The Best Hummus Recipe
This really is the best hummus recipe! Not only is it fast and easy, but it’s also super creamy and delicious. It’s the classic hummus you know and love – made from a handful of wholesome ingredients – and it’s done in under three minutes with a high-powered blender!
Hummus, oh how I love thee. I’ve had my fair share of hummus while traveling across the Middle East, in fact, I’d like to think I’m a connoisseur. So it only made sense to recreate the best hummus recipe, that’s also an incredibly easy hummus recipe. Trust me, packaged hummus has nothing on this freshly made version.
I love to schmear hummus onto falafel flatbread with toasted pine nuts and herbs, scoop it with crisp cucumber slices for a quick healthy snack, dollop it on veggie bowls, and the list goes on (which I’ll talk more about below). Long story short, it’s a fridge staple and highly versatile!
Is Hummus Good for You? Yes!
Chickpeas are wonderful for gut health as they’re loaded with fiber and keep things moving through your digestive system (in other words, they help with constipation). But here’s the really good part. The type of fiber they’re loaded with is insoluble fiber – the kind that helps to lower “bad” cholesterol while feeding the “good” gut bugs in your microbiome.
That’s because insoluble fiber doesn’t break down until it hits the large intestine. And when it does hit the large intestine, those good gut bugs feed off the insoluble fiber, creating short-chain-fatty-acids, giving you energy and protecting the health of your colon.
Classic Hummus Ingredients
This recipe is everything you love about a simple dip and spread. There’s just six easy ingredients plus a few extra garnishes to create the most luscious hummus. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Canned Chickpeas: I’m using canned chickpeas for a speedier process. But keep reading for my thoughts between canned versus fresh chickpeas.
- Chickpea Liquid: Don’t skip this – aquafaba (the liquid left in the can of chickpeas) is the key to the creamiest hummus ever with its emulsifying and thickening properties!
- Tahini: An essential for adding a nutty flavor to the dip and creating a thicker texture. Bonus – it’s super easy to make yourself with my homemade tahini recipe!
- Lemons: The tartness of fresh lemons are used to brighten up the earthy flavors. And you know my motto, fresh lemons over jarred lemon juice is always preferred.
- Garlic: I add two garlic cloves for an extra garlicky hummus. But heads up – blending certain ingredients like garlic in your Vitamix blender really intensifies their pungency. So you can always start with one garlic clove and add more. Roasted garlic is also divine and sweeter in flavor.
- Cumin: A hint of this warm, earthy and fragrant spice is a virtual requirement in classic Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Garnish: An authentic or traditional way to serve hummus is with a swoosh of olive oil, a dash of paprika, and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
Fresh Chickpeas Versus Canned Chickpeas
When it comes to hummus you’ll have purists say that properly soaked dried chickpeas should be used over canned chickpeas for the best, most traditional flavor. And they may be right. But I’ve tried this recipe both ways and the difference was negligible. Therefore, I opt for canned chickpeas as it’s faster and easier.
How to Make Hummus – Super Easy!
There are two ways to make hummus – in a food processor or high-powered blender. I personally prefer the blender method. Why? I find that homemade hummus in a high-powered blender (like my favorite Vitamix) comes out faster and smoother than a food processor.
Using a high-powered blender also means that you don’t have to remove the skins of the chickpeas as they’re easily pulverized into a creamy texture. Unfortunately, that’s not the case when using a food processor. Plus, who can beat a 3-minute blend, right?
Here’s the simple steps to make hummus:
Drain the chickpeas. Make sure to drain the chickpeas in a colander that sits over a large bowl. This is necessary to reserve all the chickpea liquid (aquafaba), so you can add some back to the blender.
Add the ingredients to the blender. Add the chickpeas, chickpea liquid, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin and salt to the blender.
Blend until creamy. Turn your blender on high and use a tamper (as you would when making almond butter) to push the ingredients into the blades. After 30 seconds, it should be fully blended. If you’d like a thinner consistency, just add a bit more chickpea liquid or water until it’s your desired consistency.
Serve it up! For the finishing touches, create a swoosh with the back of a spoon to create a little divot for your olive oil to stay in. Then sprinkle some paprika and add freshly chopped parsley. Voila homemade hummus!
Ways To Serve and Use Hummus
Although hummus is predominantly a dip, there’s many delicious ways to add a touch of it to your meals. It’ll round out any of these Mediterranean recipes!
- Dip into it with fresh cut veggies like cucumbers, red bell peppers, or celery. For a more savory touch, dip it with my ultimate seed crackers or socca flatbread.
- Spread it onto a veggie-heavy sandwich or wrap. Some layering ideas can be butter leaf lettuce, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, avocados, or microgreens.
- Drizzle it onto just about anything for a nutty, fiber-fueled touch. Just mix it with a bit more water or aquafaba!
- Dollop it onto a macro bowl piled with rice, fresh and roasted veggies, or sliced baked chicken pieces.
Storage Tips
The beauty of hummus is that it holds up well in the fridge and is endlessly versatile. That’s why it’s one of my top meal prep recipes! Plus, if you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer – no one ever can deny a big crudite platter with hummus in the middle. And you can easily make it ahead of time!
To store: Scoop the hummus into an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
To freeze: Yes, you can freeze any leftover hummus in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Side note – I always have a stash of it in my freezer, ready to thaw and enjoy on a moment’s notice!
Classic Hummus Recipe Video
The process of making hummus is easy as can be. But if you’re a visual person, watch the quick step-by-step video below!
More Exciting Hummus Recipes
There’s a whole world of hummus(es) out there. It’s just a matter of what flavor you’re craving. Want a sweet potato hummus? Blend in boiled or roasted sweet potatoes. Want a super herby version? Toss in your favorite herbs like parsley and cilantro! Here’s a few ideas.
- Green Goddess Hummus
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
- Roasted Cauliflower Hummus (low-carb version!)
- Chocolate Hummus (tastes so good with fresh fruit!)
- Roasted Beet Hummus
This easy hummus recipe is a quintessential dip and I’m confident you’ll eventually know it by heart! Once you whip it up, let me know how it turned out in a comment below.
The Best Hummus Recipe (in 3 Minutes!)
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 2 (15-ounce cans) chickpeas, drained with liquid reserved
- ⅓ cup chickpea liquid, or more, as needed
- ½ cup tahini
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For Garnish
- extra-virgin olive oil
- paprika
- freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender and secure the lid. Remove the lid cap and insert the tamper.
- Turn the blender on high for 30 seconds (or more for a creamier texture) and use the tamper to push the hummus into the blades. Add more chickpea liquid (aquafaba), if desired, for a softer hummus.
- Add the hummus to a small serving bowl and garnish with olive oil, paprika and fresh parsley.
Lisa’s Tips
- Don’t forget that you can also make tahini yourself (rather than buying in the store). Just follow my tahini recipe.
- The Vitamix blender I use is the Vitamix Ascent 3500 – and I love it!
- 1 cup of dried chickpeas = 3 cups of soaked and cooked chickpeas = approx 30 ounces canned chickpeas
Nutrition
This post was created in partnership with Vitamix (a brand I’ve loved and used for years). All thoughts and opinions are my own. The original recipe was posted June 2017, but recently updated with new photos and information.
I just bought my A3500 & love it! Do you put it on the dip/spread feature for 30 seconds on 10 or do you just do it regularly on 10 for 30 seconds? Thanks so much- can’t wait to make this!!
Yay, congrats!! It’s always fun to have a new kitchen toy, especially a Vitamix! And I sometimes just turn it on high for 30 seconds and sometimes I use the dip/spread function. Either one works and it just depends on where my brain is that day in the kitchen. Lol.
This was so simple and delicious! I can’t believe I’ve never made hummus before but after discovering this recipe, it will definitely be a staple in my meal prep. Thank you, Lisa!
Awesome, Tori! I’m so happy you enjoyed the hummus and thank you so much for the kind comment! :)
Thanks, Lisa for this recipe .
Love it! How big is the serving size to get the 332 cals that you state?
Hi Coral – The recipes yields about 5 cups of hummus, so a little more than 1/2 cup will be 332 calories.
It Looks Delicious. Definitely gonna try this one.
This hummus is amazing and I eat it almost every week! :)
This hummus is amazing. I’m going to double the recipe to last me the week next time it’s that amazing. I’ve used limes instead of lemons, still turned out great. Is there any reason I should use lemons over limes? Also, I doubled the garlic and sauteed half of it. Divine!
Wonderful! I’m so happy you loved the recipe John! I frequently double it as well and you can store leftovers in the freezer for several months, then just thaw as needed. You could use limes or lemons, it’s up to you!
Thank you! I’m definitely trying your hummus with my Vitamix. Would pouring in the full contents one of the chickpea cans with the liquid work too? Would that be too much liquid? I would also like to try your recipe with ripe avocados instead of the tahini.
Hi Sam – yes, that would be far too much liquid and you’d have a watery hummus. :)
Thanks. Great recipe. I have a vitamin and never thought of using it for hummus. DUH. I will be using it from now on
Hi Barbara – So glad you liked the hummus and yes, the Vitamix is great for making hummus! :)
Thanksssss a lot
I loved it!
Yay, I’m so glad you loved it Marcia!
Best hommus that I’ve ever tested
Even my husband who didn’t like hommus that much told that he really likes this one
Thank u Lisa for being such an inspiration
Much love ❤️
Awesome! I’m so glad you both loved this hummus recipe. :) x
Lisa, I just made your hummus recipe for the first time. YUM!! It’s a winner! It has just the right amount of lemon and cumin, both of which I love. I followed your recipe to make my own tahini and it was very easy. Hummus with crunchy veggies just might be my new favorite snack. Thanks for sharing this recipe! :-) Do you have other sauces, salad dressings, and healthy snack ideas?
Thanks so much Yulia! I’m glad you loved the hummus recipe! I do have many other snacks, sauces and dressings. You can sort by those topics on the recipes page. :) Enjoy!
This hummus is to die for… so yummy!!!! I make it every week.
Yay! I’m thrilled you love the recipe Trinity. :)
I have made many recipes for hummus before but have never been satisfied with the result. This is THE PERFECT recipe. Full of flavor, creamy, and absolutely delicious! I add 1 extra clove of garlic because I love garlic, and Lisa even suggested it. Also, sometimes I will heat it up a tiny bit before serving as I’ve had at restaurants. It’s a lovely change. I will happily share this recipe and Lisa’s videos with anyone who will listen. Thank you!
Thanks so much Amy for your kind words and I’m thrilled you love this hummus recipe! I’m always a fan of extra garlic as well. ;) I greatly appreciate the sharing!
Wow! This recipe is truly fast and amazing! I had been using another well rated recipe that used the food processor and no matter how long I mixed it or how much more water or lemon I added to it, it was NEVER smooth! It always had bumps in it.
Finally, I decided to look for something faster and easier as the other recipe was so much work, plus the clean up-messy. Your recipe was so much faster, easier and better in every way! Talk about smooth and delicious, as it should be.
I think the key might be in keeping and using the chickpea juice to thin, as the other recipe called for water.
So, Thank you for an Excellent recipe, so glad you posted it! :)
Thanks so much Andrea! I’m so happy you loved my hummus recipe. It’s super smooth and creamy for sure and the chickpea liquid definitely helps with that. :)
Hi Lisa,
I bought a Vitamix because I discovered your channel. I was so tired of buying blender after blender and this one is the real deal. I made your hummus recipe today (& I have made many other recipes), it came out so perfect. Thank you so much for sharing.
Yay! Congrats on your new Vitamix Lisa. It’s definitely an investment that’s worthwhile. And you’ll have tons of new recipes (from my website) that you can whip up. Happy you enjoyed the hummus recipe to start!
I finally made this, including the from scratch Tahini and my taste buds are in heaven!! The only hiccup was that my not so high-powered blender barely made it thru the Tahini production and then died during the hummus part (food processor had to finish it up-gasp!) Great reason to get a Vitamix, but unfortunately my budget only allows for a refurbished one at this point, is there a way you can still get affiliate credit for that? I so appreciate all your recipes and lifestyle content and want to support you as much as possible!
Thank you!
Congrats on making it all from scratch Annette! That’s awesome. And you’re so sweet for wanting me to get the credit. If you click on the Vitamix from my shop page, but then swap it and put a refurbished one in your cart on Amazon, I’ll still get the credit. Thanks so much! :) x
Interested in making this recipe but I have dried chickpeas that I boiled and ready for use. How do I know how many cups to use to equate two 15 oz. cans?
Exact same question I have, unfortunate it hasn’t been answered as my bag of dried chickpeas is now soaked and ready to be made into hummus…
We just bought a Vitamix so looking for a recipe using that. I’m no “purist” but just prefer a dry bean over a canned one (less processing and can residue etc)…
After researching some, it looks like a 1lb bag of dried is about 3-4 cans so if you have the whole bag boiled, double the rest of the ingredients? Or use about half… Maybe. Hopefully…
I loved it. I followed the directions exactly and it turned out perfect.
Wonderful! I’m glad you loved the recipe! :)
This is my all-time favorite hummus and a staple in my diet now! Thank you so much for sharing your great recipe with us.
Yay! So happy you love the recipe Janet! It’s one of my staple recipes as well. :) x
The recipe mixed together well in my VitaMix; though, I did add about 1/2 cup more of the chick pea juice, for more creamier texture, one more garlic glove and about 1/4 tsp garlic powder. Very good!!
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the recipe. :)
This hummus tastes great! What I really love is that it’s a big recipe so it blends very easily in my processor!
I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe Kathy! And yes, it’s quite a big batch with enough for lots of delicious leftovers. ;)
Hi, Lisa, I’m from Brazil, here it’s not a common recipe, but once i tried, I can’t get rid of make it every week for my husband and I. It’s absolutely amazing. Thank you for sharing this with the world. Cheers from Brazil.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe Amanda! :) x
I made this, I love it! It was quite easy in my Vitamix, and I’ll pack the hummus in a couple work lunches this week then will freeze the rest. Flavor is very yummy!!!
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed the recipe Michele!
Thank you for this recipe. I’ve tried it and it’s delicious.
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it Alexandra!
shopping for ingredients now and i have dry beans. question: 1. do i cook them for a more nutrient-rich aquafaba or will a soak overnite give the same result? thank you!
Good question Karen and I’m really not sure if cooking will impart more nutrients into the aquafaba.
I’ve tried a few hummus recipes but this is my favourite! It’s an added bonus that it’s super easy and quick :)
Wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that you love it!
I live for years near TelAviv, and after trying different recipies over and over again, finally I found one that tastes similar to the ones I used to love over there.
Thank you for this great recipie
Wonderful! That makes me so happy to hear. And I’ll be traveling to Israel in October, so can’t wait to try it there as well!
Really great recipe and so easy! I’ve made it several times and I won’t buy pre-made again!
So happy you enjoyed the recipe Laura! And I agree, once you make it at home there’s no going back to store-bought. ;) x
I made it.my family and I love these recipe is so good. Thank you so much❤❤
Wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that. :) x
Hey I was wondering how long it can be in the freezer for?
You can store it for several months. :)
Just made your hummus and yummy! First time I have ever made it! Thank you for all the details in your video and blog posts! Love!!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed your first ever homemade batch of hummus Crystal! Make sure to check out my beet hummus and roasted red pepper hummus for really easy variations on this recipe. :) x
What can I say…except yummy.
Thank you.
Lou
Thanks Lou! Glad you enjoyed the recipe! :)
This recipe is sweet, simple, and amazingly good. Made it twice this week now and will continue doing so. I love its natural, fresh flavor over the store bought stuff. Thank you!
Yay – happy you enjoyed it! And I’ll have a new flavor spin on it….coming to the blog next week! :)
Quick, easy and delicious! I halved the cumin for my family, but it still tasted wonderful! Made it in my high-power blender and food processor…both worked great. Thanks for this yummy treat!
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Yummy! Perfect!
Glad you enjoyed the recipe! :)
I am absolutely a disaster in the kitchen so was wondering what are your ideas I could use the hummus for as a meal?
I usually use the hummus for a snack with veggies sticks (check out my meal prep video) and top it on salads. You could also use hummus to spread on sandwiches and wraps, similar to how you might use mayonnaise. Hope that helps! :)
Thank you, have fired up my ideas.
Awesome! Hope you enjoy the recipe Doug!
Could I use any basic blender? I don’t have a vitamix. BTW I’m glad I found you on YouTube you have so many awesome recipes!
I’m not sure if this recipe would work in other blenders (as you need the tamper to push the ingredients into the blade). If you don’t have a Vitamix, I’d recommend using a food processor instead. And I’m thrilled to hear you love my recipes and videos. Yay! :) x
I used it on my ninja, worked well, smooth but not buttery smooth. Honestly I’ve always liked a bit of uneven texture in my food (mashed potatoes especially).
I halved the recipe and it came out great! Super simple and quick to make, plus it’s extremely yummy!
Wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that Meg! :)
Loved the Hummus Recipe. Thank you.
Wonderful! So happy to hear that Uzma! :) x
Lisa,
thank you for all these good recipes, I can’t find your recipe for tahini,
can I have it please.
Hi Helene – here’s my tahini recipe: https://downshiftology.com/recipes/tahini/ And in the future, if you ever can’t find a recipe, just type a keyword in the search field and it should pop up. :)
I make this recipe at least twice a month. Everyone, especially me, loves this!! Better than any store bought.
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear. Thanks Bob!
This hummus is by far the best I have ever had and so easy and quick to make in my Vitamix!
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear. Thanks Janis!
Oh my gosh, this is the prettiest hummus I’ve ever seen and it’s so quick. I’m blown away. So gorgeous. I bet it tastes incredible.
Aww, thanks so much for your kind words Kim! Pretty food that’s super easy and tastes amazing seems like a winner in my books. ;) x
Yummy! I love homemade hummus. This recipe looks super easy and very delicious! Can’t wait to try it.
Hope you enjoy it! :) x
There’s nothing better than homemade hummus! It looks gorgeous.
Thanks Edyta! Fresh hummus is the best.
I just love hummus and this looks beautiful! I could eat this all up!
I almost did eat it all up – but then had to stop myself! ;) x
We share the same favorites when it comes to dips! Love how easy it is to make hummus at home! This one looks so creamy and delicious! Perfect to make for a healthy snack to enjoy during the week or when you need a quick appetizer for guests!
We must have good dip taste then! ;) It is a great healthy snack there’s so many ways to add a few herbs or spices to keep it interesting. x
I have been wanting to perfect my hummus-making technique, so I can’t wait to give your recipe a try! It just seems that I can never get my hummus as creamy and smooth as store brand, but I really prefer to make it from scratch!
I’ve used both a food processor and my Vitamix and the Vitamix definitely makes it the creamiest. Hope you enjoy the recipe! :)
Check out hummustir! It’s simple and so easy to stir up a fresh batch of hummus! Organic, No preservatives, Non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten Free and fresh hummus anytime and anywhere. I just love it.
Awesome, simple hummus recipe! Guacamole will always be my #1 favorite dip though, for sure ;)
It’s hard to argue with that. ;)