Dessert

Creamy Homemade Hummus with Tahini and Lemon Recipe

Name: Creamy Homemade Hummus with Tahini and Lemon Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1/3 cup good-quality tahini; 2-4 tablespoons cold water, or more if needed; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt; 2 medium cloves garlic, peeled and smashed; Juice of 1 lemon (2-3 tablespoons); 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained; Extra drizzle of olive oil; Chopped fresh parsley; Sprinkle of ground sumac or paprika; Toasted pine nuts

Bylina Carter October 30, 2025October 30, 2025

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Introduction

Hummus is a creamy, flavorful Middle Eastern dip that’s both nutritious and easy to make at home. With simple ingredients like chickpeas, tahini, and lemon juice, it’s perfect for snacks, appetizers, or spreading on sandwiches.

The image shows a white bowl filled with creamy hummus, topped with a swirl of golden olive oil, sprinkled with red paprika, and small green herb pieces. Around the bowl, there are thin slices of light tan pita bread arranged in a fan shape on a white marbled surface. Next to the pita, slices of fresh green cucumber and orange carrot sticks are placed neatly, creating a colorful and fresh look. A woman's hand holds a piece of pita bread close to the bowl. The lighting is soft and natural, emphasizing the textures and colors of the food, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/3 cup good-quality tahini
2-4 tablespoons cold water, or more if needed

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 medium cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

Juice of 1 lemon (2-3 tablespoons)
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
Optional toppings: extra drizzle of olive oil, chopped fresh parsley, sprinkle of ground sumac or paprika, toasted pine nuts

Instructions

Step 1: Add tahini, cold water, olive oil, cumin, salt, garlic, and lemon juice to a food processor. Puree until smooth.
Step 2: Add the chickpeas and puree for 3-4 minutes, pausing halfway to scrape down the sides of the bowl, until the hummus is smooth. If it seems too thick, add another tablespoon or two of water.
Step 3: Taste and season with additional salt, cumin, and/or lemon juice as needed.

Step 4: Serve immediately, garnished with your desired toppings. Or transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Tips & Variations

For an extra creamy texture, peel the chickpeas before blending.
If you prefer a smokier flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika.

Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest taste.
Try swapping half the chickpeas for roasted red peppers to make red pepper hummus.

Storage

Store hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving, stir well and add a little olive oil if needed to refresh the texture. It can also be frozen for up to one month; thaw overnight in the fridge and stir before serving.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with creamy hummus topped with a swirl of golden olive oil and sprinkled with red spices and green herbs sits in the center. Surrounding the bowl are slices of cucumber, orange carrot sticks, and yellow bell pepper strips arranged neatly in layers. To the left, pieces of pita bread are stacked, showing a soft texture with slight browning. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make hummus without a food processor?

While a food processor yields the creamiest hummus, you can use a blender or even mash the ingredients by hand for a chunkier texture.

What can I use instead of tahini?

If you don’t have tahini, try using natural peanut butter or almond butter as a substitute, though the flavor will be different from traditional hummus.