We’ve all hopped on the hummus train at some point in our lives. Whether it’s at buffet dinners or tailgating parties, you’ve likely dipped into a creamy bowl of mashed chickpeas with a piece of fluffy pita or fresh crunchy vegetables and thought, “Man, this stuff is tasty.”
However, after one too many plain experiences, it can seem a little boring.
Well, my friends, it’s time to change the name of the hummus game with this Spicy Cilantro Jalapeño flavor idea.
Cilantro and jalapeño together is one of my favorite flavor profiles of all time. The herbaceousness of the cilantro when paired with the spicy jalapeño pepper is an explosion that dances over your taste buds with ease.
You can use this flavor combination in a variety of ways, from enchiladas to burritos to rice and so much more. And my latest obsession?
Adding it to creamy hummus!
The creamy mashed chickpea-based mixture is just begging for this intense flavor boost. The powerful combination of jalapeño and cilantro really enhances the rich, classic dip to make it truly unforgettable.
Note: If you want to amp up the spice to the level of five-alarm fire, add the seeds and insides of the jalapeños you chop up. This dip is already spicy, but for those of you who love to challenge the ability of your taste buds, it’s an easy way to increase the spice level and make it even more of a conversation starter.
Plus, this dip is so much easier to make than you could ever imagine. All you need is a food processor or a blender! You simply add all of the ingredients to the appliance and blend it all up until it is smooth and creamy.
Some cooks like to remove the skins from their chickpeas but that just decreases their healthy fiber content. A high-speed blender or your trusty food processor will create a smooth and satisfying puree without removing any of the good stuff.
And that’s it! You can whip this up in mere moments, making it great for serving up for parties or impromptu guests. Or it’s a fantastic healthy option to serve the kids when they get home from school with fresh vegetables.
It’s More Than Just a Dip
You can honestly use this hummus in so many ways. My favorites include:
- Serving up a bowlful with fresh crunchy vegetables, homemade pita bread, and/or pita chips.
- Using it as a spread on your favorite turkey club sandwich or vegetarian sandwich with avocado and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Trying it in your vegetable wrap for lunch.
- Wrapping up a tablespoon of it inside a flattened chicken breast, rolling it in breadcrumbs, and baking for a flavorful main dish.
- Setting it out on an appetizer platter as a dip for crackers like buckwheat cheddar or parmesan rosemary, alongside a selection of cheeses. It’s delicious alongside charcuterie as well!
So get creative with how you use your dip next time you need some recipe variety in your life! And you can check out our article on creating the perfect meat and cheese platter for more ideas for your next gathering.
You can really broaden palate by being a little creative. The only question is, how will you break the mold with this delightful recipe first?
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Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Spicy Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus packs a ton of heat into every flavorful bite. It’s easy to make and easier to eat with vegetables or pita bread.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 oz) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2/3 cups tahini
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno, seeds removed and finely diced
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a food processor. Process until all ingredients are incorporated and hummus is smooth.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors meld before serving with tortilla chips and/or cut vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking by the Numbers…
Step 1 – Prep and Measure Ingredients
Finely dice the jalapeño, and remove the stems from the cilantro. Mince the garlic (I love using my garlic press for this) and juice the lemon.
Drain the chickpeas in a colander.
Measure out all of the remaining ingredients you will need for the recipe.
Step 2 – Puree
Add all measured ingredients to a food processor.
Turn the food processor on high and puree until smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste as desired.
If you would like to increase the heat, you can add additional chopped jalapeño or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper until you achieve the desired flavor profile. You can also add additional cilantro leaves if you would like more herbaceous notes!
Step 3 – Refrigerate
Refrigerate for one hour before serving to let the flavors meld together. The longer it sits, the better it tastes! You can also store it in an airtight container for up to a week to use in any of the variety of ways outlined above.
When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip!
The spicy, herbaceous flavor of this dip has multiple uses as I mentioned above, but if you are serving it up as a traditional dip, the first question that comes to mind is – “what do you use to dip it with?”
If you are hoping to keep things healthy, consider seasonal vegetables! For the spring, crisp tender roasted asparagus can be a delicious option to change things up from the traditional celery and carrot options. Consider serving crunchy bell peppers and, when the weather is warm, grill them for additional flavor!
Pita bread and pita chips are also great serving ideas, but consider also tortilla chips for a better crunch. You can even add a little salsa on top of a layer of hummus on toasted slices of French bread for a festive appetizer that everyone will love.
No matter which way you serve it, the spice levels in this hummus are just the sassy delicious flavor you need to wow the crowd!
Give this recipe a try and be sure to rate it below! Don’t forget to tell us how you served the dip up – with tortilla chips? On a salad? We’d love to know!
While we have plenty of gourmet hummus recipes, try even more alternative dip options for your next party:
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Photos by Meghan Bassett, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details.
Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.
About Meghan Yager
Meghan Yager is a food addict turned food and travel writer with a love for creating uncomplicated, gourmet recipes and devouring anything the world serves up. As the author of the food and travel blog Cake 'n Knife, Meghan focuses on unique foodie experiences from around the world to right at home in your own kitchen.
Love the idea of adding jalapeno to the hummus.