Ultra creamy, lemony, and just enough garlicy white bean hummus! Serve it plain with a drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil, or dress it up with some nutty dukkah (highly recommended). The perfect bean dip!
I don’t have to tell you that plain, classic hummus with chickpeas and tahini is the dip of choice in this house.
So let me clarify right away that this white bean dip is not the traditional Middle Eastern hummus I grew up with. But, I am often asked about chickpea alternatives when it comes to making hummus. Today’s recipe is the answer!
Can you use white beans instead of chickpeas in hummus?
The short answer is yes. Chickpeas are the ideal, traditional option for making hummus, but white beans are a good alternative if you need one.
There is a variety of white bean choices out there: cannellini, navy, Great Northern, and butter beans. So, which kind of white bean should you use to make this white bean dip?
Even though any canned white beans you choose will likely work just fine in this recipe, I am going to recommend butter beans. Butter beans, also known as baby lima beans, have the softest texture. They are starchy and buttery and perfect for making an ultra creamy dip.
White bean hummus you’ll love!
This white bean dip is a slight digression from classic hummus, since I use white beans instead of chickpeas. But it carries pretty much the same characteristics we love about classic hummus:
- Extra smooth
- Lemony
- Just enough garlic
- Perfect as a dip for veggies and pita chips or spread on your sandwiches
What’s in this white bean hummus recipe?
If you’ve made my classic hummus before, the list of ingredients here will look familiar but slightly different. Here is what you need to make this white bean hummus recipe (the full recipe with measurements below):
- White beans. I used 1 can of butter beans, drained and rinsed.
- Tahini paste. Just like classic hummus, a core ingredient here is tahini paste. The kind of tahini will make a difference in flavor and texture (I use this Organic Soom Tahini from pressed organic Ethiopian White Humera sesame seeds offering a creamy texture and a nutty flavor).
- Spices. I used a trio of warm Middle Eastern spices to add flavor: cumin, coriander, and Aleppo-style pepper (it is not a very spicy pepper, but does have a little bit of a kick and balanced with some sweet undertones). Check out the Mediterranean spices I use.
- Lemon juice
- Extra virgin olive oil, to serve
Top it with Dukkah!
Now, this is optional, but if you want to take this bean dip to next level delicious, add a big sprinkle of Egyptian dukkah on top just before you serve it!
Dukkah is a wonderful blend of nuts like hazelnuts and pistachios, seeds, and warm spices and flavors including cumin, coriander, and fennel. You can make dukkah ahead of time and store it in a tight-lid mason jar for up to 2 weeks! It adds crunch and loads of flavor to something like this white bean dip, and you’ll find many more uses for it (on your salads, soups and more). Here is my dukkah recipe to try.
How to make white bean hummus
- Blend the beans and garlic in the food processor until a smooth mixture forms
- While the processor is running, from the top opening of the lid, add an ice cube, 1/4 cup tahini, juice of 1/2 lemon, a big dash of kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon each: cumin, coriander, and Aleppo-style pepper. Blend until you reach an ultra smooth, creamy white bean hummus. If it is too thick, run the processor again and drizzle a very small amount of hot water and keep blending.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, garlic, and lemon juice to your liking. And if you like your hummus even more nutty, add more tahini (if you add anything, you need to blitz the hummus some more to make sure everything is well blended).
- Serve or chill! You can enjoy the dip right away or, if you’re not in a hurry, I recommend you chill the dip, covered in the fridge so it thickens a bit more.
When ready, spread the dip in a bowl and add a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and, if you’ve made my dukkah, add a couple of tablespoons on top (optional but so highly recommended).
Serve it with
Now, it is only logical to add some veggies and pita chips (or pita bread) to serve with this white bean hummus! You can also pile your white bean dip with some hummus toppings like charred shallots and blistered shishito peppers for a light vegan meal!
The other night, I served it along with other small plates like fried calamari and Greek salad for a small dinner.
You can also serve this dip next to other Mediterranean entrees like:
- Lemony baked cod or shrimp kabobs
- Harissa Chicken or Chicken Kabobs
- Rack of lamb or grilled Kofta Skewers
- Grilled vegetables
Hungry for more? Browse Middle Eastern Recipes, top Mediterranean diet recipes, or all Mediterranean Recipes.
Browse Our Online Shop for quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils and spices.
White Bean Hummus
Ingredients
- 1 15- ounce can white beans, (I recommend butter beans), drained and rinsed
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 ice cube
- ¼ cup tahini, I used Soom Tahini, well-stirred
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, more to your liking
- Kosher salt
- Juice of ½ lemon, more to your liking
- Extra virgin olive oil, to serve
- Homemade Dukkah, optional, to serve (use this homemade dukkah recipe)
Instructions
- Add the beans and minced garlic to the bowl of a food processor. Puree until a smooth mixture forms.
- While the processor is running, add an ice cube, tahini, lemon juice, spices and a big dash of kosher salt. Blend for about 4 minutes or so. Check, and if the consistency is too thick, run processor and slowly add a drizzle of hot water. Blend until you reach your desired silky smooth consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning and lemon juice to your liking. If you need more garlic, add another minced clove. And if you like the dip to be even more nutty, add a little more tahini. Make sure to run the processor again until everything is well combined.
- Serve or chill the dip for a later time (chilling will thicken the white bean hummus some, which is recommended). When ready to serve, spread the hummus in a serving bowl and add a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Top with 2 to 3 teaspoons of dukkah, if using.
Notes
- If using dukkah, which I highly recommend, you can make it in advance. Use this homemade dukkah recipe and store in a tight-lid mason jar (it will last for up to 2 weeks).
- Leftovers: White bean hummus will keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge. I like to store the white bean hummus plain, adding olive oil or dukkah later when ready to serve.
- Visit Our Online Shop for quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils and spices.
I made the pumpkin hummus & it tasted nothing like pumpkin! I’m going to make it again & change the spices.
I thought you’d add yoghurt to hummus?
Hello! You can definitely add a bit of yogurt to hummus if you’d like, but traditionally, it’s not a key ingredient.
I love this!! I am officially addicted to it! I do add a little water at the end to thin it out, but other than that it’s perfection!!
Thanks, Lisa!
It was good after adding more lemon, tahini and spices and added water to thin it out… it’s good now but needed a lot of doctoring!
This was so good! Creamy, rich and delicious. I keep opening the fridge and eating it by the spoonful. This is going to be my go to hummus recipe from now on.
Delicious and easy to make! Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
My pleasure, Deena! So glad you enjoyed it.
Absolutely delicious! Makes a tasty wrap with some tuna and crunchy veggies.
Hi
Which blender brand do you suggest for cooking hummus ; I’ve tried with different brand of blenders but so far I couldn’t get creamy texture.
Hi, Munif. I prefer to use my Kitchen Aid food processor for hummus.
I used cannelini beans I grew in last year’s garden. I think cooking your own beans makes a difference. Especially if you have them in the pantry. Get soaking.
I had a real struggle with this humus, altho it worked out well in the end. The major problem was the raw garlic. I like garlic, generally, but the raw garlic was terribly intense even tho I only added 2 cloves to a double recipe. Next time I would try soaking the minced garlic in lemon juice for 10 min as I’ve read that doing so mellows out that intensity. I ended up adding another can of beans (I used cannellini beans), lemon zest and extra lemon juice and some minced Kalamata olives. I served it with the dukkah which is very tasty, and it got raves from my guests. A very good save – it was almost inedible when I followed the recipe. The recipe for lamb kabobs was fabulous.
Whathat does the ice cube do, Suzy?
Hi, Shanan! It helps give the hummus a creamier texture.
I have been making hummus for years but your technique of adding an ice cube and letting the mixture process for a longer time has kicked my hummus up a couple of notches! It’s super creamy and I love it. Thanks for the tip.
So glad you found it helpful!
I’m one of those who is not a huge fan of chickpeas. Never thought of using beans. This was great!
I really enjoyed this! Easy to make, and a fun twist on traditional hummus.
I was just diagnosed with high blood pressure. I’m a nut about my weight and have gained about 10 lbs. I’m 76 but stlll work and it is important to me to look good. Ive started walking 1 mile a day and just realized drinking red wine is something I must stop. Will I gain weight by dedicating myself to this new way to eat? I’m not a sweet eater, love vegetables, no junk food. I think my main problem is portion control.
I want to try this, but what are butter beans?
Hi, Barbara! They are small white beans in the lima bean family. They can usually be found easily with other canned beans.
I am so glad you posted this! I love your traditional hummus recipe, but I have a child who does not eat chickpeas, so this is such a great alternative! And btw, I made your dukkah recipe a week ago and will use the rest on this hummus! so good.
So glad, Amanda! thanks for sharing