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Enjoy this easy, better-than-store-bought Creamy Garlic Hummus recipe made with fresh tart lemon juice, a can of chickpeas, extra virgin olive oil, flavorful garlic cloves, and just four simple seasonings. 

A bowl of creamy garlic hummus garnished with olive oil, red pepper, and chickpeas.

I can’t believe summer is already here, y’all! That means it’s time to make delicious summer recipes perfect for a day at the pool, backyard cookouts, family movie nights, and more seasonal fun! 

After adding this homemade garlic hummus to the menu, try more tasty and versatile dips for your next get-together. This Sweet Lime Yogurt Dip is great for fresh and juicy fruit platters, or this creamy Whipped Feta Dip with Figs, nuts, and rich honey is a show-stopper. And excellent for the upcoming summer holidays, like the 4th of July or Labor Day, is this festive layered American Flag Dip for chips and raw veggies.

Ingredient Notes

  • Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas or garbanzo beans are the essential base for classic hummus. Remember to keep the liquid and a small handful of chickpeas aside for later.
  • Aquafaba: What is Aquafaba? It’s that leftover liquid you are saving from the canned chickpeas. Aquafaba is a thicker liquid that results from soaking or cooking chickpeas (or legumes), in water for a period of time.
  • Tahini: Another staple for any hummus recipe is tahini which creates a smooth texture and beneficial vitamins and minerals.
  • Lemon: Brighten the hummus taste with fresh lemon juice from one perfectly ripe and large lemon.
  • Garlic: Toss in a few garlic cloves for an ideal balance of nutty chickpea notes and a strong garlic taste.
  • Oil: Olive oil contributes to the texture and consistency of homemade hummus, but it also brings a smooth and subtle flavor. Because olive oil is a main ingredient, use quality extra virgin olive oil.
  • Seasonings: Season the hummus with savory ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to taste. Sea salt produces great flavor, but kosher or plain table salt also works.
  • Garnish: As an optional garnish, top the dish with chives, a drizzle of olive oil, a few chickpeas, and a sprinkle of cumin or cayenne pepper.
A labeled image of ingredients needed for creamy garlic hummus.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Exta-Spicy Hummus: Blend in more cayenne pepper or add your favorite hot sauce for more heat! Red pepper flakes make for an excellent garnish and additional ingredient.
  • Plain Hummus: If you prefer less raw garlic flavor, omit it altogether or add only one garlic clove to the recipe. Then, sprinkle in some pine nuts for additional flavor.
  • Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: Include freshly roasted red peppers in the mix for robust pepper flavor and add a few slices on top as a garnish.
  • Avocado Hummus: Toss in half an avocado or a whole one for avocado-flavored hummus– YUM!

How To Make the Best Garlic Hummus Dip

Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Step 1 |  Add the ingredients

Start this easy recipe by adding all the hummus ingredients to a high-speed blender or the bowl of a food processor. Pour in just a ¼ cup of the aquafaba juice (juice from canned garbanzo beans) for now, and add more later if necessary.

Ingredients for creamy garlic hummus added to the blender.

Step 2 | Blend to desired thickness

Next, puree the hummus ingredients for 2–3 minutes or until they are thoroughly blended, and the texture is creamy and smooth. Then, use a spatula to clean off the sides of the blender, if needed. And check the consistency– If it is too thick, add more aquafaba liquid.

Adding liquid to blender and then blending the garlic hummus until smooth and creamy.

Step 3 | Chill or serve right away

And that’s all it takes to make homemade hummus! Serve it fresh immediately after blending, or chill the hummus for 2 hours or longer to enjoy refreshingly cold hummus. Either way is delicious!

Tips

  • The Right Consistency– Add just a bit of the chickpea juices at a time to avoid making your hummus too runny but ensure it’s not overly thick. If you add a bit more than you need to, thicken the hummus by adding more chickpeas and seasonings.
  • Blend by Hand– Without a blender or food processor, making hummus at home may be a challenge. However, you can try mashing the chickpeas by hand, adding the remaining ingredients, and mixing the recipe with a spatula or wooden spoon. 
  • Homemade Roasted Garlic Hummus– As an extra step, roast the garlic cloves before adding them to the mixture.

Step 4 | Garnish and enjoy!

Don’t forget to garnish your masterpiece with chives, extra virgin olive oil, chickpeas, cumin, or cayenne pepper, if desired.

An up close image showing the texture of garlic hummus.

Recipe FAQ’s

Why isn’t my hummus creamy?

If your hummus comes out less creamy than desired, it can affect the entire texture of the recipe. Try adding more chickpea water, lemon juice, or tahini for extra smooth hummus, depending on the consistency or taste.

What can you use instead of tahini in hummus?

Tahini will give you that classic hummus flavor. However, if you’re having difficulty finding it at the grocery store or forgot to add it to the list, replace it with an equal amount of sunflower seed butter, Greek yogurt, cashew butter, steamed sweet potato, or even peanut butter. 

What is tahini?

Before making hummus from scratch, you likely have never heard of this unusual ingredient, tahini. It is a sesame paste with a creamy, nutty flavor often used for salad dressings, baba ghanoush, or even as a replacement for butter. However, if you’re not from or familiar with diverse middle eastern cuisine, you likely know it as one of the main ingredients in hummus.

A hand scooping a cracker into hummus.

Storage

Refrigerate: Keep your creamy hummus fresh by transferring the leftovers to an airtight container and storing it in the fridge for up to four days.

Freeze for Long-term Storage: You can also freeze hummus for longer storage. However, the texture and taste may differ after a couple of months in the freezer. Once thawed in the fridge overnight, try adding a little olive oil or lemon juice to bring the desired consistency and flavor back.

What to Serve with Easy Homemade Garlic Hummus

The traditional way to serve garlic hummus is either with toasted pita chips, fresh pita bread, or smeared in a shawarma wrap of some kind. However, it’s a great addition to all types of snacks or meals.

Try serving a small bowl of freshly made hummus on a veggie tray with these fun Salami-Babs or spread a generous amount on pita bread and top with Grilled Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad– Delish!

And if you are a big garbanzo bean fan, give my Spanish Bean Soup a try! It has rave reviews and is a family favorite!

Tasty Dip Recipes to Try

A cracker with a scoop of creamy garlic hummus on it.

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A bowl of creamy garlic hummus garnished with olive oil, red pepper, and chickpeas.
Recipe
5 from 7 votes

(click stars to rate)

Creamy Garlic Hummus Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Nikki Lee
Enjoy this easy better-than-store-bought Creamy Garlic Hummus made with fresh tart lemon juice, a can of chickpeas, extra virgin olive oil, flavorful garlic cloves, and just four simple seasonings.

Ingredients 

  • 15 ounces canned chickpeas, garbanzo beans, (reserve the liquid and 10-15 chickpeas)
  • ¼ cup tahini
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, (1 large lemon)
  • aquafaba liquid from the can of chickpeas
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt, (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper, (or to taste)

Optional Garnish

  • 1 tablespoon chives
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 10 – 15 chickpeas
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin or cayenne

Instructions

  • Add all the hummus ingredients to a blender or food processor. Start with a ¼ cup of the aquafaba juice (juice from canned beans) to start with.
  • Puree for 2–3 minutes or until fully blended and it is creamy and smooth. Use a spatula if you need to clean off the sides of the blender. If it is too thick you can add more aquafaba liquid.
  • The hummus can be served immediately (delicious just after blending). Can be chilled for 2 hours or longer if you would like it cold before serving.
  • Garnish with chives, extra virgin olive oil, chickpeas, cumin, or cayenne pepper.

Notes

  • The Right Consistency– Add just a bit of the chickpea juices at a time to avoid making your hummus too runny but ensure it’s not overly thick. If you add a bit more than you need to, thicken the hummus by adding more chickpeas and seasonings.
  • Blend by Hand– Without a blender or food processor, making hummus at home may be a challenge. However, you can try mashing the chickpeas by hand, adding the remaining ingredients, and mixing the recipe with a spatula or wooden spoon. 
  • Homemade Roasted Garlic Hummus– As an extra step, roast the garlic cloves before adding them to the mixture.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 244kcal (12%) Carbohydrates: 23g (8%) Protein: 8g (16%) Fat: 14g (22%) Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 8g Sodium: 397mg (17%) Potassium: 278mg (8%) Fiber: 6g (25%) Sugar: 4g (4%) Vitamin A: 49IU (1%) Vitamin C: 6mg (7%) Calcium: 56mg (6%) Iron: 3mg (17%)

Nutritional Disclaimer

Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

©️Soulfully Made

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9 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This hummus is so creamy and rich, and tastes way better than store bought! And I love how easy it is to make too!

  2. 5 stars
    Enjoyed this for an afternoon snack and it did not disappoint! Easy, creamy and flavorful; definitely, a new favorite recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    I love your suggestion to add roasted red peppers into this — so much better than the store bought version I normally buy!

  4. 5 stars
    I love making homemade versions of foods I typically buy from the store because I can source healthier ingredients. I’m a big hummus fan, so I can’t wait to try making this homemade version! Definitely going to use the chives as a garnish to add extra flavor!