Hummus Without Tahini

(1)

You won't miss the tahini in this tangy, creamy dip recipe.

Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
0 mins
Total Time:
10 mins
Servings:
20
Yield:
Makes 2 1/2 cups

Our hummus without tahini recipe makes a dip that is just as smooth, creamy, and delicious as the original but suitable for those who may not like the taste of—or are allergic to—the sesame paste. And then there are the home cooks who want to make hummus, but find they are fresh out of the ingredient. Luckily, there are many ways to make hummus without tahini. This recipe is our favorite; it adds a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt to the chickpea, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil mixture. Best of all, it results in a hummus with a silky texture that's just right for snacking or spreading.

hummus with vegetables and pita chips

Benefits of Making Hummus at Home

You may be used to seeing hummus at the grocery store or on restaurant menus and think it's complicated to make at home, but that couldn't be further than the truth. Hummus is made with a few basic ingredients, and with the help of a food processor, it comes together in mere minutes. It's also a cost-effective way to feed yourself—or your friends and family—a delicious, protein-packed snack.

Even better, making it yourself allows you to control the ingredients you add. (Case in point: This tahini-free recipe!).

  • If you're watching your salt: Use reduced-sodium chickpeas and leave out the salt at the end.
  • For a tangier flavor: Increase the amount of lemon juice or add an extra tablespoon of Greek yogurt.
  • Prefer a thinner consistency: Add some of the reserved chickpea liquid when blending.

Once you see how simple—and affordable—it is to make it yourself, you may just find yourself skipping the store-bought stuff entirely.

For the smoothest hummus, remove the skins from the chickpeas before blending. It's time-consuming task, but it's worth it for the ultra-silky result.

Directions

  1. Mash garlic with salt:

    Sprinkle garlic clove with 1/4 teaspoon salt and mash with the back of a knife to form a paste.

  2. Blend with remaining ingredients until smooth:

    Add to food processor along with chickpeas, lemon juice, cumin, nutmeg, and yogurt. Process until hummus comes together, then stream in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add more if needed to reach a smooth consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

    If hummus looks stiff, add reserved liquid from chickpeas a splash at a time to reach desired consistency.

How to Store Homemade Hummus

Refrigerate leftover homemade hummus in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Ideas for Serving—and Using Up—Hummus

  • Serve hummus with pita chips and crudités as a nutritious snack
  • Spread a layer on sandwiches and wraps in place of other spreads
  • Top bowls of hummus with spiced ground beef or chicken and enjoy with pita for a protein-packed dinner
  • Use it in place of mayonnaise when making deviled eggs
  • Thin with olive oil and more lemon juice for a creamy, tangy salad dressing
  • Use it as a base for grilled vegetables for an easy side dish

5 More Easy Dip Recipes to Try

Updated by
Esther Reynolds
Headshot of Esther Reynolds
Esther Reynolds is an experienced recipe developer, recipe tester, food editor, and writer with over a decade of experience in the food and media industries.

Related Articles