Homemade Garlic Hummus with Canned Chickpeas

Garlic hummus is a delicious and healthy dip that's easy to make, especially if you use canned chickpeas. This quick chickpea hummus is perfect for dunking, spreading, or simply enjoying with a spoonful.

I love making hummus at home. It's so versatile and always a hit with guests. It never disappoints. If you've never had it, try dipping crispy fresh veggies or crackers into it - so yummy!

Traditional hummus is excellent as a spread, too, like on pita bread with ground lamb. I also use leftovers (when I have them) to make falafel with red beets.

This delicious recipe, my homemade tzatziki, and sweet and savory guava dip are always my go-to recipes for serving or taking to potlucks and backyard barbeques.

❤️ Why we love this recipe

• It's easy to prepare - blend chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
• The chickpea hummus recipe is highly versatile. I can easily tweak the flavors with different spices or add-ins. I'll share them below in the "variations" section.
• This Mediterranean dip is healthy, tasty, and perfect for any gathering. Canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are rich in protein and fiber, making them nutritious and satisfying.
• Homemade hummus is less expensive than store-bought.
• It can be made in advance.

Do I need to remove the skin from chickpeas?

The simple answer is no. The more complex answer: it depends. You might want skins/husks off if:

• You have diverticular disease or other health issues.
• Also, peel chickpeas if you prefer extra creamy hummus with a gelato-like texture. And I mean, ultra super-duper creamy! Because let's be honest – even with skins, hummus is still creamy.
• If you don't have a food processor or a blender and have to mash by hand, remove the skin.
• You are sensitive to textures. For example, I like slightly grainy hummus, but don't try to feed me liver. It's too grainy for my taste, plus…liver. Yuck.
• You have extra time on your hands.
• Just because – it's how you roll. 😊

🛒 Ingredients, Notes, and Substitutions

With just a handful of wholesome ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a creamy, flavorful hummus that beats anything you'll find in stores.

🔪 How to make garlic hummus (with photos)

Hint: You can toss all ingredients into your food processor at once, but I like to incorporate flavors in the steps below.

By the way, you don't need a fancy food processor to do the trick. My inexpensive B&D food processor is 13 years old and still going strong.

Step 1 - Prepare the Chickpeas

Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas. Depending on your personal preference, you can remove all or half of the skin/husks or leave them on.

Step 2 - Blend Tahini and Lemon Juice

Add the tahini and lemon juice to the food processor. Process for 1 minute, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl, then process for another 30 seconds. This helps make the chickpeas and tahini creamy and smooth.

Step 3 - Add Garlic, Olive Oil, and Seasoning

Add the minced garlic, olive oil, ground cumin, salt, and pepper to the blender. Process for 30 seconds, scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then process another 30 seconds or until well blended.

Step 4 - Adjust Consistency

With the food processor running, slowly add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water until the hummus is smooth and creamy. If it's still too thick, add more water until you reach your desired consistency.

👩‍🍳 Best Tips for Canned Chickpea Garlic Hummus

• Choose high-quality ingredients - selecting high-quality ones that taste great on their own is essential.
• The longer you run your food processor or blender, the smoother your hummus will be.
• Occasionally, pause the motor to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula. This ensures that all the chickpea bits are evenly blended.
• Taste as you go - taste the hummus and adjust with more salt, lemon juice, or garlic if needed. Remember, you can always add more of an ingredient but can't remove it once it's blended in!
• You can roast the garlic for a richer flavor before adding it to the hummus.
• Customize the flavor by adding roasted red peppers, garlic, spices, and herbs.

👉 Variations

Homemade classic hummus is excellent on its own but even better with these variations:

• Mix in roasted peppers for a sweet and smoky flavor.
• Add a dash of ground sumac.
• Use roasted tahini sauce to change the flavor.
• Blend in some sun-dried tomatoes for a decadent, tangy twist.
• Use a large head of roasted garlic instead of fresh.
• Mix some cayenne pepper, harissa, or Sriracha for a spicy kick.
• Incorporate fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil for a fresh, vibrant taste.
• Add roasted or steamed carrots for a slightly sweet and earthy variation.
• Blend in roasted or boiled beets for a sweet flavor and beautiful pink color.
• Mix in chopped Kalamata or green olives for a salty, savory flavor.
• Mix canned pumpkin and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for a seasonal twist. Also, try this spooky pumpkin hummus.

🍽️ How to serve hummus?

As mentioned earlier, garlic hummus is delicious as a dip for veggies, crackers, chips, or pita bread. Here are some other ways we enjoy it:

• We use it as a spread on a pita sandwich with lamb meatballs.
• We love it in turkey gyros as a replacement for tzatziki or in addition to.
• As a replacement for traditional sandwich spreads, especially layered thick on a slice of artisan bread.
• As a topping for salads or bowls.
• As a part of a traditional meze platter, aka charcuterie board.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Other Mediterranean recipes you'll love

📖 Recipe

Update Notes: This recipe was originally published in August 2014 and updated in July 2024 with new photos and recipe tips.