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4.9 from 48 votes

Our Favorite Hummus Recipe

This hummus recipe, from Michael Solomonov's Zahav cookbook, yields a smooth, flavorful, restaurant-style dip great with pita or laffa bread.

Prep Time
20 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 183 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup lemon juice (about 2 large lemons)
  • 4 large garlic cloves (or to taste)
  • 1/4-1 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
  • 1 cup Tahini
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 28 ounces canned chickpeas (about 2 cans)
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (for serving, optional)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (for serving, optional)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for serving, optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a food processor, combine lemon juice, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Let sit for 10 minutes. This step mellows the garlic.
  2. Add the tahini and cumin, and blend until a thick paste forms. While that’s happening, add ½ cup of water and a handful of ice into a measuring cup with a spout. Add the ice water in a thin stream until the sauce takes on a whipped, light and creamy texture. It will almost double in volume. It should take anywhere from ⅓ to ⅔ cup of ice water. For a thicker hummus, err on the side of less. 
  3. Add the drained chickpeas, and blend until totally smooth and not at all grainy. This could take anywhere from 2-5 minutes, with some occasional scraping down of the bowl. Sometimes I let it run for extra time, and busy myself with another kitchen task to ensure the smoothest possible hummus. If you need to, you can add in an extra few streams of ice water along the way.
  4. Season to taste with more salt (I add an additional ¾ teaspoon, for 1 teaspoon total), lemon juice or cumin.
  5. To serve, dollop the hummus in a shallow small bowl or a deep plate. Go ahead and run your spoon in a swirl to make that jazzy restaurant pattern. You earned it. Sprinkle a pinch of paprika over the top, chopped parsley, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

Notes

  • Note: nutrition information is per serving; does not include optional topping ingredients.

Nutrition Information

Calories 183kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 8g (3%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Sodium 93mg (4%) Potassium 155mg (4%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 23IU (0%) Vitamin C 5mg (6%) Calcium 45mg (5%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 183

% Daily Value*

Calories 183kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Sodium 93mg 4%
Potassium 155mg 3%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 23IU 0%
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Calcium 45mg 5%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.