Authentic Hummus Recipe

Forget the store-bought tubs; velvety-smooth, restaurant-style hummus only requires a handful of pantry staples and one tiny, unconventional ice-cold trick. This authentic hummus recipe is the only recipe you will need.

Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip made from a delicious blend of chickpeas, tahini (sesame seed paste), lemon juice, garlic and olive. It's smooth, creamy, earthy, super yummy and a healthy. This dip is a popular part of a meze (small plates) and is traditionally served with pita bread. I enjoy eating hummus with fresh vegetable sticks or flatbread and often take it to work for lunch. If you have never made hummus, you will be surprised how easy it is to make. It tastes better than the ones you find it the supermarket. Great for entertaining and made in less than 10 minutes.

After multiple rounds of testing, the recipe I use, and love is the one I share with you. One thing I have learned, a great hummus is made with tahini. While there are recipes without tahini, this is not traditional. Be sure to use hulled tahini, not unhulled. Hulled tahini is lighter in colour smoother texture, and milder and nuttier flavour while unhulled tahini is darker in colour, with a thicker texture, richer and bitter taste.

• Chickpeas - The main ingredient of hummus. Providing a creamy texture and high-protein content.
• Tahini - A rich, creamy paste made from ground, toasted sesame seeds. It is the essential, nutty base for hummus and giving it its characteristic flavour and texture. Tahini provides a savoury depth and smooth consistency and is a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.
• Lemon juice - Gives a bright, zesty, and tangy flavour that balances the richness of the tahini and chickpeas. It cuts through the savoury notes of garlic and tahini. Preventing the hummus from tasting bland and adding a crucial layer of acidity that elevates the overall taste.  
• Garlic - Provides a pungent, savoury flavour that enhances the creamy texture of chickpeas and tahini.
• Extra virgin olive oil - A high-quality, cold-pressed oil that provides a fresh, peppery, and grassy flavour, making it the best choice for drizzling over to enhance its authentic taste and texture.

Hummus is a versatile dip that offers numerous health benefits, making it an excellent addition to a balanced diet. It is a nutrient-dense, plant-based dip rich in fibre, protein, and healthy fats (olive oil, tahini), supporting heart health, digestion, and weight management. Hummus helps stabilise blood sugar due to its low glycemic index and fights inflammation. It is naturally gluten, nut, and dairy-free.

You might like:

• Simple guacamole recipe
• Easy authentic tzatziki recipe

Did you try the recipe? Let me know what you thought in the comments below!

Authentic Hummus Recipe

Recipe by Marie Otty

Forget the store-bought tubs; velvety-smooth, restaurant-style hummus only requires a handful of pantry staples and one tiny, unconventional ice-cold trick. This authentic hummus recipe is the only recipe you will need.

Course: StarterCuisine: Middle EasternDifficulty: Easy

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Servings

6

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, drained

• 1/2 cup tahini

• 1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed

• 3 tbsp reserved chickpea liquid

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 1/2 tsp ground cummin

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 2 ice cubes (optional)

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions

• First Blend: In a food processor, combine the drained chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of reserved liquid from the can, crushed garlic, salt, and ground cumin. Process everything until the mixture becomes completely smooth.
• Fluff: Drop in the ice cubes and process the mixture again. As they break down, the ice cubes aerate the mix, yielding a much lighter, creamier, and fluffier texture.
• Emulsify: Pour in the olive oil and process one final time to fully incorporate the oil and create a rich, silky finish.
• Serve: Transfer your fluffy hummus into a serving dish. Drizzle the top with a little extra olive oil and serve it right away with pita bread, flatbread, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks.

Notes

• Ice cubes transform hummus by making it lighter, creamier, and fluffier by incorporating air and moisture into the mixture during blending. As the ice cubes are broken down by a powerful blender or food processor, they release tiny air bubbles and add moisture, similar to how ice cream is churned. This technique requires a blender or food processor strong enough to chop ice.