5-Minute Hummus with Tahini and Fresh Garlic

What is Hummus?

Fair question! Hummus is a delightfully delicious dip or spread that originates from the Middle East. It has become very popular here in the United States because it’s healthy, delicious, and super versatile. Plus, it’s crazy easy to make. Let me show you how!

Is Hummus Good For You? YES!

Absolutely! Hummus is not only delicious but also a healthy addition to your diet. Made from chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, hummus is packed with nutritional benefits.

Chickpeas are an excellent source of:

• plant-based protein
• dietary fiber
• various essential minerals (like iron, magnesium, and phosphorus)

Tahini, made from sesame seeds, adds healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals to the mix. Additionally, garlic and olive oil provide antioxidant properties and heart-healthy benefits.

So, go ahead and enjoy some homemade hummus! Just remember to opt for whole grain pita, fresh vegetables, or other nutritious dippers to make it a well-rounded and wholesome snack or meal.

Ingredients & Substitutions:

The key to becoming a healthy home cook is to get comfortable with everyday ingredients and making substitutions. Use this hummus recipe as your blueprint and then tweak and adjust it to make it work for you!

• Chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) are the base for hummus. I always opt for canned chickpeas as this keeps homemade hummus super quick and easy. Simply rinse them under some cold water and they are ready to go.
• Garlic adds the perfect kick of flavor to this hummus recipe. I usually choose fresh garlic for its bold, zingy flavor but if you prefer a sweeter, creamier garlic flavor you can use roasted garlic instead.
• Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds (think peanut butter or almond butter but made with sesame seeds). It adds a rich, creamy texture and nutty flavor to the hummus that is hard to beat. But in a pinch, if you’re out of tahini, you can sub in another nut butter in its place.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil adds a velvety texture to the hummus. I also like to drizzle a bit over the top when serving this for family and friends. This is the time to use a good, high-quality olive oil with a rich, fruity flavor!
• Lemon Juice brings a bright, fresh flavor to this recipe. Fresh is best but in a pinch, bottled lemon juice can get the job done.
• Ground Cumin and Sea Salt really bring the flavors of this hummus together. The cumin has a nice smokey flavor without too much heat and the salt makes everything pop.
• Ice Cold Water is the secret ingredient to making light, fluffy hummus that doesn’t require an excess of oil. Simply add the cold water to the food processor, a couple of tablespoons at a time, until you have your dream hummus consistency. I promise this easy tip is a game-changer.

Making Hummus Without Tahini is absolutely an option. This recipe only calls for one tablespoon of tahini so you can easily skip it and add a bit more olive oil or water. Alternatively, you can sub in almond butter or peanut butter in a pinch as well – no one will ever know!

How To Make 5-Minute Hummus with Tahini (Step-by-Step)

When I tell you this hummus only takes 5 minutes to make, I mean it! All you need is a food processor (I love my 4-cup mini processor!) and you are ready to make some QUICK homemade hummus.

1. Start by adding the raw garlic to the food processor to break it down. This ensures no one will end up with a big piece of garlic in their mouth and also helps the garlic to release all of its delicious flavors.
2. Next, add in the rinsed chickpeas, tahini, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, ground cumin, sea salt, and a couple of tablespoons of ice-cold water. Pulse back and forth until you have a nice creamy texture.
3. Add extra ice water as desired. I find 4-6 tablespoons to be the perfect amount to create a light, fluffy hummus without using an excess of oil, but you can experiment a bit to get it exactly how you like it.

Once you’ve got this base recipe down you can add in lots of different flavors and ingredients.  A few of my favorite add-ins are roasted peppers, artichokes, and kalamata olives – and- I absolutely adore this Cilantro Avocado Hummus variety as well.

Storage Tips

How long does homemade hummus last? If you make this hummus recipe, it should last for about one week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Homemade hummus does not stay fresh as long as storebought because it doesn’t have preservatives, but adding lemon juice may help to keep it fresh for a bit longer.

Can you freeze hummus? Yep! Any leftover hummus can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.