# How do YOU make hummus? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 4, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014 "2008-09-04T16:47:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/1 "2008-09-04T16:47:50Z")
I love chick peas. I’ll eat them straight out of the can. So, this past weekend, I tried making hummus. I used chick peas, sesame oil, lemon juice, and three cloves of garlic, with pepper to taste. It turned out…okay, I guess. I mean, I enjoy it, and the garlic is garlicky enough for me, but I doubt it would win any awards. I ate it today with Triscuit Thin Crips 4-Cheese crackers, and it was nice. But I’d like to give it a little extra something, if I can. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/2 "2008-09-04T16:50:55Z")
I think you need some tahini (or at least peanut butter) in there. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/3 "2008-09-04T16:51:48Z")
I use tahini paste instead of sesame oil – tahini is made from sesame seeds. I scatter a bit of paprika and finely-chopped parsley on the top, and then sprinkle a bit of good olive oil on as well. On the other hand, I don’t add garlic, though that does seem like a reasonable addition to the mixture. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/4 "2008-09-04T16:59:38Z")
To your base, try adding any of the following, in any combination: Cumin Plain yogurt or cucumber sauce Fresh parsley Paprika Green onions or chives Roasted red peppers Salt ---
**Author:** ![N.Sane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f19dbf/32.png) [@N.Sane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N.Sane)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/5 "2008-09-04T17:03:44Z")
chick peas, olive oil, tahini, garlic, and a little grated cucumber. I love the stuff–could eat it every day. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/6 "2008-09-04T17:07:12Z")
Thanks! So some of you would consider the ingredients I used a “base” and there’s more to add? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/7 "2008-09-04T17:08:26Z")
Chick peas, garlic, tahini, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, garlic, salt, fresh parsley and garlic. I like garlic. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/8 "2008-09-04T17:09:13Z")
I go to the fantastic kosher grocery store that’s across the street from my college, walk up to their deli counter and order hummus. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/9 "2008-09-04T17:18:50Z")
There was this great cookbook once, “To Serve Man.” Oh. . . sorry. . . thought it said “humans.” ---
**Author:** ![AT\_Love](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@AT\_Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AT_Love)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/10 "2008-09-04T17:21:49Z")
I make mine as low fat as possible: 2 cans chickpeas 1tsp olive oil 2tsp peanut butter 1/4 cup lime juice 2 or three garlic cloves fresh cracked pepper to taste It comes out thick which I like but I asume you could just up the oil if you want it thinner. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/11 "2008-09-04T17:24:42Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I think you need some tahini (or at least peanut butter) in there. Peanut butter?! Try cashew butter. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/12 "2008-09-04T17:29:40Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Thanks! So some of you would consider the ingredients I used a “base” and there’s more to add? I’d lose the sesame oil and replace it with tahini. Tahini really makes it hummus, to me. If the tahini you use isn’t oily enough (unlikely, IMHO), then add some sesame oil in. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/13 "2008-09-04T17:35:00Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Peanut butter?! Try cashew butter. Actually, I quite concur. Please consider **Lute** ’s suggestion an amendment to my earlier post. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/14 "2008-09-04T17:44:20Z")
Okay, I’ll look for tahini and cashew butter. I’m the only one who likes it in the house, and I’ve got a whole bunch still left to munch on. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/15 "2008-09-04T18:08:58Z")
Yeah, I think tahini is kind of central to hummus (at least traditional hummus), so if that’s missing, it would taste a bit off to me. Also, the lack of olive oil would stand out for me. Other than that, I keep it very simple. Chickpeas, tahini, good olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt is all I add. I find hummus doesn’t need anything more than this. Maybe a sprinkle of chile pepper at the end for color. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/16 "2008-09-04T19:07:47Z")
Hummus made with peanut butter always tastes like peanut butter to me, and nothing else. Natural peanut butter might not be so bad, but it’s worth it to seek out some tahini. It lives in the fridge forever. Mine is chickpeas, tons of garlic, tahini, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. It’s worth it to toast the cumin a little before you add it and to use an actual lemon instead of the bottled stuff, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/17 "2008-09-04T19:16:38Z")
Even with tahini in it, I’d say it still needs some sesame oil. It has a more roasted flavor than the tahini alone. You also didn’t mention any salt. I find that I need to add some to the food processor when my wife isn’t looking (she makes it, then asks me to taste/adjust the flavor). ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/18 "2008-09-04T19:21:12Z")
I didn’t add salt, since I thought the salt from the chick peas juice (I drained but didn’t rinse) would be enough. Add salt…got it! ---
**Author:** ![lunar\_elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lunar\_elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lunar_elf)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/19 "2008-09-04T19:23:35Z")
The tahini will really make a difference. I found it tucked away with the ethnic foods (kosher, asian stuff) aisle of Publix. It’s in a brown/orange/white can about the size of small can of peanuts. I also reserve some of the liquid from the drained chick peas to add to the mixture, we like it a bit thinner. I love lotsa garlic and fresh lemon juice in mine. When it’s finished and chilled I’ll swirl a lil bit of olive oil on top with some paprika with warm pita bread. /drool /eyes up remaining tahini in the fridge /ponders Good Luck! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014/20 "2008-09-04T19:44:24Z")
> [@lunar\_elf](#): > > The tahini will really make a difference. I found it tucked away with the ethnic foods (kosher, asian stuff) aisle of Publix. Depends on the store. Harris Teeter keeps it with the PB&J. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-make-hummus/462014.md?page=2)