Description
This creamy Butter Bean Hummus is a delightful twist on the classic chickpea version, using buttery lima beans for a smooth and rich texture. Enhanced with tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and a touch of aromatic za’atar, this hummus makes a perfect healthy snack or appetizer. Ready in just 10 minutes, it can be enjoyed with fresh veggies, pita bread, or as a flavorful spread.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (14.5-15.5) ounce can butter beans (lima beans), drained but not rinsed
- 1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice (from about ½ lemon)
- 2 tbsp tahini (tahina, ground sesame, tahini paste)
- 1 clove roasted garlic or raw garlic
- ¾ tsp za’atar (or your preferred spice such as cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, etc.)
- ¼ tsp kosher or fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp fresh ground pepper, plus more to taste
- Sesame seeds or fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
Roasted Garlic (Optional)
- 1 head garlic
- Olive oil for drizzling
- Aluminum foil for wrapping
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Drain the can of butter beans but do not rinse them to retain some of the starchy liquid which helps in blending.
- Combine in Food Processor: Add the drained butter beans, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons tahini, 1 clove roasted or raw garlic, ¾ teaspoon za’atar, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper into the bowl of a food processor or blender.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blend the mixture on high speed for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency. If the hummus is too thick, add a little more olive oil or some water to achieve your desired texture.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the hummus and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed for balance and flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl, drizzle with extra olive oil, and sprinkle with sesame seeds or fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately with pita, crackers, or veggies.
- Optional Roasted Garlic Preparation: Preheat your oven to 425℉ (220℃). Remove the papery skin from a garlic head, then slice off ¼ to ½ inch from the top to expose the individual cloves. Drizzle olive oil on the exposed cloves and wrap the garlic head in aluminum foil.
- Roast Garlic: Place the wrapped garlic head in the oven and roast for 40 to 50 minutes until the cloves are golden brown, soft, and caramelized. Allow to cool before using one clove in your hummus recipe for a sweeter, mellow garlic flavor.
Notes
- Using the starchy liquid from the butter beans helps achieve a creamier texture, so avoid rinsing the beans.
- You can customize the seasoning by substituting za’atar with cumin, smoked paprika, or oregano based on your preference.
- If fresh lemon juice is not available, bottled lemon juice can be used but fresh is preferred for brightness.
- Roasted garlic offers a milder, sweeter flavor compared to raw garlic. It can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
- This hummus keeps well refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- For vegan and gluten-free options, this recipe is naturally compliant.
