The next time you’re craving a healthy snack, look no further than hummus. The creamy chickpea dip is packed with fiber and protein, making it a satisfying choice when you need something to tide you over between meals (a registered dietitian also named it the best snack for weight loss).
While you could make hummus from scratch—you could use our 4.6-star Classic Hummus recipe, for instance—store-bought hummus is a timesaving, convenient option. However, not all hummus is created equal, so we decided to put brands to the test to help you find the tastiest one.
For the test, we solely focused on products that fell into the “classic” or “original” category. Our initial list was 44 brands long, but then we took a look at the nutrition information to narrow the field. Each product had to be widely available and needed to meet the following nutrition parameters: 100 calories or less and 140 milligrams sodium or less per serving to align with EatingWell’s nutritional guidelines for a healthy dip.
With those parameters in place, we got to taste-testing 18 tubs of hummus. We tasted each hummus as is, without any dippers, to get the best sense of its flavor. Keep reading to find out why Esti’s Original Recipe Hummus was the top pick of both our food editors and registered dietitians. Plus, learn about another pick that we felt belonged in a category of its own.
The #1 Hummus to Buy
Esti’s Original Recipe Hummus is the best store-brand hummus to buy, according to our testers. The hummus looked like what we felt like good hummus should look like—a creamy shade of tan rather than the unnatural-looking variations of yellow that some other brands had.
The original hummus was super smooth without any bits or chunks (some others were oddly chunky), resulting in a creamy, almost whipped-like texture. The consistency was a plus according to our testers, especially as other hummus brands were deemed too thick, too chalky or both. Its creamy texture also resulted in a smooth mouthfeel.
Related: I Swear By These 4 Chef Secrets to Make the Best Ultra-Creamy Hummus
From a taste perspective, the chickpea and tahini flavors really shined. While those are two of the main ingredients in hummus, our testers discovered that those flavors are not always guaranteed. Other products had a variety of unappetizing flavors, garnering descriptions from our testers that included plasticky, bitter and sour—and one hummus even had two of our tasters questioning why it tasted like pickles. Luckily, none of those adjectives can be used to describe Esti’s original hummus. Instead, our food editors and registered dietitians loved the hummus’s flavor. One tester said, “I like how it has a unique, slightly smoky flavor. It makes it feel more special than typical store-bought hummus.” The smokiness blended well with the nutty tahini flavor, resulting in a deliciously savory hummus that had our testers going back for more.
Not only is the hummus packed with flavor, but you’ll also get a little protein. Here’s the nutrition breakdown for one 2-tablespoon serving:
- Calories: 90
- Total fat: 8 grams
- Saturated fat: 1 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Total carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Total sugars: < 1 g (0 g added sugars)
- Protein: 2 g
Related: Is Hummus a Healthy Food?
So the next time you’re wanting a healthy snack, try Esti’s Original Recipe Hummus. Whether you pair it with pita bread, veggies, crackers or pretzels, hummus is a great snack to keep on hand.
Honorable Mention
Hope Original Recipe Hummus also stood out in our taste test—so why didn’t it take the No. 1 spot? While Hope classifies the product as original, our testers felt the flavor profile was better suited to a spicy category, so it was tough to compare it to the classic and original hummus. Featuring cumin, black pepper and cayenne pepper, the hummus indeed had an enticing spiciness to it, resulting in a lingering heat in the back of the throat. Texture-wise the hummus was definitely on the chunkier side, but our testers didn’t mind. If you’re looking for a bolder-flavored hummus than original, Hope’s hummus is an excellent store-bought choice.
Up Next: The 6 Best Salsas You Can Buy at the Grocery Store
FAQs
The #1 Hummus to Buy. Esti's Original Recipe Hummus is the best store-brand hummus to buy, according to our testers. The hummus looked like what we felt like good hummus should look like—a creamy shade of tan rather than the unnatural-looking variations of yellow that some other brands had.
What are the best hummus brands? ›
The 7 Best Store-Bought Hummus Brands At The Grocery Store, According To Chefs
- Sabra. Sabra Classic Hummus. ...
- Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's Dill Pickle Hummus. ...
- Walmart. Fresh Cravings Lemon Garlic Hummus. ...
- Lantana. Lantana Foods Sriracha Carrot Hummus. ...
- Whole Foods. Cedar's Original Hommus. ...
- Miami Twist. Miami Twist Hummus. ...
- Mercato.
Many store-bought hummus brands contains tahini, in addition to added oils. Canola oil (rapeseed oil) and soybean were found in some of the brands. These oils are ones to avoid because they're not only likely derived from GMOs, unless verified as GMO free, but canola oil is produced using solvents.
Is hummus healthy yes or no? ›
Hummus is a healthy, versatile snack. It is packed with nutrients and offers protection from various diseases. It's easy to make your own at home, and you can find all kinds of flavors at the grocery store, from black bean, roasted garlic, and coconut curry to red velvet and chocolate mint.
Why has Sabra hummus been discontinued? ›
In March 2021, a salmonella contamination recall on products made at Sabra's Virginia factory took a devastating toll on the brand, which lost half its market share in just one quarter.
Is it OK to eat hummus everyday? ›
While hummus is a very healthy snack option, it should not be consumed in large quantities.
How much hummus should you eat a day? ›
A healthy portion size of hummus is around 2-4 tablespoons a day, but this must be considered alongside the rest of your diet. There are around 27 calories in a tablespoon of pre-prepared hummus, however, this may alter if you make your own at home.
Is hummus a fat or carb or protein? ›
First, let's look at the nutrition stats for hummus: a 2-tablespoon serving contains about 70 calories, 2 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of carbohydrates and 1.5 grams of fiber. The verdict based on the numbers and ingredients? Hummus is healthy—and you can include it as part of a nutritious diet.
Why is hummus so expensive? ›
A low rainfall over the last few years has left growers short on their annual chickpea harvest. Most of the chickpeas harvested in India are consumed domestically, forcing an increased import of the legume from other growers worldwide, reports the New York Times.
What to look for when buying hummus? ›
Read on and see for yourself!
- Check for Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). The best store hummus is made just as you would make it at home—with real extra virgin olive oil! ...
- Look for the “USDA Certified Organic” label. ...
- Make sure your store bought hummus is Cold Pressed. ...
- Avoid unhealthy preservatives and additives.
Israeli hummus is revered for its smooth and creamy consistency, often achieved by a generous addition of tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds. Tahini adds a rich, nutty flavor that perfectly balances the earthy taste of chickpeas.
Why do I feel bad after eating hummus? ›
If you experience symptoms of a food allergy after eating hummus, your first reaction may be to blame the most common ingredient: chickpeas. Before you blame chickpeas for the cause of your allergies, you may also want to consider other allergenic ingredients used in hummus, such as: garlic. beans.
What is unhealthy about hummus? ›
Hummus is fairly high in sodium, and some commercial formulas may be quite high in sodium. Sodium is a vital nutrient, but high sodium intake correlates with a higher risk of high blood pressure. Over time, this can increase the risk of developing heart disease.
What weedkiller was found in hummus? ›
New research from EWG found traces of the weed-killing chemical glyphosate in multiple samples of non-organic hummus. Glyphosate has been linked to cancer previously, though experts are conflicted on how much glyphosate in food is dangerous to human health.
Is store-bought hummus healthy for you? ›
A: Many packaged hummus brands are pretty healthy – the basic ingredients are chickpeas, tahini (sesame seed paste), olive oil, garlic and lemond juice. But making it at home allows you to control the sodium, calories and nutrients.
How do I choose hummus? ›
The best types of hummus will meet the following criteria:
- Contains only Extra Virgin Olive Oil instead of regular olive oil, sunflower oil, or canola. ...
- Bears the USDA Certified Organic seal, which means it doesn't contain harmful levels of pesticides or GMO ingredients.
Best Overall: Ithaca Fresh Lemon Garlic Hummus. Runner-Up: Sabra Classic Hummus, Cedar's Organic Original Hommus. Best Topped Hummus: Private Selection Traditional Hummus, Private Selection Mediterranean Hummus. Best Naked Hummus: Lilly's Classic Hummus. Best Organic Hummus: Boar's Head Simplicity Organic Hummus.
