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Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus

by 147 Comments

Homemade, creamy, fresh hummus. Three bold flavors: balsamic, roasted red peppers, and basil will have you eating this hummus straight from the bowl. Gluten-free, vegan, and fat-free, this is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

I am a big hummus eater. It’s one of those essential grocery items every week. I go through it fast…but I never use it in the traditional way. No, I never use it as dip. Shocker? Probably not, you know I’m pretty non-traditional when it comes to food 😉 What do I constantly use hummus for? Sandwiches!

Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #hummus #glutenfree #vegan #fatfree #soyfree #dip #spread #snack

Hummus sammies are the bom.com! If you’ve never put hummus on a sandwich…you really need to ASAP! I making mine with 2 corn tortillas + hummus (slather-up both the “inside” sides) + all the veggies! Seriously, such a perfect little lunch sandwich! It will change you life 😉 Of course, under my current living situation, it is still much easier to just buy hummus (which I do), but when I’m at home now and have everything I need, making it happens in a snap!

Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #hummus #glutenfree #vegan #fatfree #soyfree #dip #spread #snack

I have always been a die-hard roasted red pepper hummus girl. Every brand makes a red pepper flavor. Tribe, Oasis, Yorgo’s, Engine 2, Cava, Safeway (surprisingly really good), Sabre, Athenos, Ceders, whatever, you get the point. Each one tastes different however, but none of bad. Not spicy or sweet, but that perfect satisfying savory flavor perfect for anything…and sandwiches! If you’ve never even had hummus before, red pepper is a safe reliable first flavor to try 😉 Or you know, you can try making your own.

Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #hummus #glutenfree #vegan #fatfree #soyfree #dip #spread #snack

But I took this one a step further and didn’t just do roasted red pepper, but added in a few fancy fix’ins. Not only a jar of roasted red bell peppers, but also lovely balsamic vinegar and the powerful little herb I like to call basil. These three flavors come to the forefront in this perfect homemade hummus. Even though I use 3 big flavors, they compliment each other well and play with the taste buds in such a way that you’ll just want to each this bowl of hummus with a spoon.

Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #hummus #glutenfree #vegan #fatfree #soyfree #dip #spread #snack

Now before I get to the recipe, I have something we all need to discuss. It has to do with the history of hummus 😉 (I told you I’d do this!). First of all, the only time you are actually eating hummus is when it is made with chickpeas. Why? Because “Hummus” means “Chickpea” in Arabic. So please, for the love of all things foodie-related, stop calling you black bean/white bean/lentil/whatever bean DIP a hummus. It is not, so stop. Please.

Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #hummus #glutenfree #vegan #fatfree #soyfree #dip #spread #snack

Another thing is what we think about now-a-days when it comes to hummus is “hummus bi tahini” which means chickpeas and tahini. (However, I didn’t use tahini in my hummus). This “hummus bi tahini” dish can be traced back to 13th century Cairo, Egypt, in the cookbook Medieval Arab Cookery, but no specific ingredients can be found. Really though, there are no conclusive records as to when the “traditional” hummus came about with the 4 essential tastes of chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and lemon (the popular form of modern times).  Then somehow it became a Greek dish too. So basically the only real take-a-way I have for you is to use the word “hummus” correctly. 😉

Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus

Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #hummus #glutenfree #vegan #fatfree #soyfree #dip #spread #snack

Ingredients: (makes about 2 cups)

+ 2 Cups Cooked Chickpeas

+ 1 8oz Jar of Roasted Red Peppers in Water (rinsed)

+ 1/4 Tsp Cumin

+ 1/4 Tsp Onion Powder

+ 1/2 Tsp Chopped Garlic

+ Dash of Black Pepper

+ 1 Tsp Dried Basil

+ 1 TB of Balsamic Vinegar

Directions:

+ In a food processor, combine the chickpeas (if using canned, make sure you rinse them off), peppers, and all the spices. Give the processor a few pulses to get things started.

+ Then add the balsamic and processes until smooth (or leave a little chunky if you prefer!).

+ Store in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week.

Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 #hummus #glutenfree #vegan #fatfree #soyfree #dip #spread #snack

I know I may have rocked your “hummus-thinking-world” today, but if I catch you calling your black bean dip, “hummus”, we are going to need another intervention 😉 You know I did take Arabic for about 2 weeks…I do have some credibility in the language 😉 Hahahaha! Now go whip up some homemade hummus and use it on a sandwich or top some chicken or fish with it or even swirl it into a dinner bean bowl! Those are all my favorite ways to use hummus 😉 But I guess you can be boring too and just use it as dip for carrots and celery…

So tell me:

+ Have you committed the mortal sin of calling a bean dip, “hummus”, out of pure mistaken ignorance?

+ What is your favorite way to use hummus?

*Recipe linking up for the week! Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeFridays, #RecipeOfTheWeek, #StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, Real Food Recipe Roundup, Tasty Tuesdays, Meatless Mondays, Lena’s Tasty Tuesdays!*

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Comments

  2. Sherry says

    Thanks for another great post. You are certainly well-informed–and that’s a good thing. Thanks for linking up to Funtastic Friday. Hope to see you again this week.

    Reply

  3. Raia says

    Roasted red pepper hummus has got to be one of my favorites! I never thought about adding balsamic to it, though. Gonna have to keep it in mine the next time I make it! Thanks so much for sharing this at Savoring Saturdays, Rebecca! Hope to see you back this weekend! 😉

    Reply

  5. kimmythevegan says

    Yum! I don’t even really like roasted red pepper, but I totally want to make this. I love the idea of adding balsamic and basil to it – what a great combo.
    I totally did not know hummus was arabic for chickpea and feel like a total tool now ;p I love your history lessons – they help me not to make any further faux-pas in the food world.
    Thanks for sharing this over at Healthy Vegan Fridays =) Hope you are having a fabulous week!

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      This will make you LOVE roasted red pepper! So so so yummy!
      Haha! I love learning these foodie-history tid-bits 😉 I’ll be doing them every chance a recipe calls for some clarification!

      Reply

      • kimmythevegan says

        You are actually making me love a lot of things I didn’t know I loved (roasted chickpeas!!!).
        Thanks for sharing this at Healthy Vegan Fridays – this is going to be a feature this week. I’ve pinned it on our Pinterest Board too =)

        Reply

  6. Deborah Davis says

    Hi Rebecca,
    This hummus is a hit! So healthy and delicious! Thank you so much for sharing your Balsamic Roasted Red Pepper Basil Hummus recipe with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I’m pinning and sharing!

    Reply

  20. Nichole says

    This looks DELICIOUS! I’ve recently become a hummus fan and do go through it quickly. I’ll have to give this a try and make my own:)) I’ve never tried it on a sandwhich.

    Reply

  21. Rachel Edington says

    This looks like a delicious recipe. I have been wanted to make a red pepper version, but hadn’t thought of adding balsamic. You are a clever, clever girl. Hey BTW I never cook by chickpeas for hummus, do find it better if you do?

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      It’s so good!
      Well you can’t used hard dry? So of course! I do soak and cook my own insteadbof canned, if that’s what you mean.

      Reply

  22. Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts says

    Roasted red pepper hummus is definitely my favorite flavor of hummus, Rebecca. I use it to make my Brazilian Un-Cheese Biscuits more often than I use it in other ways. I love both balsamic and basil so I’m intrigued by your homemade version and thanks for the hummus lesson. 🙂

    xo,
    Shirley

    Reply

  23. Claire says

    Yummm! Red pepper hummus is my absolute favorite and although I’m in the same boat as you–it’s hard to justify making hummus at college when you can save so much time by just buying it–I will DEFINITELY be trying this recipe the next time I’m at home! 🙂

    Reply

  29. Elena says

    One of our favorites is roasted red pepper hummus- I love the idea of adding balsamic. I have a great smoked balsamic right now that I bet would be lovely.

    Reply

  30. Lean Lena says

    I love hummus! And I put it on sandwiches all the time 🙂 It is a perfect alternative to cheese spread or mayo, and makes your sandwich SO much better!
    Great recipe! Thanks for linking it up with Tasty Tuesday this week 🙂

    Reply

  35. Bailey K. says

    My husband would love this. He loves everything roasted red pepper. I finally figured out how to make a tasty healthy vegan roasted red pepper dip to dip artichokes in, and I’m addicted. (Saving your recipe to try this week, btw.)

    Reply

  42. Mags says

    I know it’s not technically correct, but the Eat Well Enjoy Life yellow lentil hummus is pretty much the best thing ever. This looks really good too though, I may have to try my hand at making my own.

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      I’ll have to try that one 😉 Even if the name is wrong, hahaha!
      O, do try! It is so easy and yuumy!

      Reply

  46. Lou @ Mommy Sanest says

    OK. First of all, I didn’t know that it was bad to call a bean dip hummus — though I don’t know that I’ve made that mistake. The more you know.

    Also, I am hummus obsessed, and my favorite thing to eat with hummus right now is roasted sweet potatoes. Kinda a weird combo.

    Reply

  47. Sarah says

    Yum! I love switching up hummus flavors! I rotate making different flavors, buying ones I stumble across that look interesting, and can’t wait to try this one! My favorite way to enjoy it… hmm hard question. I love it as a dip, to top salads instead of dressing, in power bowls, or in wraps/ sandwiches!

    Reply

  51. Laura says

    well… this looks amazing!
    Pinning for sure.

    I love roasted red pepper hummus. I never really make my own (store bought) though I definitely have all of these ingredients on hand… I don’t really use for sandwiches, but I love hummus for dipping veggies (carrots, snap peas, etc)

    Reply

  54. Kimberly says

    YUM!! I am obsessed with hummus. I use it on sandwiches, as a dip, or I love mixing it with black beans and eating it straight! I’ve been dying to try making it myself, and this seems like a great recipe to try!

    Reply

  55. Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says

    Lovely hummus, Rebecca! I’m a huge fan of all kinds of dips, especially veggie ones — usually have some with at least one of my meals {I make tons in one go, freeze and defrost as needed}. My husband is a straight hummus bi tahini kind of guy, so I make tons of that for him and the more interesting ones for myself. We like to come up with alternative names for mine though — my favorite one is “bummus” {beet hummus} 😉

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Adding beets to hummus is amazing! Hahahaha, and I love the name 😉 I’m going to always use that now!

      Reply

  59. Farrah says

    I adore using hummus for sandwiches! 😀 I don’t use it as a dip all that often, but eeevery now and then, I’ll eat it with baby carrots. (Definitely not at the moment because hello snowpocalypse + my love for everything and anything hot.)

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      Yay, sandwich girls! It really is the best healthy spread!
      Hot hummus? Haha! I had some frozen and forgot to let it defrost yesterday, so I heated it up in the microwave and had a hot hummus sammy! It was good!

      Reply

  61. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    Back when I ate sandwiches hummus always went on them, it adds such a great flavor! Pita and hummus was always a standard appetizer or snack at my house too. It is pretty rough on my stomach (the garlic and onion make it worse but also make it so good!) so it’s very rare for me to eat it now. Looks so good Rebecca!

    Reply

  63. Angie says

    This sounds yummy! We go through a lot of hummus at our house. I can’t wait to try this! Thanks for sharing at Something To Talk About Link Party!

    Reply

  65. Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says

    Someone brought up hummus in one of my classes recently and there were at least 5 or 6 people who didn’t even know what it was!!! Where have you been people…under a rock?! Craziness! Anyways, I love hummus, but I must say I’m a veggie dipping kind of girl 🙂

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      WHAT!? Obviously they have………it’s kinda impossible to not know what hummus is in this day and age….
      Well I want you to spread that hummus on some bread now!

      Reply

  69. Aileen Stewart says

    I like hummus, but se brands are always to high in sodium. I tried to make my own hummus once, but it wasn’t that tasty. his looks like a great recipe to try, so thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  71. Tina Muir says

    Ooooh good idea, I love adding red peppers to my hummus, but love the addition of balsamic vinegar! Great idea! Hummus is such a great snack, and so much nutrition in there too!

    Reply

  72. Jennifer F says

    Looks good! I’m the only one who likes hummus in my house, so I rarely make or buy it . . . . because I’m afraid a big batch will spoil. Someone told me you can freeze it — I am skeptical about what it would do to the texture — have you ever tried that?

    Reply

    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      I ALWAYS freeze it! It is the easiest thing to freeze! And in littler portions for you can have as much as you want!

      Reply

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Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I’m so glad you’re here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services!

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