Impress your guests with delicious beet hummus! Packed with flavor & nutrition, this roasted red beet dip is a perfect appetizer to serve with veggies or pita.
Beet hummus is a unique and nutritious twist on the classic recipe. Incorporating beets adds an earthy sweetness and vibrant color to the hummus, making it an eye-catching and healthy addition to any snack or appetizer spread. Not only does it taste amazing, but it also packs a punch with its numerous vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
I've tried various such recipes and discovered that balancing the flavors is the key to the perfect dish. Cooking beets brings out their natural sweetness, which pairs beautifully with the tangy lemon, garlic, and warm spices. Using high-quality tahini and extra-virgin olive oil adds a creaminess that elevates this dip to perfection. Finally, my one secret ingredient to making the flavor more nuanced comes from Asian cuisine: sesame oil.
In my quest for the best recipe, I learned that Asian ingredients like sesame oil and sesame seeds interact well with beetroot's rich flavor. The result is a speedy, no-fuss recipe that tastes like more than the sum of its parts while preserving the earthy, sweet, and tangy flavors we all love in beet hummus.
This recipe is my kids' favorite hummus recipe of all time!
What Is Hummus?
Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern dip and spread made from chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. The main ingredients in hummus are chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. Beet hummus adds roasted beets and sesame oil to the mix, giving it a vibrant color and unique flavor profile.
Hummus is a versatile and healthy snack or meal addition. It is rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking for a nutritious and satisfying snack. My kids love having hummus as a snack or a light lunch spread.
Beet hummus is particularly appealing to kids and adults because it takes the classic recipe to a new level. The addition of beets provides stunning color and infuses the spread with extra vitamins and minerals such as iron, potassium, and Vitamin C.
Give it a try and elevate your snack game with a serving of healthy beet hummus!
Health Benefits of Beets
This vegan hummus not only tastes rich, but it's also packed with essential nutrients that support overall health. Beets, the star ingredient of this recipe, are low in calories yet loaded with nutrition. They are an excellent source of fiber, which aids in digestion and supports heart health by reducing cholesterol levels naturally.
I appreciate that beets are rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, folate (vitamin B6), and potassium. They also contain magnesium, iron, and calcium, contributing to increased energy levels and proper muscle function.
In addition to their nutritional value, beets have been linked to various health benefits, from their anti-inflammatory properties to supporting brain health, making them a great addition to any diet.
Including beet hummus in your meals is a tasty, easy, and nutritious way to enjoy the benefits of beets while getting the added protein from chickpeas.
What Is Special About This Beetroot Hummus
This homemade recipe is a delightful twist on the classic hummus variation we all know and love. I adore this recipe for several reasons:
- Visual appeal: Beet hummus has an attractive, vibrant pink hue that's visually enticing and perfect for impressing at gatherings.
- Flavor combination: The beets provide a slightly sweet, earthy flavor that pairs well with the tang of fresh lemon and the nuttiness of tahini.
- Variety: This recipe offers an interesting change from traditional hummus, with a unique and delicious taste that will leave an impression.
- Ease of preparation: Canned beets and chickpeas make this recipe easy to whip up. There is no need for hours of preparation or cooking.
- A hit with kids and adults: My kids love this beet appetizer's sweet, rich flavor!
- Healthy: Not only is this recipe simple to make, but it's also a powerhouse of health benefits. High in valuable nutrients, low in fat and sugar, and a great source of carbohydrates and fiber, this spread aids in digestion while offering an energy boost.
Make this super easy hummus your own, and I'm confident you'll enjoy it as much as I do. The unique blend of flavors and simplicity of the recipe make it a must-try dish that will keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients
- Beets: Provide vibrant color and a mild earthy flavor. You can use roasted, boiled, or canned beets, including golden beets for a unique twist.
- Chickpeas: Form the creamy base of the hummus. Both canned chickpeas and dried chickpeas work well, but using canned ones being more convenient.
- Tahini: Adds a rich, nutty flavor and smooth texture to the hummus.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice brightens the hummus with a zesty contrast to the earthy beets.
- Garlic: Enhances the hummus with a savory punch, adjustable to your garlic preference.
- Sesame oil: A secret ingredient that enhances the nutty undertones of the tahini.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors, bringing the ingredients together harmoniously.
- Sesame seeds: Optional for decoration but complement the flavor of sesame oil.
See the recipe card for details.
Directions to make this Roasted Beet Hummus
Cook the beets
To start, cook the fresh beets. You can roast the beets in the oven for 45 minutes, but boiling or using an Instant Pot is quicker. To boil, peel and cut the beets into medium-sized pieces, then transfer them to a saucepan filled with water. Cover with a lid and cook until they can be easily pierced with a fork. Once cooked, drain and cool the beets.
Blend the hummus
Gather your ingredients: cooked beets, chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt. Have extra virgin olive oil and water on hand to achieve the perfect texture for smooth hummus.
In a food processor or high-powered blender, blend all the ingredients until smooth. If the hummus is too thick, add a drizzle of olive oil or water to reach a creamy consistency. Use unsalted cooked chickpeas to manage sodium and cholesterol levels, adjusting seasoning to taste.
Plate the beet hummus
Once the hummus is smooth and creamy, spread it on a large plate or bowl. Top with a few remaining chickpeas, white and black sesame seeds, a drizzle of olive oil, flaky sea salt, black pepper, and parsley. The result is a vibrant, mouthwatering beet hummus perfect with crackers or veggies. Enjoy!
Storage
Transfer leftover beet hummus to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The hummus will thicken over time; stir in a little water or olive oil to adjust the consistency if needed before serving for the desired consistency.
Accompanying Dishes
When it comes to pairing beetroot hummus with other dishes, the options are endless.
I love hummus with pita bread, gluten free crackers or lavosh crackers, as the texture of these options complements the smooth and slightly sweet hummus.
If you're looking for a healthy and low-calorie snack, serve the beet hummus with carrot sticks or cucumber slices, or even spread it on whole-grain toast.
Adding a sprinkle of chopped parsley or tahini paste on top can elevate the taste for those who wish to amplify the flavor. You can also use it as a sandwich spread, in a beet salad, or as part of a charcuterie board.
Try making one of our other creamy hummus recipes:
For a classic hummus, try our smooth and silky Israeli Hummus Recipe. Alternatively, try this Creamy Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus. For something sweet, try this great recipe for Garlic Hummus for our apple and hummus pita chips.
Recipe
Tried and loved this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below! Your reviews mean a lot to me, so if you've got any questions, please let me know in a comment.
Easy and Flavorful Beet Hummus Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 small beets or 1 medium beet cooked until tender
- 1 can of chickpeas 15 oz, drained and rinsed
- 3 tablespoons of tahini
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1-2 garlic cloves minced
- 1-2 teaspoons sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Sesame seeds optional
- Flaky sea salt optional
- Black pepper optional
- Parsley optional
Instructions
- Cook beets by boiling or roasting until tender. To boil beets, cut them into quarters, place them in a saucepan with water, bring to a boil, then simmer until tender for 30-45 minutes. Check for tenderness by piercing them with a fork. To roast beets, wrap each beet in aluminum foil with a drizzle of olive oil, place on a baking sheet, and roast in the oven at 400F (200C) for 45-60 minutes. Check for tenderness by piercing them with a fork.
- In a food processor, blend cooked beets, chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, sesame oil, and salt until smooth. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water or olive oil if too thick.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
- Serve on a plate and top with chickpeas, sesame seeds, olive oil, salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Sherry Ronning says
This was the best colorful dip to add to my charcuterie board. Your beet hummus was super easy to make and a favorite with my guests.
Sue says
This beet hummus is so creamy and delicious, I think it's going to be my lunch for the next couple days!
Tiffany says
My husband loves hummus but I'm always looking for ways to make it even healthier for him. He LOVED the flavor of this beet hummus while I loved the pretty color.
Angela says
As a hummus lover, I'm always looking for fun flavor twists on the classic chickpea dip. When I came across this recipe for beet hummus, I was instantly intrigued. The color is eye-catching and the flavor is outstanding. It's easy to make and fun to serve!