Creamy Ina Garten Hummus Recipe: Perfection in Minutes

Chickpeas blend into a creamy, flavorful dip that speaks of the Mediterranean.

Smooth tahini and lemon brighten each bite with subtle depth.

Garlic and olive oil complete the silky spread with savory notes.

It’s quick to prepare but makes a lasting impression.

Customize it easily with herbs, spices, or toppings.

This dip earns its place on every appetizer table.

Why Ina’s Hummus Is Smooth and Packed With Flavor

• Blast of Flavor Complexity: Ina Garten's hummus recipe combines multiple bold ingredients like tangy lemon juice, spicy Tabasco, and rich tahini, creating a multi-layered taste experience that goes beyond traditional hummus.
• Super Quick Preparation: This recipe requires minimal cooking skills and just one kitchen tool – a food processor – making it incredibly accessible for home cooks of all experience levels, with total preparation time under 10 minutes.
• Customizable Texture Magic: The smart technique of adjusting consistency by adding reserved chickpea liquid or extra lemon juice allows home chefs to personalize the hummus thickness exactly to their preference, ensuring perfect dipping or spreading results every single time.
• Make-Ahead Flavor Enhancement: Refrigerating the hummus for several hours before serving allows ingredients to meld together, intensifying the overall taste profile and creating a more sophisticated dip that tastes even better after resting.

Ingredients That Make This Hummus So Dreamy

• Chickpeas: Creamy legume that forms the hearty foundation of traditional hummus, with a mild nutty flavor.
• Tahini: Smooth sesame seed paste that adds richness and authentic Middle Eastern character.
• Garlic: Pungent aromatic that provides sharp depth and classic hummus flavor profile.

• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that balances flavors and adds tangy freshness.
• Reserved Chickpea Liquid: Starchy cooking liquid that helps achieve perfect smooth consistency.
• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that brings out the natural taste of other ingredients.

• Tabasco: Spicy hot sauce that introduces optional heat and extra zesty dimension to the hummus.

How to Blend Hummus for That Silky Finish

Step 1: Gather Your Hummus Heroes

• Chickpeas
• Tahini
• Garlic cloves
• Fresh lemon
• Tabasco sauce
• Salt

Make sure your food processor is clean and ready for action.

Step 2: Blend Like a Pro

Drop chickpeas, reserved liquid, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, Tabasco, and salt into the food processor. Pulse and blend until the mixture becomes a delightful, chunky consistency. Don’t aim for total smoothness – texture is your friend!

Step 3: Perfect the Velvety Texture

Check the hummus thickness. If it feels too dense, splash in extra lemon juice or chickpea liquid. Stir gently and taste as you go. Your goal is a creamy, spreadable delight that’s not too thick or thin.

Step 4: Let Flavors Dance

Cover your hummus and tuck it into the refrigerator. Let it chill for a few hours, allowing all those incredible flavors to mingle and get to know each other. This resting time transforms good hummus into great hummus.

Step 5: Final Flavor Tune-Up

Before serving, give your hummus a quick taste test. Adjust seasonings if needed – maybe a pinch more salt or a dash of Tabasco. Trust your taste buds and make it uniquely yours.

Tips to Make Hummus Creamier Than Ever

• Squeeze Fresh Citrus: Ditch bottled lemon juice and opt for freshly squeezed lemons to elevate your hummus with a bright, zesty punch that transforms the entire flavor profile.
• Leverage Chickpea Liquid: Save the liquid from canned chickpeas as a secret weapon for achieving that perfectly smooth, creamy consistency when blending your hummus.
• Master Blending Technique: Extend your blending time beyond what you might expect to break down chickpeas and tahini completely, creating an incredibly silky and luxurious texture.
• Personalize Your Flavor: Experiment with additional garlic, salt, or lemon to customize the hummus to your exact taste preferences, making each batch uniquely delicious.
• Let Flavors Marry: Refrigerate the hummus for a few hours before serving, allowing the ingredients to meld together and develop a more complex, harmonious flavor profile.

How to Store Hummus and Keep It Fresh

• Preserve Freshness: Seal hummus in an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain optimal flavor and prevent moisture absorption. Creating an airtight environment blocks bacteria growth and preserves the creamy texture.
• Freeze Smart: Portion leftover hummus into small freezer-safe containers before freezing to ensure easier thawing and minimize repeated freezing. Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent freezer burn and maintain smooth consistency when defrosting.
• Quick Refrigeration: Cool homemade hummus completely at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation buildup. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, and consume within 4-5 days for maximum flavor and food safety.

Tasty Variations That Put a New Spin on Hummus

• Mediterranean Herb Hummus: Blend fresh rosemary, parsley, and oregano into the mixture for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: Add charred roasted red peppers directly into the processor for a smoky, vibrant color and sweet undertone.
• Spicy Jalapeño Hummus: Incorporate fresh jalapeño peppers and a dash of cayenne for a fiery kick that elevates the traditional recipe's heat level.
• Beetroot Hummus: Mix roasted beetroot into the chickpea blend, creating a stunning deep purple hue with earthy undertones and enhanced nutritional value.

One Last Dip Into the Creamiest Hummus Bowl

Ina Garten’s hummus recipe reveals culinary magic with simple ingredients transformed into creamy Mediterranean bliss.

Mediterranean kitchens breathe life into each carefully crafted bite, celebrating chickpeas’ rich heritage.

Smooth textures and complex undertones make this hummus a memorable appetizer for gatherings large or small.

Eager readers, dive into this recipe, share your delicious results on social media, spark conversations, and spread Mediterranean cooking joy with friends and family.

Ina Garten Hummus Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Ina Garten Hummus elevates classic Mediterranean dip with silky chickpea perfection. Garlic, tahini, and fresh lemon create a luxurious blend that turns simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy appetizer you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (15.5 ounces) canned chickpeas, drained, liquid reserved
• ⅓ cup tahini or sesame paste
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)

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Instructions

1. Drain the canned chickpeas, reserving of the liquid, and transfer them to a food processor with a steel blade attachment.
2. Add tahini, minced garlic cloves, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Tabasco sauce, and kosher salt to the chickpeas in the food processor.
3. Pulse and blend the ingredients until a coarse, creamy purée forms, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
4. Evaluate the texture of the hummus, gradually incorporating additional reserved chickpea liquid or lemon juice to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
5. Taste the hummus and fine-tune the seasoning by adding more salt, Tabasco, or lemon juice according to personal preference.
6. Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2-3 hours to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
7. Before serving, give the hummus a gentle stir and adjust seasonings if needed, ensuring a well-balanced and flavorful dip.

Notes

• Elevate flavor by using freshly squeezed lemon juice, which brings a zesty brightness that bottled versions can’t match.
• Preserve chickpea liquid as a secret weapon for achieving that perfectly smooth, creamy consistency when blending.
• Extend blending time beyond your typical mixing to ensure tahini and chickpeas transform into an ultra-silky texture.
• Customize your hummus by tasting and tweaking seasonings, adding extra garlic, lemon, or salt until it hits your personal flavor sweet spot.
• Let the hummus rest in the refrigerator for a few hours, allowing complex flavors to develop and mingle for a more harmonious dip experience.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 70 kcal
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg