Hummus is incredibly delicious and easy to make. In its simplest form, hummus consists of boiled and mashed garbanzo beans mixed with tahini sauce and drizzled with olive oil garnished with a generous dash of lemon juice. Today, Hummus is not only popular in the Mediterranean countries; it is also considered a delicious and healthy condiment all around the globe. Let us study some easy hummus recipes with and without a food processor. We will also cover some tips to make hummus smoother.
1. Basic hummus recipe with tahini in a food processor
The basic hummus ingredients include garbanzo beans, tahini, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and salt. If you are using canned garbanzo beans, simply drain them and rinse them in running water before using.
Ingredients
- 2 cups garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup tahini
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 3-4 tbsp lemon juice
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- Salt to taste
Blend all the ingredients (except the olive oil and lemon juice) in a food processor on medium speed. Add the olive oil slowly and continue to blend until you get a smooth texture. Finally, add the lemon juice and blend for a minute. For a smoother, creamier texture, add a tablespoon of water. Transfer the contents to a serving bowl. Hummus tastes best when served with a chilled platter of zucchini, carrots, and other veggies.
2. Hummus without tahini in food processor
Many people want to know how to make hummus without tahini. A great alternative to tahini is peanut butter. The rest of the hummus ingredients remain the same.
Ingredients
- 2 cups garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 2/3rd cup peanut butter
- 3 ½ tbsp olive oil
- 3-4 tbsp lemon juice
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- Salt to taste
To make the hummus, churn the garbanzo beans in a food processor. Next, add peanut butter, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and salt. Blend on high speed for a few minutes. Add water for a smoother, creamier texture. Transfer contents to a serving bowl. You can refrigerate the hummus or serve it at room temperature. This recipe tastes best with pita bread or as a sandwich spread.
3. Horseradish hummus
A bit of horseradish adds an interesting twist to the authentic hummus recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups boiled garbanzo beans
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbsp each lemon juice and horseradish
- 1 tbsp tahini
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- Place all ingredients in a food processor
- Blend on medium speed until smooth and creamy
- Cover and refrigerate
- Enjoy chilled.
4. Authentic hummus recipe without a food processor
Classic or authentic hummus is best made in a food processor because that imparts a creamier and smoother texture to the hummus. However, not everybody owns a food processor. Thankfully, one can use a blender instead. Make sure you have a sturdy, high-speed blender that crushes and pulverizes food. Also, if you are looking for a smoother texture, go in for canned garbanzo beans. If you use regular garbanzo beans, then make sure you soak them overnight and peel them to remove their skins before grinding.
Secondly, in order to make hummus smoother, always make an emulsion. This means that you must layer the liquid ingredients first and only then add the chickpeas in the blender. Here is an authentic hummus recipe in a blender:
- 6 tbsp tahini
- 1/3rd cup water
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove peeled and chopped
- 1 can of drained and rinsed garbanzo beans
- ¼ tsp cumin powder/ground cumin
- Salt, pepper, and paprika to taste
Method
- In the blender, add the tahini, water, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, cumin, and chickpeas in this order. Blend on high speed for a minute. Open the lid, scrape down the sides and blend again.
- Once the desired consistency is attained, transfer contents to a bowl or an airtight container. Cover with a plastic wrap and allow the flavors to meld before serving.
- You can store the hummus for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Before serving, add a bit of olive oil or water to loosen it up a bit.
Variations
- Red pepper hummus – Instead of cumin, add roasted, red peppers rinsed and patted dry, to the blender.
- Lemony herb hummus – Add the zest of a lemon and fresh diced dill along with chopped mint leaves.
5. Italian style hummus
Oregano and sundried tomatoes make this hummus a great accompaniment to Italian bread, garlic bread, tortilla chips, etc.
- 2 cups garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
- 3 tbsp each olive oil and lemon juice
- 1 ½ tbsp oregano
- 1/8th cup sundried tomatoes (add these at the end in the blender/food processor as we want to crumble them and not mash them)
- 1 tbsp green and black olives for garnish (Do not blend in the olives)
- Salt to taste
Method
- In a blender, add all ingredients, except sundried tomatoes.
- Blend on high speed for a minute.
- Finally, add the tomatoes and blend for a few seconds.
- Garnish with olives.
6. Guaca-Hummus/healthy avocado hummus recipe (without tahini)
Avocados make a healthy addition to the classic hummus recipe.
- 2 cups garbanzo beans drained
- Ripe avocados, pitted and pulp removed – 2
- Jalapenos – 2
- 3-4 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves
- Salt to taste
Blend all ingredients in a food processor. Add a bit of water for a smoother consistency. For spicier hummus, add some more jalapenos. Transfer contents to a bowl and serve at room temperature. Guaca hummus tastes best with chilled celery sticks.
7. Greek hummus (without tahini)
This Greek-style hummus contains feta cheese and the addition of spinach enhances the health benefits of this recipe.
- 2 cups garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup feta cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 3-4 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
- Salt to taste
Method
- In a blender or food processor, add the feta and garbanzo beans. Beat until a smooth texture is obtained.
- Next, add spinach, lemon juice, cinnamon powder, salt, and stir for a few seconds.
- Transfer contents to a bowl.
- Cinnamon powder not only enhances the taste of the hummus, it also extends its shelf life.
- Serve this hummus with chilled cucumber sticks.
8. Black bean hummus
Who says you can only make hummus with garbanzo beans? Use black beans as a variation to the classic hummus recipe:
- 1 ½ cups black beans cooked
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 2 ½ tbsp olive oil
- Lime juice of half a lime
- ½ tsp cumin and chili powder
- 1-2 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- In a blender or a food processor, add all ingredients except cilantro and blend on medium speed.
- Once smooth, add the cilantro and flavor with salt and pepper.
- Serve with vegetables, pita bread, or tortilla chips.