Name: Classic Hummus Recipe
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 1 15 ounce can chickpeas; 2 tablespoons reserved chickpea liquid; ¼ cup tahini; 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1 clove garlic minced; ¼ cup olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt

Classic Hummus Recipe

This recipe for homemade classic hummus has the traditional flavors of garlic, lemon and tahini for a smooth and delicious dip perfect with vegetables and pita chips!

Prep5 minutes

Total5 minutes

Serves2

Published 6 Apr 2021

A traditional classic hummus recipe so easy to make you may wonder why you ever even bought it in the store all these years. All you need is a few simple ingredients, a blender, food processor, or stick blender, and you are minutes away from amazing fresh hummus.

Whether you want a healthy and easy dip for vegetables and pita bread or are looking to add that extra touch to recipes with homemade hummus, it is worth the extra 5 minutes.

Add a dollop of this classic hummus to Chicken Schwarma Couscous Bowls, Falafel Salad in a Jar or use it on these Mediterranean Breakfast Tostadas for a unique spin on your breakfast.

This hummus will keep well refrigerated in a sealed container or about a week, but I highly doubt it will last that long. I know my preschoolers gobble it up with crackers and carrots whenever they get a chance!

white bowl with traditional classic hummus

Ingredients In Classic Hummus

There are so many variations on hummus these days. Truthfully, it is hard to keep track. So this is the hummus recipe that gets back to the basics. Of course, once you learn this one then the creative possibilities are endless.

Traditional hummus is olive oil, chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, and tahini. Precious few ingredients, but each weighs in perfectly with a taste as well as a task.

Lemon juice helps preserve the mix as well as helps cut the oiliness of the olive oil with bright acidity. That helps the olive oil blend better with the chickpeas. The chickpeas add great protein and fiber, and the olive oil helps them become creamy and smooth.

Finish the hummus with a drizzle of olive oil for added richness. Some infused olive oil really puts this over the top with added flavor.

white bowl of hummus topped with drizzle of olive oil

Making Homemade Classic Hummus

Depending on your food processing blending method, this recipe requires only about one minute to prep, and another minute or two to blend. The only way it might take longer is if you decide to boil your own chickpeas first. In that case, add the boiling time of course.

You will see hummus recipes that call for garbanzo beans or chickpeas. They are actually two different names for the same thing.

Already cooked and ready chickpeas are super convenient though and simplifies things with no loss of quality in flavor or texture.

So good, you might eat it with a spoon, and so quick to make you might miss it if you blink.

chickpease, tahini, lemon juice and garlic in food processor

What Is Tahini?

Tahini is the key to amazing classic hummus. Made with only one ingredient, sesame seeds, but in a variety of forms. Roasted, raw, hulled, un-hulled, but all ground to a paste. The sesame seeds provide the nutty flavor to make the hummus flavor more interesting.

creamy classic hummus in white bowl topped with chickpeas

Where Did Classic Hummus Come From?

This classic hummus recipe goes back thousands of years and the oldest sourced recipe is from ancient Egypt. To think that this recipe is a hieroglyph on a Pyramid somewhere is pretty cool.

Hummus is proof that all great things never get old. They just get easier to make. Food processors and stick blenders sure are convenient.

creamy classic hummus topped with olive oil and chickpeas

What to dip in classic hummus

This simple and healthy hummus is the perfect compliment to so many vegetables and dippers. Here are just a few recipes that will be delicious served with classic hummus.

Air Fryer Carrot Fries – Skip the ketchup or ranch and enjoy these healthy and crispy carrot fries dunked in hummus.

Everything Bagel Seasoned Almond Crackers – These flavorful and low carb alternative to traditional crackers make a healthy pairing you will love.

Balsamic Chicken – Serve these tender chicken breasts with a dollop of classic hummus and some roasted vegetables or a wholesome dinner.

classic hummus in bowl served with carrots and celery

Notes

Add a small pinch of paprika, cumin or chipotle powder for a bit more flavor.

Ingredients

1 15 ounce can chickpeas

2 tablespoons reserved chickpea liquid

¼ cup tahini

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 clove garlic minced

¼ cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps

Drain the chickpeas, while reserving the liquid.

In a food processor, combine the tahini, 2 Tablespoons reserved chickpea liquid, and lemon juice and pulse until light and whipped, about 30 seconds.

Add the garlic and drained chickpeas and pulse until the chickpeas are broken into small pieces, about 30 more seconds.

With the food processor on, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and continue processing until the hummus is smooth and creamy. If the consistency is too thick, add a bit more reserved chickpea liquid.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve in a shallow bowl topped with a drizzle of olive oil. You can optionally garnish it with a few chickpeas, some fresh herbs and a sprinkle of paprika.

Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.