Garlic Hummus Recipe Without Tahini: So Delicious!

If you’re a hummus lover like me, once you see how simple it is to make homemade hummus, you’ll want to make it all the time! It’s delicious, healthy, and so easy!

I make hummus almost every week. I use it as a dip for fresh veggies and pita chips, serve it as a side to Mediterranean foods, and for lunch, I use it in my lettuce wraps or put it in pita bread.

Once you’ve made it, just store it in an airtight container, and you can enjoy delicious hummus all week long.

About This Garlic Hummus Recipe without Tahini

creamy garlic hummus without tahini — This delicious garlic hummus recipe without tahini takes less than 5 minutes to make.

Hummus is such an essential food in the Middle East and such a beloved part of different culinary cultures, there have actually been lawsuits between countries over its origin. One thing we do know is that, although in the United States hummus is often included with Greek appetizers, the dip is not a traditional Greek dish.

Why You Should Make This Recipe for Garlic Hummus

It’s quick! With zero prep time, this no-tahini hummus recipe takes about 3 to 4 minutes from start to finish.

It’s easy! Since it’s made in a food processor, there’s no chopping and very little clean-up.

It’s cheap! It costs less than $1.50 to make this dip. Store-bought hummus is at least 4 times more expensive for the same quantity.

It’s healthier! Have you ever read the nutritional value label of your grocer’s hummus? It’s loaded with fat. Granted, a lot of it is “good fat,” but this recipe brings the calories way down.

It tastes great! The number one reason to make this recipe for hummus without tahini is that it’s so yummy, you’ll want to make it again and again.

Can You Make Hummus without Tahini?

Absolutely! Years ago, when I had my personal chef meal prep business, I had clients who were allergic to tahini but still wanted hummus.

I tweaked a few things, and came up with this garlic hummus recipe without tahini—and my clients loved it! So did I! Moreover, none of my other clients noticed that the tahini was even missing!

What is Tahini?

Made from ground sesame seeds, tahini is a sesame seed paste; some call it a sesame seed butter. It has a tangy nutty flavor and is a staple of Middle Eastern cuisines.

If you’ve had Israeli street food, you’ve probably had tahini.

You can usually find it in the grocery store or at Mediterranean markets in the U.S.

Why Make Hummus without Tahini?

It’s easy to make creamy homemade hummus!

Tahini is the most expensive ingredient in classic hummus. So, the biggest reason not to make tahini hummus is that it’s cheaper not to.

Plus, while I do like tahini, I just don’t feel it’s necessary, since it doesn’t make a huge difference in the quality or flavor of the hummus.

And if you’re looking for an easy hummus recipe, going tahini-free will make it easier. Save time, effort, and expense!

Should I Substitute FOR Tahini? 

No, there really isn’t a good direct substitute for tahini.

Other sesame products like sesame oil have a completely different flavor profile. The same is true for other seeds and nuts. Pine nuts may come closest. But with this homemade hummus without tahini recipe, there is no need for a tahini substitute.

Essential Garlic Hummus Ingredients

There are only a handful of simple pantry ingredients in this hummus without tahini recipe.

Garlic

I use raw garlic cloves because they make for a very flavorful dip. If you don’t love garlic as much as I do, try roasted garlic for a more mild flavor. Roasted garlic hummus is very tasty too!

Chickpeas 

The main ingredient in any traditional hummus recipe is chickpeas. Sometimes chickpeas are called garbanzo beans; they are the same bean.

Select your can of chickpeas wisely; use a brand you’ve tasted and liked. Do not try to get fancy by cooking your own chickpeas. For a creamy texture and smooth hummus, canned chickpeas are best.   Most importantly, do not drain the can, you’ll need the chickpea liquid for the recipe.

Lemon Juice

Fresh lemon juice is preferred over bottled. Bottled, even from Whole Foods, can give off a funky taste.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Do not skimp on olive oil quality. Low-quality olive oil will never make the best hummus.

Paprika 

I use paprika or sumac as a garnish. But if you prefer a little more zest, add more of either of these spices to your hummus. If you’re looking for a little kick, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. If you don’t want pepper of any kind, simply garnish with fresh parsley.

Garlic Hummus Recipe without Tahini

making hummus without tahini in a food processor — For a creamy garlic hummus, use a food processor.

For the creamiest hummus recipe, use a food processor. If you need to use a blender, add the chickpea liquid before the chickpeas.

Ingredients

3 medium garlic cloves 
1 can chickpeas, DO NOT DRAIN 
1 tablespoon lemon juice 
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
pinch of paprika or sumac

Recipe

1. In the bowl of a food processor, add garlic cloves and process until minced fine.

2. Drain the liquid from the can of chickpeas into a measuring cup and set aside.

3. Scrape down the garlic from the sides of the processor bowl, and add the full can of chickpeas to it. Process on high scraping down the sides.

making homemade hummus — Pureed chickpeas should be smooth before you add the liquids.

4. Add the lemon juice, salt, and ¼ cup of the chickpea liquid and process on high.

5. When your mixture is smooth, add olive oil a little at a time from the top while the processor is on. Do not add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil all at once.

6. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with paprika or sumac.

More Tips

1. If you happen to accidentally drain the chickpeas, replace the chickpea liquid with vegetable or chicken broth.

2. If you overpour the chickpea liquid and find your dip too runny, add a little plain Greek yogurt to thicken it.

Plating & Garnishing Hummus

Serve your hummus in a small bowl. Traditional hummus recipes usually call for a little extra olive oil to be drizzled on top.

I usually skip this step when making it for myself, but when serving hummus to guests, it makes a nice presentation.

A little sprinkle of sumac on top is my first choice for garnish. Sumac is a staple spice in the Middle East, but it’s not one of the common ingredients in an American pantry, so I use paprika in this recipe.

Serving Garlic Hummus

As I said in the beginning, there are so many great ways to enjoy hummus!

Side Dish

Hummus goes with just about any Mediterranean dish, like: 
Urfa Kebabs
Mediterranean Lamb Chops
Lebanese Tabouli 
Greek Meat Pies  
Cretan Dakos

Appetizer Dip

Serve hummus dip with cut raw vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumbers, sliced red peppers, and cherry tomatoes.

Or, serve with one other Middle Eastern or Greek appetizer on a mezze platter.

Spread 

Hummus makes a great wrap with a tortilla, lavash, or romaine lettuce. Or spread it on your usual bread for a fresh take on your favorite sandwich.

Make your Own Hummus Recipes

You may have noticed that hummus is to dip as martini is to cocktails. Although there is a world-famous cocktail called martini with a very distinct recipe, anything in a martini glass these days seems to be called a martini.

Likewise, any type of blended dip that may or may not have chickpeas seems to be called hummus. So, why not get in on the action?

Hummus Variations

As much as I love my simple hummus recipe without tahini—and hope that it’s your new favorite hummus recipe too—I am a chef at heart and love to experiment in the kitchen.

There are so many things you can combine chickpeas with!

To create your own hummus recipes, use this recipe as a base and add ingredients. I prefer to use cooked rather than raw veggies for a creamier texture. Here are a few ideas: 

Avocado Hummus: Add 1 avocado. It’s fun to serve this version with tortilla chips.

Red Pepper Hummus: Add ⅓ of a cup roasted red peppers (jarred will work).

Beet Hummus: Add one large roasted beet, or half a can of beets.

I’d love to hear how your hummus turns out! Let me know in the comments!