MSG 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 it. That matters more than you might think, because store-bought harissa and flavored hummus products are common hiding spots for additives and flavor enhancers you'd rather avoid. Every ingredient here is whole, clean, and easy to verify. The base itself gets its silky texture from a generous pour of tahini, fresh lemon juice, and a splash of reserved chickpea liquid — no shortcuts, no mystery powders. Swirled together in the bowl, the vivid red harissa against the pale, glossy hummus looks almost too good to disturb with a pita chip. Almost.
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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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