A Delicious and Authentic Lebanese Hummus Recipe

A Delicious and Authentic Lebanese Hummus Recipe

Do you love hummus?

If so, you’re going to love this authentic Lebanese hummus recipe.

This dish is made with simple ingredients yet it is easily the best hummus recipe and it’s incredibly delicious.

Plus, it’s super simple to make!

In this blog post, we will teach you how to make this traditional Lebanese hummus recipe from scratch.

So get ready to enjoy a bowl of the best hummus you’ve ever had!

What is Hummus and where does it originally come from?

Hummus is a delicious, healthy, and versatile dip or spread that originates from the Middle East.

It’s made from chickpeas (Garbanzo beans) or other beans, blended with tahini (ground sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, garlic cloves, and salt.

Hummus is a great source of protein and fiber, and it’s also low in calories and fat.

This tasty dip can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, and it’s also a great way to add more vegetables to your diet.

lebanese hummus serving suggestion

How I discovered this authentic Lebanese hummus recipe

I have a friend whose parents came from Lebanon and run a fantastic Lebanese restaurant in Newcastle, UK.

I was never a fan of store-bought hummus so when I tried the traditional Lebanese hummus from this restaurant I had to ask and get their recipe and learn how to make hummus myself.

It’s now my best hummus recipe and I love making it for friends and family.

They’re always impressed with how delicious and authentic it tastes!

It was so good and so simple I have been making and enjoying this authentic hummus recipe ever since.

What do you need to make traditional Lebanese hummus?

Lebanese hummus ingredients

You’ll need 4 key ingredients to make authentic Lebanese hummus:

  • Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans)
  • Tahini paste
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh Garlic Cloves
  • Extra virgin olive oil (optional, and yes I know this makes 5 but extra virgin olive oil is technically not a key ingredient for this hummus recipe)

It’s important to note that since there are only 4 simple ingredients to this recipe you should try to use only the very best quality.

To beat the pants off store-bought versions, I can’t stress enough how much it makes a difference.

Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans)

There are a few options when it comes to chickpeas.

  • Dried chickpeas will need to be cooked for quite a while in boiling water or in a pressure cooker (which will speed up the cooking time)
  • Boiled canned chickpeas. Boil the canned chickpeas for 10-15 minutes to allow them to soften. This ensures a deliciously smooth and creamy texture after they have been blended in the food processor.
  • Soaked canned chickpeas. You can soak a 15oz can of chickpeas for 5-10 minutes in warm water with 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder. After this simply peel off the skins and your chickpeas are ready to go. This method gives you the best texture to this delicious middle eastern classic dish.

Garlic

Always use fresh garlic cloves straight from the bulb for the best flavor.

Try and avoid using garlic powders or if your fresh garlic is sprouting, make sure to remove the shoot from the clove for the best flavor.

Tahini

Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds.

It’s used in many Middle Eastern dishes, and it’s a key ingredient in hummus.

Tahini is also a great source of protein and calcium.

Like anything else, tahini brands can be good and bad.

Depending on your budget the large tubs of tahini you can buy in middle eastern grocery stores are usually of a higher quality than the smaller jars found in supermarkets.

Both will still work well in this recipe but like anything, the higher the quality the better the outcome.

You’ll also need a food processor or blender to get the perfect smooth and creamy hummus consistency.

Lemon juice

When selecting the best lemons for juicing, go for lemons that are heavy for their size and have a bright, vibrant color.

Lemons with thinner skin will also have more juice.

You can use fresh-squeezed lemon juice or bottled lemon juice, both work fine.

But fresh juice is by far better in this Lebanese hummus recipe.


How to make this authentic Lebanese hummus recipe.

Prep the chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

simmer chickpeas in water

The first job in this homemade hummus recipe is to prepare the chickpeas.

Whether you are using dried, or canned varieties you need to give a bit of prep time and love to get that perfectly smooth and creamy consistency.

In this, I use canned chickpeas and I have simply simmered them in a pan for 10 to 15 minutes with a teaspoon of baking soda to help soften them nicely before blending.

This is the only real time-consuming part of the process as you will either be cooking the dry chickpeas in a pressure cooker, boiling canned ones, or soak and then peel the chickpeas.

Once you have done this stage, drain the chickpeas and add them to the blender and blend them into a powder before adding any of the other ingredients.

Finally, add the remaining ingredients

Add the tahini, fresh lemon juice, and garlic and blend on high for a good 5 minutes to get super smooth and creamy.

hummus made in food processor

Pro tip

If your hummus still appears a little grainy you can add a couple of ice cubes to the food processor and continue to blend on high for another few minutes.

Next, simply taste and adjust.

You can add a little salt if necessary, or more fresh lemon juice or garlic if you aren’t happy with the amount of flavor coming through.

It all depends on your taste preference so measurements in the recipe card are as a guide only.

Give it a taste and adjust to your own tastes guys!


Top tips for making this best hummus

Use baking soda when cooking chickpeas: Adding baking soda at this step is the best way to get that smooth and creamy consistency.

Baking soda will help to break down the skins of the chickpeas so they blend more easily and produce a much creamier result.

Adding ice cubes: This is a miracle trick!!

Adding ice cubes give the hummus almost a whipped ice cream-like texture, which is how an authentic hummus recipe should be.

Use a high-powered food processor: I can’t stress enough how the need for a high-speed food processor can make such a massive difference in the quality of the texture of homemade hummus.

People in the middle east traditionally make hummus by grinding the chickpeas with a mortar and pestle, which takes forever.

The good news is that you don’t have to go to those lengths these days because we have access to amazing food processors that do all the work for us.

So invest in a top-quality food processor like this one for your homemade hummus recipes and many more amazing recipes that can be made with it.

hummus served with roasted vegetables
Print

Authentic Lebanese Hummus

Course Snack
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4

Equipment

  • 1 food processor
  • 1 Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 150 grams canned chickpeas
  • 1/2 cup Tahini paste
  • juice of half a lemon
  • 1 clove garlic

Instructions

  • Add the chickpeas to the saucepan and cover with water. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until tender.
  • Add the cooked chickpeas to the food processor and blend on high until the resemble a fine crumble.
  • Add the tahini, garlic, lemon juice and a pinch of seasalt and blend on high for 3-4 minutes until smooth and creamy.
    You may need to stop the food processor halfway through to scrape any ingredients stuck to the side of the mixing bowl.
  • If the consistency is not super creamy and smooth add one ice cube and blend for a further two minutes.
  • Serve in a bowl as it is or garnished with your favourite toppings.

Commonly asked questions

What to add to hummus to make it taste better?

There are a few things you can add to your hummus recipe to give it an extra flavor boost:

  • A sprinkle of smoked paprika or cumin will give it a nice smoky flavor.
  • Adding fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, or mint will brighten up the flavors.
  • For a bit of sweetness, you can add a drizzle of honey or date syrup.
  • For some heat, you can add a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne pepper.

Can I freeze hummus?

Hummus freezes well!

Just transfer it to an airtight container and it will last for up to three months in the freezer.

When you’re ready to eat it, simply thaw it overnight in the fridge and give it a good stir before serving.

What to serve with homemade hummus?

hummus served with roasted vegetables

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy hummus! Here are a few of my favorites:

  • As a dip with fresh veggies or pita chips
  • On a sandwich or wrap in place of mayo or mustard
  • As a healthy snack with crackers or pretzels
  • As a base for veggie bowls or salads
  • As a sauce for pasta or cooked veggies

The possibilities are endless! Just get creative and enjoy!

Wrapping up

I hope you enjoy this authentic Lebanese hummus recipe!

If you try it, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below.

And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you make it! I love seeing your creations!

Thanks for reading as always

picture of blog signature