If you like Hummus (or Hummus bi Tahina), you'll love my easy Authentic Lebanese Hummus recipe! Who knew mixing simple ingredients like chickpeas, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and tahini, in the right proportions, can result in such a delicious dish? Serve with some Middle Eastern pita bread or Iraqi khubz.
Although everyone is familiar with Lebanese hummus these days, I remember a time when I would take some to a potluck and no one knew what it was.
At times, I practically had to beg my co-workers to just taste it. In fact, I even had to bribe my husband to try it by making a spicy version (I'll tell you about it later in this post).
So, if you enjoy Mediterranean dips like this Tirokafteri (Greek Feta Dip) and Ful Medames, you'll love this easy and authentic Lebanese hummus recipe! And if you want to kick it up a notch, swirl a bit of green harissa into it, or try my new loaded hummus recipe!
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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- My homemade Lebanese hummus recipe is a million times better than anything you can find in a store. I am often told by friends that this is the BEST hummus recipe they've ever tried.
- Once you learn how easy it is to make this authentic hummus recipe, you'll never buy pre-made hummus again!
- Lebanese hummus makes a wonderful, healthy snack when served with veggies, especially carrots.
- This is a fairly simple recipe, probably one of the simplest I'll ever share. In fact, you only need a handful of ingredients and a food processor or a blender.
- You can adjust this authentic hummus recipe to your liking. For example, garlic lovers can add more cloves of garlic, and those who are addicted to spicy food can add a serrano or a habanero pepper. You can also just sprinkle the hummus with cayenne pepper or swirl in some of this yummy alternative for harissa paste!
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Garbanzo Beans — Hummus can be made with dried chickpeas or canned garbanzo beans. Canned garbanzo beans are more convenient and don't require soaking overnight, so that's usually what I end up using.
- Tahini — Tahini is made by grinding sesame seeds into a paste. If you don't want to purchase tahini online, you can make it yourself using my simple two-ingredient tahini paste recipe.
- Serranos — Serrano peppers are not usually added to hummus, however, I add them occasionally, when preparing hummus for my husband, who can't get enough of spicy food!
- Paprika — Paprika is usually sprinkled on hummus just before serving. You can also use cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Oil — No hummus recipe is complete without some extra virgin olive oil. The higher the quality, the better!
- Garnish — Save a few chickpeas to use as garnish, and don't forget some fresh parsley for a beautiful pop of color. You can also sprinkle this substitute for zaatar for added flavor.
🥙 How to Make Authentic Lebanese Hummus
Step 1: Drain the garbanzo beans, reserving a few tablespoons of the liquid for later use. Add garbanzo beans to a food processor, along with 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
Step 2: Add lemon juice, tahini, garlic, and salt. Pulse until you have a smooth texture. Add some reserved liquid from the garbanzo beans to achieve the right consistency, if necessary.
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🍽 Plating Instructions
To serve this authentic hummus recipe, transfer to a deep plate or bowl and smooth with the back of a spoon. Create a well in the center and drizzle the remaining olive oil into it. Sprinkle hummus with paprika or cayenne pepper before serving.
What readers are saying...
Amazing Hummus, loved it. I have never made it before; I always bought it from the market. I noticed a huge difference in Hilda’s hummus recipe. It’s simple to make, with only a few ingredients. This is definitely a crowd-pleaser for entertaining your guests
—Teresa
🥗 Serving Suggestions
Of course, you know how to serve Lebanese hummus with freshly baked Greek pita bread, lavash bread, or pita chips, but why stop there? I love to serve it as a side with Lahm Bi Ajeen, zaatar bread, and an Israeli sabich sandwich. It's also great as part of a mezze platter with other popular dishes like Lebanese Fattoush Salad and Lebanese Tabbouleh.
If you love chickpeas as much as I do, you'll want to try this sweet and slightly spicy General Tso's Chickpeas recipe from Allie at naturallieplantbased.com. It's flavorful and easy to prepare!
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
Hummus has been a staple in the Middle East for hundreds of years. In fact, the earliest recorded recipe dates back to the 13th century.
Some claim the recipe originated in Turkey. Others claim it's a Lebanese recipe, while some insist it's an Israeli dish. As with many Middle Eastern recipes, it's hard to determine the exact origin of the recipe, and the matter will be argued no matter who you give the credit to.
"Hummus" is the Arabic word for "chickpeas." In the Middle East, this dish is actually called "Hummus bi Tahina," which means "chickpeas with tahini."
Besides being served with pita bread as “Mezza” or “appetizer,” it is also served as a side dish with stews, chicken, shish kabobs, shawarma, and falafel wraps.
You can also use it as a sandwich spread and add it to your favorite wraps, especially in a Sabich Sandwich.
Although Hummus used to be prepared with a blend of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, these days, all kinds of ingredients are incorporated into this dish. Here are a few ingredients that can be added to the food processor before blending the chickpeas.
• roasted sweet peppers
• avocados
• olives
• roasted garlic
• chipotle peppers
• sundried tomatoes
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- I've never been a huge fan of cumin, so I've never added it to my hummus mixture. If you do like it, feel free to add some- Remember, a little goes a long way!
- Sprinkling hummus with my Za'atar Substitute gives it a delicious, nutty, earthy flavor.
- Instead of drizzling hummus with olive oil, drizzle it with sesame oil; it's a great way to incorporate even more sesame flavor.
- For a spicier version, blend in a serrano pepper or slice into rings and top the hummus before serving.
- Store leftover hummus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
🥣 More Middle Eastern Recipes
📖 Recipe
Authentic Lebanese Hummus Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz garbanzo beans (canned)
- ¼ cup olive oil (divided)
- ¼ cup lemon juice (fresh)
- 3 tablespoon tahini
- 3 cloves garlic (or roasted garlic)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika (or cayenne pepper)
Instructions
- Drain garbanzo bean, reserving a few tablespoons of the liquid for later use. Add garbanzo beans to a food processor, along with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Reserve the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add lemon juice, tahini, garlic, and salt. Pulse until you have a smooth texture. Add some reserved liquid from the garbanzo beans to achieve the right consistency, if necessary.
Serving Suggestions
- To serve, transfer the hummus to a deep plate or bowl and smooth with the back of a spoon. Create a well in the center and drizzle the remaining olive oil into it. Sprinkle the hummus with paprika or cayenne pepper. Serve plated hummus with pita chips or pita bread.
Notes
- I've never been a huge fan of cumin, so I've never added it to my hummus mixture. If you do like it, feel free to add some. Remember, a little goes a long way!
- Sprinkling hummus with this Za'atar Substitute gives it a delicious, nutty, earthy flavor.
- Instead of drizzling hummus with olive oil, drizzle it with sesame oil; it's a great way to incorporate even more sesame flavor.
- For a spicier version, blend in a serrano pepper or slice into rings and top the hummus before serving.
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TERESA EVERS says
Amazing Hummus, loved it. I have never made it before, I always bought it from the market. I noticed a huge difference in Hilda’s hummus recipe. It’s simple to make, with only a few ingredients. This is definitely a crowd pleaser for entertaining your guests.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Teresa, I think if more people knew how easy hummus is to make, they'd prepare it themselves instead of buying it!
Laura says
Indeed the best hummus I've ever tried!! Rich and full of flavor! Great for parties and entertaining because it's pairs great with pita and crackers! Just gotta be sure to make enough because it's a crowd pleaser!!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you, thank you! I appreciate the kind words!
Kelly Methey says
I absolutely love hummus and this recipe did not disappoint! It is so flavorful and good for such a simple and easy recipe. I love the suggestions of adding spices like za’atar, sumac, cayenne for a nice kick and paprika that makes it pretty as well as tastes good. This is fantastic with your pita bread recipe.
Hilda Sterner says
I know how much you love hummus and glad this one did not disappoint. Thank you, Kelly!
Kathy Fisher says
Just tasted this recipe. Delicious. Sprinkling with Za'atar seasoning was really good. Cumin too. Also, I liked sprinking summac. All great additions. Hummus on Hilda's Pita Pockets is a home run.
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you Kathy for your great review, it's appreciated!
Gill says
What a wonderful tasting Hummus. I will be using this recipe, many more times.
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Gill,
Thank you so much for your review, enjoy!!