Lemon Basil Hummus Recipe
If you’re looking to brighten up your snack game, Lemon Basil Hummus is a must-try. This creamy, zesty dip takes classic hummus to a whole new level with fresh basil and a pop of lemon, making it as vibrant as it is delicious. With its silky texture and Mediterranean flair, it’s the kind of dish you’ll want to whip up for everything from summer gatherings to easy weekday lunches. Trust me, once you’ve tasted Lemon Basil Hummus, you’ll never look at store-bought hummus the same way again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Assembling Lemon Basil Hummus is a breeze, and every ingredient in this recipe has a role to play. Each one brings its own character—whether that’s tang, richness, or color—to the bowl, making the end result truly special.
- Chickpeas: These little legumes are the backbone of any hummus, providing creaminess and a touch of nutty flavor. Use canned for convenience or cook your own for an extra-fresh taste.
- Fresh lemon juice: The secret to that bright, sunny flavor. Always use freshly squeezed lemon for the freshest zing.
- Tahini: This sesame paste gives classic hummus its signature richness and depth. Stir well if it’s separated in the jar!
- Olive oil: Adds silkiness and a fruity note, and works beautifully as a finishing drizzle, too.
- Garlic: Just one clove gives a gentle kick without overpowering the basil or lemon.
- Salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors into balance.
- Black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and rounds out the flavor.
- Fresh basil leaves: The star of the show—these bring a fragrant, herbal twist and a lovely green hue.
- Cold water: Drizzling this in helps achieve that ultra-smooth, scoopable consistency.
How to Make Lemon Basil Hummus
Step 1: Cream the Tahini and Lemon Juice
Start by adding the tahini and fresh lemon juice to your food processor. Blend them together for about a minute, until the mixture is light, smooth, and creamy. This extra step makes the hummus extra fluffy and gives it that irresistible texture you crave.
Step 2: Add Flavor and Blend Again
Next, toss in the olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Blend everything until it’s well combined and smooth, ensuring that the flavors are perfectly mingled. This is where the hummus starts to come alive!
Step 3: Chickpeas Join the Party
Now it’s time for the chickpeas. Add them to the food processor and blend until the mixture is thick and mostly blended. Don’t worry if it’s still a little chunky—there’s more blending to come.
Step 4: Basil Brilliance
Add the fresh basil leaves, making sure they’re packed in tightly. Process again, pausing to scrape down the sides as needed, until the basil is fully incorporated and the hummus turns a gorgeous shade of green.
Step 5: Perfect the Texture
With the processor running, slowly drizzle in 2 to 3 tablespoons of cold water. This helps loosen the hummus and makes it ultra-creamy. Stop and taste—add a pinch more salt or a little more lemon juice if you want an extra zing!
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Spoon your Lemon Basil Hummus into a bowl and finish with a generous drizzle of olive oil. For even more brightness, a little sprinkle of lemon zest on top is pure magic.
How to Serve Lemon Basil Hummus
Garnishes
Make your Lemon Basil Hummus look as good as it tastes! Try a swirl of extra olive oil, a handful of chopped fresh basil, or a sprinkle of lemon zest. For a little crunch, toasted pine nuts or a pinch of flaky sea salt are fantastic finishing touches.
Side Dishes
This hummus is a natural with crisp veggies like cucumber, bell pepper, and carrot sticks, or warm pita chips and crackers. It also shines as a spread for sandwiches, wraps, or as a surprise layer in a veggie burger.
Creative Ways to Present
For a pretty presentation, spread Lemon Basil Hummus on a platter and create a shallow well in the center. Fill it with cherry tomatoes, olives, or roasted chickpeas. Or, pipe the hummus into cucumber cups or mini bell peppers for individual, party-ready bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Lemon Basil Hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. The flavors often deepen after a day, making the leftovers even more irresistible for snacking or sandwiches.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch, Lemon Basil Hummus freezes beautifully. Spoon it into a freezer-safe container, leaving a little space on top. Thaw in the fridge overnight and give it a good stir before serving.
Reheating
Hummus is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat. If you like it slightly warm, let it sit out for 15–20 minutes before serving, or give it a quick stir with a splash of warm water to freshen it up.
FAQs
Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?
Absolutely! Just soak and cook the dried chickpeas until tender, then cool them before using. This can give your Lemon Basil Hummus an even creamier texture and a more pronounced chickpea flavor.
What if I don’t have tahini?
If you’re out of tahini, you can substitute with sunflower seed butter or even a mild cashew butter. The flavor will be a bit different, but your Lemon Basil Hummus will still be delicious and creamy.
How can I make this hummus extra smooth?
For the silkiest texture, peel the chickpeas after rinsing them. It’s a bit of extra effort, but it makes a noticeable difference in the smoothness of your Lemon Basil Hummus.
Is Lemon Basil Hummus kid-friendly?
Most kids love the mild, creamy texture, and the basil adds a fun twist without being overwhelming. You can always reduce the garlic if you want a milder flavor for younger palates.
Can I add other herbs or spices?
Definitely! Feel free to experiment with parsley, cilantro, or a pinch of chili flakes for heat. Lemon Basil Hummus is wonderfully flexible, so make it your own.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about sharing a homemade bowl of Lemon Basil Hummus. It’s fresh, inviting, and guaranteed to disappear fast. Give it a try—you may just find a new staple for snacks, parties, and everything in between!
Print
Lemon Basil Hummus Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 1/2 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vibrant Lemon Basil Hummus is a fresh and creamy twist on traditional hummus, blending the zesty brightness of lemon with aromatic basil for a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired appetizer. Perfectly smooth and packed with protein-rich chickpeas, it’s an easy no-cook dip that’s vegan and gluten-free, ideal for serving with pita chips, raw veggies, or as a sandwich spread.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Prepare the tahini and lemon base: In a food processor, combine tahini and fresh lemon juice. Process for 1 minute until the mixture becomes light and creamy, which helps to aerate it and enhance the texture of the hummus.
- Add olive oil and seasoning: Add olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to the processor. Blend again until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring the garlic infuses evenly.
- Incorporate chickpeas: Add the rinsed chickpeas to the mixture and process until the hummus is thick and thoroughly blended, scraping down the sides of the processor bowl as needed.
- Mix in fresh basil: Add the packed fresh basil leaves into the processor. Blend again until the basil is finely chopped and integrated evenly, infusing the hummus with a fresh herbal flavor.
- Adjust consistency: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in 2 to 3 tablespoons of cold water. Continue processing until the hummus reaches your desired creamy consistency.
- Final taste and serve: Taste the hummus and adjust seasoning as needed. Transfer the prepared hummus to a serving bowl and drizzle with extra olive oil for added richness before serving.
Notes
- For an extra burst of brightness, add a bit of lemon zest along with the lemon juice.
- This hummus pairs wonderfully with pita chips, fresh raw vegetables, or can be used as a flavorful sandwich spread.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
