Recipes, Tips and Tricks To Make Your Own Hummus

Recipes, Tips, and Tricks to Make Your Own Hummus

By Teresa Garvey, MS, RD, CSOWM, Registered Dietitian
Virtua Food Farmacy

Now that you’ve read about the delicious health benefits of hummus, here’s a basic recipe to get you started if you decide to make it at home. You’ll spend less money and enjoy more control over the taste.

Ingredients

2 cups of well-cooked or canned chickpeas, drained

½ cup of tahini (sesame seed paste)

¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, minced

Juice of one lemon

Salt to taste

Combine all of these ingredients in a food processor or blender. The consistency will vary depending on the appliance you choose, but both work well. You can even use an old-fashioned mortar and pestle if you’re willing to add a little elbow grease. As you blend, add seasoning and stop to taste it until it suits your particular palate.

Do you like it as-is or with add-ins?

Basic hummus is delicious as prepared above, but you also can add a variety of spices or veggies to suit your taste. Try red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, cooked sweet potatoes, pine nuts and basil, cucumbers, or cayenne or chipotle pepper for heat.

Butternut squash hummus is a favorite variation. To make it, roast about one cup of butternut squash, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil, at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes. Once cooled, add it to the basic recipe above with ½ to 1 teaspoon of curry powder.

Go ahead—make a big batch

Another great thing about making hummus at home is you can freeze it. You can make one large batch and freeze it in small freezer-safe bags or containers to enjoy for up to 3 months. Make sure you leave enough room for the hummus to expand, and add a thin drizzle of olive oil to the top to help it stay moist. Wait until you defrost it to add extra seasoning or add-ins, which will boost any flavor lost in the freezer.

Use hummus for more than a dip

Most people think pita chips or carrot sticks when it comes to eating hummus as a dip, but there are lots more ways to add hummus to your diet. You can use it as a substitute for mayo on sandwiches and wraps, or on salads in place of dressing.

Take your homemade hummus to the next level

Next time you're heading to a party, make this 7-Layer Hummus Dip that rivals the traditional Tex-Mex party favorite.

Place the following in a large glass baking dish:

Layer 1: Pesto (a paste made of basil, pine nuts, and olive oil)

Layer 2: Hummus

Layer 3: Chopped tomatoes

Layer 4: Chopped scallions and fresh cilantro

Layer 5: Crumbled feta cheese

Layer 6: Pine nuts

Layer 7: Sliced black olives

Serve it with whole wheat pita chips—and watch it disappear!  

Updated June 29, 2021

Registered Dietitian

Make an appointment with a Virtua registered dietitian

The path to healthy eating is one phone call away.

888-847-8823 888-847-8823

You may also like

How to Bounce Back After a Holiday Food Binge - Virtua Article

How to Bounce Back from Holiday Overeating

If you ate too many cookies or drank too much wine over the holidays, all your healthy eating efforts aren't lost. Feel better and get back on a healthy track with these tips.

Read More
Pastor Derek

Local Pastor Makes Kidney Health Mission of Ministry

Chronic kidney disease is not stopping Pastor Derek Gatling from serving the community. He has made health a focus of his ministry.

Read More
Apple Spice Cake

Apple Spice Cake

The anti-inflammatory properties and high fiber in apples can improve kidney function. Try this apple spice cake for a sweet and satisfying treat.

Read More
Showing 3 of 103