Nitrate & Nitrite Free Classic Hummus (Smooth Style)
Creamy, dreamy, and endlessly versatile, this smooth-style hummus is the kind of dip that disappears from the table before you've even set out the pita. Every ingredient here is whole and straightforward — chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic, cumin — so there's no guesswork about what's actually going into the bowl. That matters more than people realize, because many store-bought dips and spreads sneak in preservatives and additives that aren't always obvious on the label. Making it from scratch puts you fully in control, and the process is genuinely simple: a food processor, a handful of pantry staples, and about five minutes of active effort. The trick to that silky, restaurant-quality texture is processing the tahini and lemon juice first until pale and whipped, then letting the ice water do its magic to loosen everything into a light, flowing consistency. Finished with a swirl of good olive oil and a dusting of paprika, it looks as impressive as anything you'd order out. Keep a batch in the fridge and you've got a clean, satisfying snack ready whenever hunger strikes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup well-stirred tahini
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 small garlic clove, roughly chopped
- ¾ tsp fine salt, plus more to taste
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 3–4 tbsp ice water, as needed
For serving
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for serving
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika or sweet paprika, for serving (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add the garlic and salt to the food processor and process until the garlic is finely minced, about 10 seconds. Scrape down the sides.
- 2
Add the tahini and lemon juice and process for 1 minute, until the mixture is thick, pale, and creamy.
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