Hummus Recipe

Rinse and Drain

Drain the canned chickpeas in a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold running water for 30–60 seconds. This removes excess sodium and helps achieve a cleaner flavor.

Peel (optional for extra-smooth hummus)

If you want ultra-smooth hummus, gently pinch each chickpea to remove the skins. This is optional but improves texture. For 2 cups this step takes about 8–12 minutes.

Reserve 2–3 tablespoons of the canning liquid (aquafaba) before draining, or have extra water ready.

Combine tahini and lemon

In a food processor, add the tahini and fresh lemon juice. Process for 30 seconds to 1 minute, scraping the sides, until the mixture lightens in color and becomes slightly whipped. This step helps thicken and lighten the tahini.

Add garlic and seasonings

Add the peeled garlic cloves, ground cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper to the whipped tahini. Process for another 20–30 seconds until garlic is roughly incorporated.

Add chickpeas

Add the drained chickpeas to the food processor. With the machine running, drizzle the 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil and 2–3 tablespoons of reserved aquafaba (or the listed 3 tbsp) through the feed tube. Process for 1–2 minutes until thick and fairly smooth. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed.

Adjust texture

If the hummus is still too thick or grainy, while the processor runs add up to 2 tablespoons cold water (one tablespoon at a time) until you reach a creamy, spreadable consistency.

Final seasoning and refine

Taste and adjust seasoning: add more salt, lemon juice, or cumin if desired. Process briefly (10–20 seconds) after any adjustment to integrate flavors.

Plate and garnish

Spoon the hummus into a shallow serving bowl, use the back of a spoon to create a shallow well in the center. Drizzle 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil over the top, sprinkle the smoked paprika or sumac, and scatter chopped parsley if using.

Serve immediately with pita, vegetables, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.