Cilantro Serrano Hummus

She’s creamy, zesty, spicy – and yeah, she’s a little thick. An expert taught me the secret to creating superb hummus, and today is your lucky day! Seriously, you can whip up this cilantro serrano hummus in a breeze. This dip offers versatility and can infuse a flavorful kick into many dishes. However, I must warn you that you’ll find it hard to return to store-bought hummus after making your own. As they say, fresh is best!

The Secret to Superb Hummus

I’m a huge fan of Mediterranean food. It always leaves me feeling refreshed rather than weighed down like some heavy meals do. Living in the city, I used to visit my favorite Mediterranean spot at least once a week. They had an array of hummus and other dip options, each delicious in its own right. The owner once told me the secret behind why her dips were so good: tahini – and lots of it. Tahini wasn’t new to me; I used it frequently in my recipes, but I just never used enough! Trust me when I say that you won’t go wrong by adding an extra spoonful of tahini to most hummus or baba ganoush recipes.

Ingredients:

• Chickpeas: Hummus is an Arabic word that translates to chickpeas! While you could substitute white beans for chickpeas, you would be making a cilantro serrano bean dip, not hummus, although it would still be delicious.
• Tahini: Tahini is made from blended sesame seeds. It has an earthy, nutty flavor and is the ingredient that makes homemade hummus addictively good.
• Garlic: Adds a nice depth of flavor, a little goes a long way.
• Cumin: These ground-up seeds give some warmth and earthy flavors to the cilantro serrano hummus. 
• Lime: To give the dip some zing. Classic hummus recipes use lemon juice, but here we use lime as it pairs well with the other flavors.
• Serrano: These peppers give the dip a spicy kick. Serrano peppers are 2 to 4 times hotter than jalapenos, so use them sparingly.
• Cilantro: You either love it or you hate it. I happen to be obsessed with it. If cilantro is not your thing, you can substitute it with parsley.
• Salt: To enhance the flavors.

How To Make:

Making Cilantro Serrano Hummus is ridiculously easy. The prep work will only take a couple of minutes; then, you place your ingredients in a blender and let it do the rest.

Pairings for Cilantro Serrano Hummus:

Hummus and pita chips form a classic combination, but please don’t limit yourself to just that.

• Toast: One of my personal favorite hummus pairings is on whole wheat toast with thin slices of cucumber and tomato on top, essentially an open-faced sandwich. I often have this for breakfast, and it’s one of my go-to snack options when I need something nourishing fast.
• Salad: Spoon some of this cilantro serrano hummus directly onto your salad for a zesty kick. Add a splash of water and extra virgin olive oil to make a hummus dressing if you prefer. A dollop of hummus on a savory salad always makes a great pairing.
• Baked Potato: Forget the sour cream and say hello to cilantro serrano hummus on your next baked potato! It adds a refreshing twist to a classic side dish.
• Pasta: Cold or hot pasta and hummus make a delicious pairing. Add a splash of pasta water and extra-virgin olive oil, and you have a quick and easy pasta sauce!
• Buddha Bowl: Add a dollop of this cilantro serrano hummus to your favorite Buddha bowl for an extra punch of flavor.

Rate & Comment:

If you make this recipe, please share your thoughts in the comment section below. I would love to hear your feedback. If you made any alterations to the recipe, please share them below!

In summary, this homemade cilantro serrano hummus is a flavor-packed delight. Its creamy, zesty, and spicy qualities make it a versatile addition to any meal or snack. The secret to its excellence lies in the abundant use of tahini.

Whether you’re enjoying it with pita chips, toast, salad, baked potatoes, pasta, or Buddha bowls, this hummus elevates every dish. So, instead of opting for store-bought, try making your own – the freshest option is often the best, and it whips up in a snap.

Cilantro Serrano Hummus

Recipe by Dakota OvdanCourse: AppetizersDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

8

minutes

Total time

10

minutes

This homemade cilantro serrano hummus is a flavor-packed delight. Its creamy, zesty, and spicy qualities make it a versatile addition to any meal or snack.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups of chickpeas (roughly one can)

• 2 tbsp of lime juice (one juicy lime + more to taste)

• 1 tsp of garlic (one medium clove)

• 1/2 tsp of salt (+ more to taste)

• 1/2 tsp of cumin

• 1/2 cup of Tahini 

• 1/4 cup of water

• 1 serrano pepper (+ more to taste)

• 1 bunch of cilantro (roughly 1 packed cup)

Directions

• Ingredient Prep: Roughly chop one medium-sized garlic clove and one bunch of cilantro with stems.  Next, remove the stem from the serrano pepper(s). 
• Blend: In your blending container of choice add all ingredients listed then proceed to blend until smooth! 
• Adjust to Taste:  I usually add an extra tbsp of lime juice, 1-2 more serrano peppers, and 1/4 tsp of salt for a dip that packs a nice punch. Let me know what you end up doing in the comments below. 
• Enjoy! Consume immediately or store in the fridge for up to four days.

Notes

• Hummus will thicken in the fridge.