What's a vegan web site without a basic recipe for hummus? Here's ours, with a few tasty variations. This classic Middle Eastern dip is great teamed with fresh pita bread and crisp veggies for scooping it up. It's a fantastic snack for kids and a great ingredient for wraps or pita sandwiches.
Serves: 8 or more
- 1 ½ to 2 cups cooked chickpeas or one 15-to 20-ounce can,
drained and rinsed - ¼ cup tahini (sesame paste)
- ⅓ to ½ cup water (depending on amount of chickpeas used)
- 1 to 2 cloves garlic, crushed, optional
(or, you can sauté until golden before adding
if you like garlic, but not raw) - Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Paprika for garnish, optional
Combine all the ingredients except the paprika in a food processor. Process until smoothly pureed, then transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with paprika if you'd like, and serve at room temperature.
Variations:
Add a modest amount of any of the following for some fun and flavorful variations. Either chop finely and stir in by hand, or add to the food processor once the hummus is smooth, and pulse on and off a few times to blend in:
- Green or black pitted cured olives
- Raw or wilted spinach or arugula
- Fresh dill
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh cilantro
- Roasted red bell pepper
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Jalapeño or poblano pepper
- Artichoke hearts
- Toasted pine nuts
- Lightly cooked beets
Explore VegKitchen's selection of flavorful snacks and dips.
hummus says
I love hummus, and I always eat it with crackers. What are other ways to eat hummus? I would like to make yummy healthy sandwiches or something with it, but I know it has to be just so for hummus to taste good with it. So please what is your favorite recipe for hummus snacks ?
Beach Mom says
We love hummus with veggies - sliced cucumbers are great to balance out a spicy hummus dip, but any veggies will do! We put hummus on any kind of bread or wrap, but a crusty bread or a good wrap or corn tortilla are favorites.
lazylar says
I've been making this for many years, but rather than prepared beans and tahini I used soaked beans and toasted sesame seeds, blended well with the other ingredients.
Dmitri says
I use it as a sandwich spread: just spread a couple tablespoons on a couple slices of good whole grain bread, top with shredded carrots, paper thin slices/slivers of onion and green and/or red pepper rings. Sometimes when I have it, I'll shred jicama and put that on too.
Nava says
That sounds fantastic, Dmitri. I love jicama and wish it were available in my area more often.
Frances Rixon says
Add it to your soups!
Tangelene Ramsay says
It may seem redundant, but it is great with falafels in a pita. Add a little lettuce, some red onion and cucumber and it is an amazingly quick, easy and delicious supper!
Nava says
Sometimes things are classic for a reason! You're so right about this combination. Though chickpeas are part of both, the end result is much different and they go so well together.
Nava says
Do you mean to dollop it onto soup, or serve it with soups? I suppose both would be good!
Candy says
On a sandwich with a slice of tomato, spinach and whatever else you like! Yummy
Nava says
Sounds like this one that we have on VK, with tomato, spinach, and avocado: http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/hummus-avocado-tomato-and-baby-spinach-sandwich/ — and here's a delicious and easy recipe for baked falafel: http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/hummus-avocado-tomato-and-baby-spinach-sandwich/
Luis Bayter says
So good that receipe is healthy, help me to loose weight
Luis Bayter says
Is so good, show me more.
Thanks
Mary Sheeline says
I eat my hummus with a spoon!
I've mixed spinach and artichoke hearts in and I love the combination, with lots of lemon juice and garlic.
Occasionally, I've spooned it into my cooked and drained pasta and it's wonderful that way!
Rose Saulsbury says
This week I made some with buffalo wing sauce in it. The spicy was a good contrast to cool crispness of the veggies.
Mark Ross says
A handful of Coriander (Cilantro for you colonials!)leaves and stems added to the food processor makes a fine tasting hummus.
Mark Ross says
Another variation, which I have just remembered, is to add a few cooked beetroot to the blender. The flavour is superb and the colour is mind-blowing.
Nava says
Interesting idea, Rose. And Mark, thanks for the suggestions; I've added them to the list of variations, above.
Vickie says
At my favorite vegan restaurant they use hummus as a spread on their veggie burgers instead of the traditional burger condiments. Delicious!
Jan says
I happened to have store-bought hummus in the frig. This recipe is by far superior, and so much cheaper. Next time I will crush the garlic before I put it in the food processor for finer distribution. Also, next time I will try cutting the tahini in half, to lower the fat, to see if the great taste is still there. I used the liquid from the garbanzo bean can for the water, as my beans were no-sodium, organic.
Nava says
Thanks, Jan — great tips!