Authentic Hummus Recipe (Creamy Middle Eastern Chickpea Dip)
Learn how to make authentic hummus with dried chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. This easy step-by-step recipe creates ultra-creamy, restaurant-quality hummus that's perfect as a dip, spread, or traditional meze.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- Water for soaking
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ⅓ cup tahini
- 3 –4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 –6 tbsp ice-cold water
- ¼ tsp ground cumin optional
For Garnish
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Paprika
- Chopped parsley
- Whole cooked chickpeas
- Aleppo pepper optional
Instructions
- Soak the Chickpeas
- Cover dried chickpeas with plenty of cold water and soak for 12–18 hours.
- Cook the Chickpeas
- Drain, add fresh water and baking soda, then simmer for 60–90 minutes until extremely soft.
- Prepare the Tahini Base
- Blend tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt for 1 minute until smooth and fluffy.
- Blend the Hummus
- Add warm chickpeas gradually while blending.
- Adjust the Texture
- Slowly add ice-cold water until smooth and creamy.
- Blend Longer
- Continue blending for another 3–5 minutes.
- Taste
- Adjust salt or lemon juice if necessary.
- Serve
- Transfer to a shallow bowl, create swirls with a spoon and garnish with olive oil, paprika, parsley and whole chickpeas.
Notes
- Dried chickpeas always produce a creamier texture than canned.
- Blend tahini before adding chickpeas.
- Ice-cold water creates a lighter, fluffier consistency.
- Rest the hummus for 20–30 minutes before serving.
- Refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.