I Asked 4 Food Pros To Name the Best Store-Bought Hummus—They All Said the Same Brand
It is tasty and has a simple ingredient list.
While I love the flavor of homemade hummus, it’s often the last thing on my to-do list during a busy week. And even if I do have time, the chances that I have all the ingredients on hand to make my favorite recipe are slim.
In turn, I often pick up a container of store-bought hummus during my weekly grocery run. Over the years, I’ve tried many brands, many of which I love. However, I’m never one to say no to trying a new variety, so I decided to ask a handful of food professionals what their favorite store-bought hummus brand is. Surprisingly, they all said the same thing!
The Food Pros I Asked
Susan Choung: Recipe editor for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Prevention, and Woman's Day
Alexandra Foster: Editorial assistant at The Kitchn
Erin Clarke: Creator of the easy, healthy recipe blog Well Plated and author of the best-selling Well Plated Cookbook and Well Plated Every Day
April Benshosan, MS: Freelance food and health editor and writer
The Best Store-Bought Hummus According to Food Pros
When it comes to these food professionals' favorite store-bought hummus, they all agreed that Ithaca Hummus reigns supreme. “I make my own hummus at home but when I'm in a pinch, Ithaca is my go-to. It has that closest-to-homemade flavor, and comes in so many delicious flavor combos,” says Benshosan.
This homemade-like taste is partly due to the short, recognizable ingredients list of their products. “Compared to most store-bought brands, it tastes very similar to homemade and not acrid with preservatives. Peep at the ingredient list and see that it's pretty short and simple,” Choung adds.
Clarke completely agrees, “I love Ithaca Hummus because it’s much more vibrant and fresh than you'd expect from a packaged hummus—and it's super smooth, with a short, simple ingredient list.”
But aside from the high-quality ingredients they use, Ithaca stands out from its competitors with the unique flavors it offers. “They have a great variety of punchy flavors and I love how smooth and tangy it is,” Foster adds. These distinctive flavor options include classic, lemon dill, lemon garlic, french onion, jalapeño lime, lemon beet, roasted red pepper, everything bagel, and black bean.
Choung, Foster, and Benshosan agreed that lemon dill was their favorite. “I love the lemon dill flavor. It's so tangy and bright [and perfect] scooped up on pita or crudité,” says Choung. Meanwhile, Clarke and Benshosan also listed French onion as one of their front runners. “French onion is a fun and surprising option that my guests rave about—try it paired with ruffled potato chips,” Clarke adds. Though she also opts for their classic flavor often, “I love dressing it up with fresh herbs for a homemade touch.”
Of course, this dip can be simply enjoyed with any chips or crudité you love but can also be mixed into salad dressings, used to top grain bowls and salads, or added to sandwiches, pasta, pizzas, and even quesadillas!
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