Authentic Lebanese Hummus: The Best Hummus You’ll Ever Taste

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Lebanese hummus is known for its smooth and creamy texture, and it’s truly the best hummus you’ll ever taste. This easy-to-make dip requires just a few simple ingredients, and you can have it ready in minutes.

It could be said that I am biased toward Lebanese food. I am, after all, a very proud Lebanese American. We are known for hospitality, warmth, and love for food. Especially food.

Now, when it comes to food, the Lebanese are known for making the best hummus! There are a couple of tricks I use when making authentic Lebanese hummus. I will walk you through each step. The result will be the smoothest and creamiest hummus you have ever had!

What is Hummus?

Hummus is a traditional Middle Eastern dip made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. It is a creamy and flavorful dip that can be enjoyed on its own with pita bread, vegetables, or crackers.

Hummus has been a part of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines for centuries and is now popular worldwide. Store-bought hummus has become popular because of its convenience, but it often has a coarse texture and less rich flavor than the homemade version.

Traditional Lebanese hummus is easy to make and worth the few extra minutes of work. This recipe produces a smooth and creamy hummus with a rich and authentic flavor. Once you try it, you will always go with the homemade version!

Ingredients

• Baking soda: This alkaline ingredient helps to soften the chickpeas and loosen their skins, making them easier to remove. This results in a smoother and creamier hummus.
• Chickpeas (garbanzo beans): Chickpeas are the star ingredient in hummus, providing a dense and nutty flavor. Canned chickpeas are convenient, but dried chickpeas will give you the best flavor if you have the time to soak and cook them.
• Fresh lemon juice: Lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the recipe, balancing out the richness of the tahini.
• Garlic cloves: Garlic adds a savory and pungent flavor. Be careful not to add too much garlic; it can quickly overtake the delicate balance of flavors.
• Ice cubes: Ice cubes help to create a smooth and creamy hummus by absorbing excess water from the chickpeas.
• Olive oil: Olive oil adds a touch of richness and flavor. Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best results.
• Tahini: Tahini is a ground sesame paste that gives hummus its signature flavor. Look for a tahini that is made from hulled sesame seeds.

Instructions

Step One: Prep –

1. Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
2. Place the chickpeas in a bowl of warm water, covering them by about 1 inch.
3. Sprinkle in the baking soda and let soak for 5-10 minutes.
4. Gently rub or pinch 5-7 chickpeas to remove the skins. The friction will cause the skins to fall off. You don’t have to remove all of the skins, but aim to remove about 80%.

Step Two: Blend Ingredients –

1. Add the chickpeas to a food processor and pulse for 3 minutes, until they form a rough paste.
2. Add the lemon juice, tahini, garlic, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and salt to the food processor. Pulse until smooth.

Step Three: Ice Cubes –

1. Add 2 ice cubes to the food processor and pulse until smooth. 
2. This should take about 2-3 minutes, depending on your food processor.

Step Four: Serve –

1. Spoon the hummus onto a small plate.
2. Using the back of a spoon, carve out 1-2 wells in the hummus.
3. Drizzle each well with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
4. (Optional) Dust the top with paprika.

Hummus Topping Suggestions

Authentic Lebanese hummus is traditionally served on a small plate or bowl. Then, using the back of a spoon, create swirls. Fill the swirls with extra virgin olive oil. Then, add a sprinkle of paprika on four sides, like compass points (N, E, S, W).

While it’s great on its own, adding toppings to hummus can take its flavor to a new level. Toppings can add texture, color, and depth of flavor to the dip, and endless possibilities exist. Here are a few of my favorite toppings.

Hummus Dipper Suggestions

One of the best things about hummus is that so many different foods can be dipped into it. The typical dips in the US are vegetables, but many other possibilities exist. Keep reading for just a few ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Authentic Lebanese Hummus: The Smoothest and Creamiest Hummus You’ll Ever Taste!

Authentic Lebanese hummus is smooth, creamy, and has a touch of lemon. One bite and you'll never want to go back to store-bought hummus again! It only takes a couple of extra steps, and it's so worth the extra work.

4.82 from 11 votes

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Course: Appetizer, dips, Spread

Cuisine: American, Arabic, Lebanese

Keyword: Chickpea, Dip, Lebanese, Middle Eastern, recipe

Servings: 8 people

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ruth Grindeland

1x2x3x

Equipment

• 1 Food Processor
• 1 Strainer

Ingredients

• ▢ 15 ounces canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
• ▢ 1 and ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ▢ ¼ cup lemon juice
• ▢ 2 tablespoons tahini
• ▢ 1 whole garlic clove
• ▢ 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (divided)
• ▢ 1 pinch salt
• ▢ 2 ice cubes
• ▢ 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Step One: Prep

• Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
• Place the chickpeas in a bowl of warm water, covering them by about 1 inch.
• Sprinkle in the baking soda and let soak for 5-10 minutes.
• Gently rub or pinch 5-7 chickpeas to remove the skins. The friction will cause the skins to fall off. You don’t have to remove all of the skins, but aim to remove about 80%.

Step Two: Blend Ingredients

• Add the chickpeas to a food processor and pulse for 3 minutes, until they form a rough paste.
• Add the lemon juice, tahini, garlic, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and salt to the food processor. Pulse until smooth.

Step Three: Ice Cubes

• Add 2 ice cubes to the food processor and pulse until smooth. This should take about 2-3 minutes, depending on your food processor.

Step Four: Serve

• Spoon the hummus onto a small plate.
• Using the back of a spoon, carve out 1-2 wells in the hummus.
• Drizzle each well with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• (Optional) Dust the hummus with paprika.

Video

Notes

I recommend using extra virgin olive oil for a richer flavor.

When serving hummus as a dip, I like to add toppings to create a visually appealing presentation. My favorite toppings include:

• Kalamata olives
• Quartered cherry tomatoes
• Parsely
• Feta cheese

Pita bread, carrots, tomatoes, and celery are also popular dip accompaniments.

Storing

To store hummus in the refrigerator, place it in an airtight container for up to one week. I do not recommend freezing hummus, as it can change the texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Authentic Lebanese Hummus: The Smoothest and Creamiest Hummus You'll Ever Taste!

Amount Per Serving

Calories 25 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Sodium 143mg6%

Potassium 27mg1%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 3IU0%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 7mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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