can cover and refrigerate the hummus for an hour or so before serving.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish
Spread in a serving bowl and add a generous drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil. Add a few chickpeas to the middle, if you like. Sprinkle sumac on top.
Enjoy with warm pita wedges and your favorite veggies and some warm pita bread.
How do you thicken hummus?
If , for some reason, you ended up using more liquid than you should have or if you still want a thicker consistency, you can add a bit more tahini. And if you chill the hummus for an hour or so before adding any garnish, that should help as well.
Another thing you can add to thicken your hummus is 1 or 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt. You can add the Greek yogurt right in the food processor and blend.
What is hummus traditionally eaten with?
People of the Mediterranean, myself included of course, eat hummus with pita bread. And if we’re doing a more modern thing, then maybe pita chips. But there are many ways to serve and enjoy this tasty dip:
- As part of mezze alongside other small plates like baba ganoush, tabouli, roasted cauliflower, or pearl couscous salad.
- To make a Mediterranean dinner bowl like these chicken shawarma bowls
- As a side next to things like kofta kabobs, chicken kabobs or Greek souvlaki, lamb chops, salmon kabobs or even a fun shrimp skillet.
- For breakfast? Sure! Hummus makes the best savory breakfast toasts or these satisfying breakfast bowls.
Tahini substitutions: what can I use instead of tahini
Let me be clear, if you wan to make the real deal dip using an authentic hummus recipe, you should not substitute tahini for something else. I personally do not. (You can find my favorite organic tahini here at our online shop)
However, in a pinch, if you want to turn your chickpeas into a dip, you can get a similar result in consistency, but not in flavor, by using a nut butter such as cashew, almond, or brazil nut butter. Each of these nut butter will give you a different flavor profile.
You can also use Greek yogurt, as I indicated earlier. Again, a completely different flavor profile.
In the absence of tahini, you can create a chickpea dip, I just would not call it hummus.
Variations
I think plain, authentic hummus reigns supreme, but I do love to play around with fun flavors. Here are a few options you might like:
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Print
Easy Hummus Recipe: How to Make Hummus
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: serves up to 8 people
Description
How to make hummus the traditional way. No fuss. No extra flavors added. Just a plain, classic homemade hummus recipe. And a couple of tricks will ensure you achieve the best hummus ever–thick, smooth, rich, and ultra creamy. Be sure to see the video tutorial as well.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chickpeas, peeled (from 1 to 1 1/4 cup dry chickpeas or from quality canned chickpeas. See recipe notes for more instructions on cooking and peeling chickpeas)
- 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 to 4 ice cubes
- 1/3 cup (79 grams) tahini paste
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Hot water (if needed)
- Arbequina extra virgin olive oil
- Sumac
Instructions
- Add chickpeas and minced garlic to the bowl of a food processor. Puree until a smooth, powder-like mixture forms.
- While processor is running, add ice cubes, tahini, salt, and lemon juice. Blend for about 4 minutes or so. Check, and if the consistency is too thick still, run processor and slowly add a little hot water. Blend until you reach desired silky smooth consistency.
- Spread in a serving bowl and add a generous drizzle of olive oil. Add a few chickpeas to the middle, if you like. Sprinkle sumac on top. Enjoy with warm pita wedges and your favorite veggies.
Notes
- If starting with dry chickpeas, allow extra time for soaking (overnight) and cooking (2 hours).
- To cook dry chickpeas: soak chickpeas in plenty of water overnight (water needs to be at least doubled the volume of chickpeas). When ready, drain chickpeas and place them in a medium-sized heavy cooking pot. Cover with water by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- If using canned chickpeas, make sure they are drained and rinsed. It helps if you also give them a quick 20-minute simmer in a bit of water so they soften well (dry them before use).
- To peel chickpeas (cooked or from a can): cover cooked chickpeas in hot water and add 1 1/2 tsp baking soda. Leave for a few minutes. Take a handful of chickpeas and rub under running water to remove the skins. Place peeled chickpeas in a bowl.
- Need to thicken your hummus some more? If for some reason, you ended up using a bit more liquid that you should have, cover and refrigerate the hummus for an hour or so before using. It should thicken up a bit. Otherwise, another trick I used to do is to add 1 to 2 tbsp of Greek yogurt to hummus to also add some creaminess (you would have to blend it again in the food processor). But with this recipe (and tips mentioned above) I have not needed to do this.
- Recommended for this recipe: the best way to finish this hummus is with a generous drizzle of our excellent Arbequina extra virgin olive oil and a few sprinkles of sumac.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
This post originally appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2015 and has been recently updated with new information and media for readers’ benefit. Enjoy!
Do you have to peel canned chickpeas?
Hi, Kelli! Yes! And for more details for using canned chickpeas, please see the notes section at the end of the recipe card. Hope you love the hummus!
Really good. Didn’t know chick peas had skins but glad we took the time to ‘skin’ them. We added red peppers (cuz we like them) and it turned out delicious. Thank you
The best hummus I have ever had outside of Greece. 100 x better than store bought for sure. This is now my go to recipe for hummus from now on. So easy to make and so yummy!!!
Wow! What an amazing review! Thanks so much, Jackie!
Delicious! I used two large cloves of garlic, and I can safely say that I am now impervious to vampires…lol.
I don’t have a food processor, so I used my immersion blender, which worked just fine. I used canned beans and squeezed the skin off by hand (as a Lady of Leisure, I have the time).
Wonderful, easy recipe, and best of all: no yucky added seed oils! Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks, Susan!
I’ve made this several times and it comes out perfect every time. This last time I used dried chickpeas and cooked them as directed and peeled them. The sumac gives it a nice tang.
Thanks so much, Jeanne!
just made your hummus using canned garbanzos and cooked them like you said and just used one big garlic glove from my neighbor’s garden which was plenty and the ice cube . it came out so smooth and creamy ! added a little cumin and sumac . this is the best as i don’t like the store bought so will make on repeat . i scraped every bit out of the food processor with a cucumber.
thanks for all your recipes as they’re so inspiring and wish i could be in one of those book tour places but closest city to me is albuquerque and that is 120 miles away- oh well-will keep up on line Mil Gracias for you and your team’s fine work
Hi Suzy and team, Wednesday we ate your falafel and tonight again as they are so delicious. 10 out of 10. As I had left over chickpeas I wanted to make your hummus. I make 2-3 times a week hummus from chickpeas in tins.
About 10% the skins floated to the top, the rest I had to skin with my fingers which was very time consuming. Any suggestions? If not will go back to tins.
Thanks for guiding me
Hi, Maud! I know it can be a bit of an effort to peel the chickpeas, for sure! Suzy’s tips are shared in the post above including adding a bit of baking soda to hot water and covering the already cooked chickpeas for a while, then peeling them under running cold water by rubbing a few chickpeas between your hands at a time. This has always worked for her. It still takes a bit of time, but it works.
Many thanks for the reply. I did add the baking soda. Will go back to tins in that case. Appreciate your replying
OMG…..this recipe is the best!
Fresh cooked chick peas make all the difference. After years of trying to perfect my humus with canned beans thinking I was doing something wrong. This recipe is a keeper; guess going to a middle eastern pro was the answer.
Aww! Thanks so much, Liz!
I don’t own a food processor, can I use a blender or a Nutribullet instead?
Sure, Mark! That should work!
I absolutely love Mediterranean food. Do not get enough of it. Would love to learn how to cook Mediterranean food. I have to buy it but would love to learn how to prepare it.
we enjoy and love with the Mediteranian cook .
We enjoyed this hummus recipe very much, it’s so creamy! Using sumac is brilliant! A nice change from the cumin.
Hi,
How many grams equals 3 cups of canned chickpeas?
Thanks!
Based on what I cooked from dried chickpeas today, 3 cups of drained, hulled chickpeas weighed 530 grams. It took 240 grams of dried chick peas to achieve this. 240 g of dried chickpeas was about 1 1/3 cups.
how long does it last in the fridge? and if its only a couple of days how would we make a smaller batch ?
Hi, Berry! This one can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you’d like to make a smaller batch, you can simply halve the ingredients.
I have a friend who’s allergic to all things citrus which means she has to avoid all hummus with lemon juice in it. Can you think of a non-citrus substitute that might work?
I would use either apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar instead.
This turned out wonderfully. When I want chickpeas I pressure cook a big pot of them, using some right away and freezing the rest. I also froze some of the bean broth and used in place of the water. I’m going to try the roasted garlic version another time. Can hummus be frozen? Love this site for so many reliable and tasty dishes.
Hi, Donna! Thanks so much for the great review. We don’t recommend freezing this one, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.