I certainly wouldn’t want mouth-watering guacamole and spinach artichoke dip to hold a grudge, but hummus, the delicious Middle Eastern dish, is here to rival their numerous impressive health benefits. Serving hummus as a dip, a creamy spread, or as an appetizer is by no means a new concept.
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In fact, it’s widely used in numerous Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes dating back to Egypt in the 13th century. The name of this healthy food means “chickpea” in Arabic — a legume that has been grown for at least 10,000 years in the Middle East. Classic hummus is a dip, spread, or savory dish made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. This delicious combination of good-for-you ingredients is also lauded for its flavorsome creamy texture and healthy fats.
The best part? There is a slew of creative ways to enjoy hummus – if you can resist eating by the spoonful. I would suggest giving Homemade Rosemary Hummus and Roasted Garlic Hummus a try, but the delicious ideas don’t end there. From quickly making dips with your favorite veggies and salad dressings to spreading it on sandwiches for last-minute tasty treats, serving traditional hummus can be a fun challenge for sure.
In case you need extra help figuring out what to serve with hummus this season and beyond, I rounded up the 40 favorite ways to use hummus and take advantage of the array of different flavors available ahead.
What is hummus made of?
Hummus — the versatile spread, healthy snack, and creamy dip we all know and love — is made of cooked garbanzo beans, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice. The classic, plain hummus garnish in the Middle East includes olive oil, a few humble chickpea, parsley, and paprika. In Egypt, it’s frequently flavored with cumin or other spices, but in Mediterranean cuisine, the traditional healthy recipe doesn’t include spices.
What is hummus traditionally served with?
If the question of “ what to serve with hummus” to keep it as classic as possible keeps popping up in your head, it’s best to go back to its origins. Homemade hummus is traditionally served as the main course, drizzled with olive oil and herbs like fresh basil and cilantro, accompanied by fresh tomato, onion, cucumber salad with pita, and, in some cases, falafel.
In some Mediterranean and Middle Eastern counties, Greek yogurt and hot peppers are added to the classic recipe. Hummus is an everyday staple dish in Israel; you’ll rarely find a meal without hummus, mostly eaten as a side dish with fried eggplant and boiled eggs.
Of course, it is one of the most well-known and loved dips, so most traditional ways of serving hummus involve dipping pita bread, flatbread, crackers, or tortilla chips into the mix and just enjoying it cold or warm.
Then we also have many different ways of serving hummus as meze, which, in Turkish, Greek, and Middle Eastern cooking, means a selection of hot and cold dishes, typically served as appetizers. It includes a mix of plain hummus with chopped meats, vegetables, and other favorite dips.
The List: 40 Foods to Serve With Hummus Dip
Serve Olive Oil With Hummus
Loaded with powerful antioxidants, olive oil is traditionally drizzled on top of hummus to make the entire eating experience more luxurious. In fact, virgin olive oil contains oleocanthal, an antioxidant that is believed to have similar anti-inflammatory properties as common anti-inflammatory medicines. Thus, it’s a great way to make an already healthy recipe even more beneficial! It’s no wonder why olive oil is always present in most Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes.
Dip Bread & Crackers In Hummus
When brainstorming on what to serve with hummus, pita bread is the first thing that comes to mind — and for a pretty good reason. Nonetheless, aside from the ah-amazingly tangy, sourdough-like flavor of pita, you can enjoy hummus with many types of bread and crackers to make it taste even more divine. Here are some ideas:
- Pita bread
- Pita chips
- Flatbread
- Tortilla chips
- Bagel chips
- Kale Chips
- Veggie Straws
- Rice Crackers
Vegetables To Dip Or Drizzle In Hummus
Sure, we all have our favorite salads -preferably sprinkled with fresh herbs. So why not take advantage of our affinity for raw vegetables? This is a healthy alternative for the days you don’t feel like eating bread and crackers.
Raw vegetables contain more nutrients like vitamins C and B vitamins while also giving you some much-needed enzymes. Both raw and cooked vegetables provide you with essential nutrients, including potassium, fiber, and folate (folic acid) – and they’re great for dipping!
Some veggies like carrots, sliced peppers, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers are traditionally served with hummus, while others are not included in the classic recipes but still taste absolutely amazing.
Additionally, sautéed, roasted, or even grilled veggies make a great pairing to hummus. I made a list of the preferred veggies to serve with hummus below, but just to give you an idea, firmer cooked vegetables can also be dipped — in most cases. On the other hand, soft vegetables can be added to hummus salads, sandwiches, and side dishes,
Want to see more recipe ideas? Check out this post, 40 Best Vegan Chocolate Dessert Recipes.
- Beets (raw or cooked)
- Broccoli (raw or cooked)
- Brussels Sprouts (raw or cooked)
- Carrots (raw or cooked) carrot sticks are great for dipping!
- Cauliflower (raw or cooked)
- Celery (raw)
- Collard Greens (raw or cooked)
- Fennel (raw or cooked)
- Grape Tomatoes (raw)
- Kohlrabi
- Parsnips
- Potatoes (cooked)
- Sunchokes (raw or cooked)
- Sweet potato (cooked)
- Radishes (raw)
- Mushrooms (sauteed)
Fruit To Dip Or Drizzle With Hummus
If you are wondering about what to serve with hummus, look no further than fruits! They not only make for a tasty dip, but you can also drizzle them over your humus for extra flavor. This way, you’ll add fiber and other vitamins as well as unexpected textures. Plus, is there anything better than introducing savory to sweet? Here are some serving ideas with fruits.
- Bell Peppers (raw or cooked)
- Cherry Tomatoes (raw)
- Cucumber (raw)
- Eggplant (roasted)
- Snow Peas (raw or cooked)
- Sugar Snap Peas (raw or cooked)
- Yellow Summer Squash (raw or cooked)
- Zucchini (raw or cooked)
- Olives
Foods To Spread Hummus On/In
Who can say no to a delicious spread? This Middle Eastern-born creamy dip can be added to a slew of different recipes and make the flavor pop like no other. While you can get an array of hummus flavors from the grocery store, this spread can be whipped up at home in only a few minutes — which makes it an ideal candidate for all your future delicious sandwiches, salads, and side dishes.
Want to see more tasty recipe ideas? Check out this post, 40 Vegan Jackfruit Recipes For Easy Meatless Meals.
- Shawarma
Middle Eastern Shawarma is made by stacking thinly sliced cuts of meat inside the pita. Hummus is one of the most popular additions to this tangy and spicy treat, accompanied by veggies and served with skinny fries and a spicy chili sauce.
- Falafel
Middle Eastern vendors often serve falafel with hummus and tahini sauce which is known as a “falafel plate.” You can easily create your own homemade hummus and falafel, add some vegetables, olives, feta, tahini sauce, and pita – so good!
- Salad
Salad with hummus and tomato, salad with hummus and avocado, a quinoa salad with hummus dressing, or even an egg salad with hummus — the options are truly endless. This speed goes with literally everything, but if you want to take the traditional quick Greek-inspired route, top your salad with feta and serve with pita and hummus.
- Sandwich spread
For a healthy easy launch or snack, opt for your favorite colorful, crunchy veggies and fill your bread of choice with them while using hummus as a sandwich spread. It can even work wonders on your avocado sandwich — just saying.
- Salad dressing
Creamy hummus makes an excellent base for homemade salad dressing. You can also add maple syrup for sweetness, red pepper, or even yogurt. No matter the case, a simple hummus salad dressing comes together in about a minute, and it’s so delicious.
- Wrap
Hummus is a fantastic filling for a vegetarian flour tortilla wrap. Simply add your desired veggies — lettuce, red pepper, cucumber, etc. — and a few tablespoons of hummus for the perfect fresh lunch on a summer day! It
Tasty Hummus Recipes
FAQ
Hummus is a good source of healthy plant-based protein and fats. It is also a good source of dietary fiber and folic acid.
Hummus is traditionally served on a large deep plate with local olive oil drizzled on top. Alternatively, hummus might have additional tahini drizzled on top paired with whole-cooked chickpeas.
Fresh veggies, including sliced tomatoes and cucumbers and pita bread, are often served alongside hummus.
Yes, vegans eat hummus. Hummus is naturally vegan and a great source of plant-based fats and protein.
Final Words
No matter if you prefer classic, tried-and-true hummus recipes or want to get creative with your serving hummus, the options are all in your favor. This truly nutritious snack certainly belongs to your healthy diet, as it is known for being a great source of fiber and protein.
Now that you have a good idea of what to serve with hummus and turn it into a mouthwatering dip, a creamy spread, or an amazing appetizer, don’t forget to have a look at my favorite hummus recipes for some extra inspo.
What’s your favorite way to serve hummus?
Want to see comforting recipe ideas? Check out this post, 75 Best Vegan Soup Recipes.
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