Caramelized Onion Hummus is a creamy blend of white beans, tahini, and lemon. Caramelized onions give an extra boost of flavor. Serve with tortilla or pita chips, veggie dippers, or use as a sandwich spread.

dish of hummus drizzled with olive oil and garnished with caramelized onions

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Homemade is best

Once you discover how easy it is to make hummus at home, you will never want store-bought again. Caramelize some onions and then let the food processor do the rest of the work. You'll have this healthy snack ready in no time.

What is hummus?

Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip, typically made with chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. It's usually served with pita bread, but you can also use it as a sandwich spread or as part of a mezze platter or snack board.

Ingredients

White beans (cannellini) - Creamy white beans are the base of this dip. I love their mild flavor and creamy texture. You can substitute traditional chickpeas (garbanzo beans) if you prefer.
Tahini - A classic ingredient in hummus, tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds. You can find it in the condiment aisle or ethnic food aisle of your local supermarket.
Caramelized onions - Slow-cooked to bring out their sweetness, these onions add wonderful flavor to the hummus.
Lemon juice - Lemon adds a punch of brightness and enhances the other flavors. Definitely don't skip adding this touch of zing!

How to make

To make caramelized onions:

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and diced onion. Once the onions start to soften, turn the heat down to medium-low and season with a pinch of salt.
Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown, approx. 20-25 minutes. Set aside and cool. (Find more detail about caramelizing onions here.)

To make the hummus:

Drain and rinse the white beans. Add them to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse for 30 seconds to start breaking up the beans.
Add the tahini, garlic, oil, lemon juice, and salt. Process for a minute or two, scraping down the bowl as needed. Process more for a smoother consistency, less for a chunkier consistency, as desired.
Add the caramelized onions (reserving some for garnish) and pulse until combined.
Add the water and process until creamy. If the mixture is too thick, you can add an additional tablespoon of water. Process until the mixture reaches the desired texture.
Garnish with reserved onions and a drizzle of olive oil.

How to serve

Serve the caramelized onion hummus with pita chips, tortilla chips, or veggie dippers.
Serve with fresh naan bread.
Add to a mezze platter (a snack board of various Mediterranean flavors).
Use as a sandwich spread, like on this Pita Wrap with Hummus and Veggies.

How to store

Store the hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Homemade hummus should be eaten within 4-5 days.

Equipment

Non-stick skillet | Food processor | Measuring spoons | Juicer | Mesh strainer

Caramelized Onion Hummus