How to Make Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus- It’s easy!

If you like making your own hummus, try making some cilantro jalapeno hummus! Traditional hummus flavors along with the fresh flavor of the cilantro, and a bit of heat from the jalapeno are so delicious together. Serve it up with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sumac, and you’ll have an impressive dip!  Once you learn how to make cilantro jalapeno hummus, you’ll find yourself making it often. It’s easy to make and is a real crowd-pleaser! 

Ingredients to make Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus

Store-bought hummus options are widely available, but why buy it when it’s so easy to make? Homemade hummus tastes much better because you have more control over the quality of the ingredients you use, which really impacts the flavor. Take, for example, the fresh herbs used in this recipe, there’s no comparison!

Garbanzo Beans-

This recipe is made using canned garbanzo beans. A can of chickpeas is the same thing. Just open the can and drain the liquid. No need to rinse the beans.

You can also make your own beans from scratch if you prefer.

Tahini–

Tahini sauce is made of sesame seeds that have been ground to make a sesame seed paste. It has a rich nutty flavor. It’s important to find a good quality tahini. You can easily find Tahini a middle eastern market, online, and now many grocery stores carry good brands. Taste and texture can vary a bit, so try a few brands to determine your favorite. I recently tried Trader Joe’s organic tahini and thought it was very good.

Fresh Lemon Juice–

Lemon juice is traditionally used in hummus. This recipe would also be good with lime juice if you want to experiment.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil–

Good quality extra virgin olive oil makes a difference in the taste. Use your favorite. There’s a bit in the recipe, and you can drizzle a bit on top of the hummus when it’s served.

Garlic Cloves–

Fresh garlic cloves add a lot of flavor to hummus. You can always add more or less garlic to the hummus depending on your taste. When in a pinch, garlic powder will work fine.

Fresh Jalapenos–

This recipe calls for 1 jalapeno that has been deseeded. Leave the seeds in if you want to up the heat level. You can also add another jalapeno or use less jalapeno, depending on your personal preference.

Fresh Cilantro–

Not only does the fresh cilantro make the hummus taste good, but it makes the hummus look so colorful and fresh as well! I’ve heard many chefs say that cilantro stems have so much flavor, so I always include them in the recipe.

Ground Cumin–

Cumin is a spice often used in traditional hummus. It has a warm earthy flavor which gives the hummus a bit more complexity.

Sumac–

Sumac is a spice. It’s deep red in color and adds a tart, almost lemony taste to a dish. When serving the cilantro jalapeno add a sprinkle to the top. You can find sumac in Middle Eastern markets and online.

Sumac is optional. You can also top the hummus with paprika, or a bit more cumin.

Water–

You’ll need a little water to help make the hummus creamy. Maybe 1/4 cup of cold water more or less. If you like a thicker hummus, use less.

Kosher Salt–

Kosher salt is always to taste. If you use canned beans with salt already added, you might not need very much. Just taste the hummus to determine the amount you want.

Making the Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus

1. Assemble and prep the ingredients and equipment needed for the hummus.
2. In a food processor or high-power blender (like a Vitamix), blend the garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, cumin powder, and salt. Blend everything until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit of water and blend again.
3. Transfer the hummus to a bowl or a plate and drizzle with good quality extra virgin olive oil, then finish with a sprinkle of sumac.

What to serve with Hummus Dip

You serve Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus just like you would with a traditional hummus recipe, alongside pita bread and fresh vegetables.  I also like to serve it with pita chips, tortilla chips, crackers, or even pretzels, but you can come up with combinations and your own version of tasty sides!

A great option for a healthy snack is to eat hummus with some slices of cucumber, bell pepper, radish slices, and some carrot sticks.

Hummus can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Low Sodium Hummus Recipe Option

If you’re looking for a low-sodium hummus option this Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus recipe is perfect because the fresh herbs and jalapenos add additional flavors for your tastebuds! Also, consider adding a bit more lemon in the recipe, or a squeeze of juice to plated hummus to enhance the flavors naturally and without any added salt. A sprinkle of sumac also adds a tangy tart flavor. Served with some fresh veggies, it’s a perfect snack!

Keep these simple guidelines in mind.

You can always reduce the sodium in a hummus recipe. The ingredients you need to pay attention to when making hummus are the garbanzo beans you use, the tahini, and the spices. Of course, do not add any salt to the recipe if you want a low-sodium version.

Garbanzo Beans– If you are using canned beans, use the NO SALT ADDED ones. Eden or Westbrae are brands that have a no-salt option. There are the low-sodium option cans of garbanzo beans as well. I buy low-sodium cans of garbanzos at Costco. If you choose to cook your beans from scratch, just don’t add any salt!

Tahini– Always check for added salt in the ingredients. I was surprised to discover that the Whole Foods brand had added salt to the tahini. I would say though, that most brands don’t add it. The ingredients should just be the tahini which is ground sesame seeds.

Spices– If you are using a sprinkle of spices to top off your hummus, and it’s a blend, make sure there isn’t salt added. Just use things like sumac, cumin, or even paprika for example.

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