Wondering what to eat with hummus? Here are 21 Amazing Ideas for Authentic Middle Eastern Hummus Pairings. Take your homemade or store-bought dip to the next level. Build out a great mezze platter, change up your dipping ideas, and get creative in the kitchen.
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Tips for Making the Best Homemade Hummus
If you're going to make your own hummus, here are some tips to help you get the best results.
Use High-Quality Ingredients:
- Chickpeas: The main ingredient. Opt for canned chickpeas or cook dried garbanzo beans until very tender for the best texture. I recommend just going with canned since that's what's easiest for most people, like I show in my Eggplant Hummus Recipe.
- Tahini: Use good quality tahini paste made from roasted sesame seeds. Though you can find store-brand tahini at grocery stores like Trader Joe's, I recommend getting tahini from your local Middle Eastern grocer. Tahini can be used in many other recipes like my Blistered Shishitos with Tahini Sauce and my Musabaha (Creamy Chickpea Stew).
- Olive Oil: Choose extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor. Now's the time to use the good stuff!
Balancing Flavors:
- Tahini and Lemon Juice: Balance the nutty flavor of tahini with the acidity of fresh lemon juice. Start with a little and adjust to taste. Don't use bottled lemon juice.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic for a robust flavor. Roasting it beforehand can mellow the taste.
Get the Texture Right:
- Use a food processor and process longer than you think you need to!
Hummus Topper Ideas
Think of hummus as a vehicle for other flavors and textures, especially if you're using one from a grocery store. I like to enjoy hummus topped with vegetables, like in this Caramelized Eggplant Hummus recipe. But there are so many different toppings you can add to it. Here are some of the best things you can try:
- Spiced ground beef, ground lamb or ground chicken
- Vegan sausage
- Caramelized onions
- Roasted red pepper
- Roasted fennel
- Fresh herbs (parsley, basil, dill)
- Confit garlic
- Green or black olives
The following recipes showcase two of my favorite ways to level up your hummus game. Both recipes also include my basic hummus method (which uses canned chickpeas, because who has the time to soak and boil dry chickpeas!).
What to Dip in Hummus
No one is stopping you from eating creamy hummus dip by the spoonful, but there are many ways you can enjoy this hearty and delicious dip. Pita is traditional. In fact, in Arabic there's a word used when we refer to dipping a piece of pita (Tagmees).
In addition to the easy recipes below, you can use the following as a vehicle for this gorgeous creamy spread and create your own hummus platter:
- Crackers (wheat thins, rice crackers)
- Tortilla chips
- Pita chips
- Bagel chips
- Fresh veggies (bell peppers, carrot sticks, celery sticks, radish slices, snap peas, etc.)
What to Serve with Hummus to Complete a Mezze Table
Levantine or Middle Eastern communal dining, also known as Mezze, is a way to share and sample many recipes with friends and family. In Middle Eastern homes, this creamy dip is rarely served on its own. It's usually served alongside other specialties like the ones listed below.
What to Eat with Hummus for Breakfast
If you thought hummus was just for snacking, you're wrong! Hummus can be enjoyed for breakfast too and is the basis for many popular Levantine breakfast dishes like Fattet Hummus and Musabaha. It is a delicious way to start the day and a great option for those needing more protein in their diet.
It's often served with raw vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers. But we're past boring veggies so here are some creative ideas to try for your next breakfast or brunch.
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