BHA & BHT Free Spicy Harissa Hummus
Creamy, smoky, and just the right amount of fiery, this hummus is the kind of dip that makes a whole spread feel effortless. The harissa is made entirely from scratch — dried chiles toasted in a skillet, then blended with smoked paprika, coriander, caraway, and turmeric — so you know exactly what's going into every swirl. That matters more than it might seem, because store-bought harissa and many commercial hummus brands often contain preservatives like BHA and BHT to extend shelf life. Here, every ingredient is whole and recognizable, from the chickpeas and tahini to the fresh lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil. The technique of processing the tahini and lemon juice first before adding the chickpeas is what gives this hummus that pale, ultra-creamy texture you usually only find at a good restaurant. A drizzle of olive oil, a scatter of sesame seeds, and a spoonful of that deep red harissa paste in the center make it as beautiful as it is delicious. Serve it with warm pita or fresh vegetables and watch it disappear fast.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the hummus
- 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained, liquid reserved
- ⅓ cup tahini
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
For the harissa
- 3 dried red chiles (such as guajillo or new mexico), stems and seeds removed
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground caraway
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the dried chiles in a small skillet over medium heat and toast, turning once, until fragrant and slightly darkened, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a small bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for 10 minutes until softened. Drain and pat dry.
- 2
Transfer the soaked chiles to the food processor along with the smoked paprika, ground coriander, ground caraway, ground turmeric, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp salt. Process until a coarse paste forms, scraping down the sides as needed, about 30 seconds. Transfer the harissa paste to a small bowl and set aside. Wipe out the food processor bowl.
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