Authentic Classic Hummus with Lemon and Garlic

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

This creamy Middle Eastern dip features velvety chickpeas, nutty tahini, and bright lemon, offering a perfect balance of flavors that honors centuries of culinary tradition. This Middle Eastern-inspired vegetarian recipe (vegan), ready in about 10 minutes, blends chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 185 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed chickpeas
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 clove, minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp water
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tbsp (for serving) extra-virgin olive oil
• pinch (for garnish) paprika

The food processor we’d make this in → Best Food Processors in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a food processor, combine 1 can drained chickpeas, 1/4 cup tahini, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp ground cumin; process for 1 minute until smooth.
2. Step 2: Slowly drizzle in 2 tbsp water while processing for 1-2 minutes until completely smooth and velvety, scraping down sides as needed.
3. Step 3: Transfer to serving bowl, drizzle with 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of paprika before serving.