Caramelized Onion Hummus with Tahini

In this post I’m going to show you how to make Caramelized Onion Hummus with Tahini. It’s a simple, but delicious recipe that can be whipped up in less than an hour – perfect for a quick dinner or game day appetizer! The hummus is made by caramelizing onions and cooking them down until they are browned and sweet. This makes the onion flavor stronger and sweeter, which contrasts nicely against the tanginess of tahini. For dippers, I love using tortilla chips, pita chips or crackers because the crunchy texture contrasts nicely against the creamy hummus! Give this recipe a try today!

Jump to Recipe

Caramelizing onions is such a simple and flavorful way to add depth and richness to dishes like this hummus. Drizzle some olive oil into a skillet, toss in chopped onions, sprinkle with salt and cook over medium heat stirring occasionally until the onion bits are soft and golden brown. The onion flavor will be thickened by the natural sugars caramelized from the high heat cooking process. My favorite onion to use for caramelizing is Vidalia onions.

Ingredients

Before starting this recipe, you’ll want to verify that you have the following ingredients:

• Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas) – I used 1 can of 15 ounce chickpeas and reserved some of the juices. *see below.
• Tahini Paste – Tahini is a creamy paste made of ground sesame seeds. It is used in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and North African cooking as a spread for breads and wraps, or a condiment on hummus and babaganoush. This adds a classic flavor to our hummus.
• Olive oil – You will need a little to roast the bulb of garlic, and keep the hummus moist and creamy.
• Butter – Used to caramelize the onion.
• Garlic – One bulb, roasted will provide lots of flavor. Find everything you need to roast garlic. You can also opt to add to just one raw clove. Roasting is 100% optional, but I loved the nutty flavor it provided.
• Salt & Pepper – To enhance the flavor of the garlic and onion.
• Lemon Juice – A little acid helps to enhance the flavor.
• Cumin – A small amount goes a long way!
• Vidalia Onion – You will need a large one. These are sweet onions that caramelizes really well.

Equipment and Supplies Needed

We used the following equipment and supplies to make this recipe. Items that are optional or can be substituted will be noted.

• Can opener – To open chickpeas.
• Colander – To drain chickpeas.
• Muffin tin – To roast the garlic.
• Skillet – To caramelize the onions.
• Wooden spoon – To cook the onions.
• Food processor – Needed to combine the hummus.

Making Caramelized Hummus

1. Start by slicing a large onion and separating the pieces into rings.
2. Add butter to frying pan over medium heat, then add the onion slices and cook for 15-20 minutes until they are soft and golden brown.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste (you may need more than you think!) Reserve a few onions to garnish the top of your hummus with.
4. Let cool slightly before putting it in your food processor with chickpeas, tahini paste, lemon juice, water, roasted garlic cloves, caramelized onion, ground cumin, black pepper, and olive oil.
5. Process until smooth – about 2-3 minutes depending on your food processor’s power! You will need the reserved chickpea juices if you want your hummus to be creamier. Add one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
6. Transfer to a serving dish of choice (we recommend tortillas or dipping warm pita breads).

Recipe Tips

This recipe is easy to make if you know the right tips and tricks! Here are my tips for ensuring your Caramelized Onion Hummus comes out perfectly.

Chickpea juices

While processing your hummus, you will need to add a little extra liquid to get the creamy consistency desired. By reserving some of the chickpea juices you will not disrupt the flavor of the hummus. This will allow for a creamy texture and uniform flavoring.

Ways to Eat Hummus

1. Hummus is a great dip for vegetables
2. Add hummus to your favorite sandwich or wrap recipe
3. Spread it on toast with veggies and cheese for a quick breakfast or lunch
4. Serve as an appetizer with pita chips, crackers, cucumbers, carrots, and olives
5. Use in place of mayonnaise when making tuna salad sandwiches
6. Slather onto burgers instead of ketchup for something new.

Storage

If you want to store your hummus, just follow these easy steps.

Refrigerator

Store hummus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks and use it as needed

Freezer

If you’re not going to eat all of your hummus before its expiration date, freeze it!

1. Let frozen hummus thaw overnight in the refrigerator and enjoy at your leisure
2. To prevent freezer burn, store humus in small containers that are tightly sealed with foil wrap or plastic wrap
3. Label each container so everyone knows what’s inside (e.g., “Hummus” or “Vegetable Dip”)

Recipe

Follow the recipe below to make Caramelized Onion Hummus. This recipe makes 6 SERVINGS, but you can adjust the recipe card for other serving sizes.

You might also like this Roasted Garlic Hummus without Tahini recipe.