Garlicky Homemade Hummus

If you love garlic as much as I do, this garlic hummus recipe is about to become a regular in your kitchen. It is smooth, creamy, bright with fresh lemon juice, and loaded with plenty of garlic. Best of all, this easy homemade hummus comes together with simple ingredients and tastes so much fresher than anything you can grab at the grocery store.

I did not always understand the appeal of making hummus from scratch. Store-bought hummus is easy, there are approximately 47 flavors to choose from, and nobody has to wash the food processor afterward. I was perfectly happy with that arrangement.

Then I tasted really good homemade hummus.

Years ago, I worked for a doctor originally from Egypt, and his wife brought homemade hummus to a holiday party. One bite completely changed my mind. It was incredibly smooth, rich, garlicky, and full of fresh flavor. It tasted completely different from the tubs I was used to buying at the store.

That hummus stuck with me, and eventually I started making my own version at home. This garlicky homemade hummus is the result. It is simple, flavorful, and exactly the kind of recipe I love to keep in the refrigerator for snacking, lunches, and easy entertaining.

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Why You’ll Love This Garlic Hummus Recipe

There is a lot to love about making hummus at home. It is affordable, easy to customize, and made with ingredients you can keep on hand.

This garlic hummus recipe is:

• Smooth and creamy
• Full of fresh garlic flavor
• Bright and lemony
• Easy to make with canned chickpeas
• Perfect for meal prep
• Great for parties and entertaining
• Delicious as a dip, spread, or side dish

The best part about homemade hummus is that you can adjust everything to your own taste. Add another clove of garlic, squeeze in more lemon juice, or adjust the consistency until it is exactly how you like it.

My personal philosophy regarding garlic is that the amount listed in a recipe is usually a starting point. Proceed accordingly.

Ingredients for Homemade Garlic Hummus

One of the reasons I love this recipe is the short ingredient list. You do not need anything complicated to make a flavorful, creamy hummus recipe at home.

You’ll need:

• Chickpeas
• Tahini
• Fresh garlic
• Fresh lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Water as needed for consistency

Since there are so few ingredients in homemade hummus, the flavor of each one matters. Fresh lemon juice gives the hummus a brighter flavor than bottled juice, and fresh garlic is what gives this recipe its signature punch.

Tahini adds richness and that classic nutty flavor that makes hummus taste like hummus. It is simply a paste made from ground sesame seeds, and you can usually find it near the nut butters or in the international foods section of the grocery store.

Can You Make Hummus With Canned Chickpeas?

Absolutely. This recipe is made with canned chickpeas because I am always looking for ways to make homemade food fit into real life.

Using canned chickpeas makes this an easy homemade hummus recipe that you can pull together without soaking or cooking dried beans. Simply drain and rinse the chickpeas before adding them to the recipe.

If you want your hummus extra smooth, you can remove the skins from the chickpeas. I will tell you right now that I do not always have the patience for that. A good food processor and enough blending time will still give you a wonderfully creamy result.

How to Make Garlic Hummus

Making homemade garlic hummus is surprisingly simple. The food processor does most of the work for you.

Add the chickpeas, tahini, garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and salt to a food processor. Blend until the ingredients begin to come together.

Continue processing until the hummus becomes smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed so everything is evenly blended.

Add water a little at a time until the hummus reaches your preferred consistency. Keep in mind that hummus will thicken slightly after it is refrigerated, so I like mine to be a little softer when it first comes out of the food processor.

Taste and adjust the seasoning. This is the time to add more salt, lemon juice, or garlic if needed.

Spoon the hummus into a shallow serving bowl and use the back of a spoon to create swirls across the top. Finish it with a drizzle of good olive oil and your favorite toppings.

The Secret to Smooth and Creamy Homemade Hummus

The biggest difference between an average homemade hummus and a really good one is texture.

First, give the food processor time to do its job. Do not stop blending as soon as everything is combined. Let it run until the hummus is smooth and creamy.

Second, add water gradually. A few tablespoons can completely transform thick hummus into a light, creamy dip. Add it slowly because it is much easier to thin hummus than to fix hummus that has become too watery.

Finally, scrape down the food processor several times while blending. Chickpeas and tahini have a habit of hiding around the edges of the bowl, and you want everything fully incorporated.

What to Serve With Garlic Hummus

Garlic hummus is one of those recipes that can go in a dozen different directions. Serve it as a simple appetizer or keep a container in the refrigerator to make weekday lunches a little more interesting.

Some of my favorite things to serve with hummus include warm pita bread, pita chips, sliced cucumbers, carrots, bell pepper strips, crackers, and toasted naan.

It is also delicious spread onto sandwiches and wraps. Add a generous layer to a wrap with grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, and feta cheese for a quick lunch.

For entertaining, spoon the hummus into a pretty shallow bowl, add a generous drizzle of olive oil, and scatter a few toppings over the top. It looks beautiful on a snack board and takes very little effort.

That is my favorite kind of party food.

Easy Hummus Topping Ideas

Plain garlic hummus is delicious on its own, but toppings make it feel a little more special.

Try topping your homemade hummus with a drizzle of olive oil, whole chickpeas, chopped parsley, paprika, toasted pine nuts, red pepper flakes, or everything bagel seasoning.

You can also add roasted vegetables or chopped olives for a heartier appetizer.

If you are serving this for guests, set out a few different toppings and plenty of things for dipping. It is an easy way to create a generous appetizer spread without spending all afternoon in the kitchen.

How to Store Homemade Hummus

Store homemade garlic hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best enjoyed within several days.

The hummus may thicken as it chills. If needed, stir in a small amount of water or olive oil before serving to loosen the consistency.

I like to make a batch at the beginning of the week and use it for snacks and lunches. Having something flavorful already made makes it much easier to reach for vegetables and crackers when the afternoon snack situation gets serious.

Can I Make This Garlic Hummus Recipe Ahead of Time?

Yes, and I actually think homemade hummus is a great make-ahead appetizer.

Prepare the hummus, transfer it to an airtight container, and refrigerate until you are ready to serve it. Before serving, give it a good stir and add the olive oil and toppings.

For parties, I usually prepare the hummus itself ahead of time and finish the presentation just before guests arrive. That way the olive oil and toppings still look fresh.

A Simple Homemade Appetizer Worth Making

I still appreciate the convenience of store-bought hummus, but there is something special about making it yourself. The fresh lemon, real garlic, creamy tahini, and olive oil create a flavor that is hard to match.

This garlic hummus recipe is simple enough for an afternoon snack but good enough to put out when you are entertaining. It is fresh, flavorful, budget-friendly, and easy to make with ingredients you can keep in the pantry.

Sometimes a recipe sticks with you because it is complicated or impressive. This one stuck with me because someone brought a bowl of homemade hummus to a holiday party and showed me just how good simple food can be.

Years later, I am still making my own version. Preferably with a little extra garlic.