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I spent $11.47 on three items at the grocery store yesterday, including a $6.29 tub of hummus. Arg! Some foods are so expensive. I vowed to reconsider making my own hummus, which I eat a ton of. But food processors are also expensive (and I abhor cleaning all those parts) so I’m skeptical that making it myself is actually cheaper.
How does the cost break down over one year?
Store bought hummus costs $6.29 per week = $327.08 per year.
Homemade hummus = chickpeas ($1.19 bag) + olive oil (approx. $.87 worth) + lemons (approx $.35 each) + garlic (approx. $.15 worth) + sesame oil (approx. $.05 worth) + spices (approx. $.15 worth) = $2.76 for one batch = $143.52 per year + the cost of the food processor, which I’m willing to spend $60 on. (That should get me a pretty hefty processor at Macy’s, where they are on sale by 40% off today.)
That brings the total cost of homemade hummus for one year to $203.52. I’m going to get myself a food processor!!!!
As for the time it takes, I consider both options equal. I have to go to a special store to get hummus, which takes me a good 30 minutes. If I make a double batch of hummus every other week, it will take me an hour.
Here is my friend Kristin’s delicious hummus recipe that I based the costs on.
2 – 15 oz cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed (I buy them dry and follow directions on the bag)
1/2 c extra virgin olive oil, or more as needed
juice of 1/2 a lemon
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 t salt
1/2 dark Asian sesame oil
1 t ground cumin
1/4 t Cayenne pepper
12-15 grinds black pepper
How do you make hummus? I know there are a lot of variations out there.
UPDATE: Readers shared lots of tips and recipe suggestions.
Laura said:
Yes, I agree to make your own. I’d go for the Cuisinart processor, get the basic model with the bar on the bottom.Also, the sesame paste is a key ingredient–you can get it at Cambridge Farms Market on the NE corner of Whitsett and Burbank Blvd. in N. Hollywood. You can cut a bit of the oil if you want and add a spoon or two of water to get the right consistency.
BRB said:
just started making my own hummus and falafel, we had never really eaten either before, but with the food processor it is so cheap and easy it really is ridiculous what they charge for it. I add curry to mine for a really great curried hummus.
Monica said:
We only make hummus at home and LOVE IT! We do buy the canned chickpeas to save the time of cooking them. We have found a new hummus jalapeno recipe that is amazing! A food processor is a must in our kitchen, I make our kids baby food and typically drain the processor in around 12 months from purchase time. Any recommendation on a great food processor that can handle daily use?
Audry suggested I check Tuesday Morning before running out to Macy’s and Tommy said Walmart has processors for $50. Christine recommended the Healthmaster Blender, which is pricey at $200 but apparently is easy to clean and has many other functions. Many readers suggested I buy hummus from Trader Joe’s, which is cheaper than my local grocery store.
April 8th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
in a pinch ~ trader joe’s hummus is delish and very affordable.
April 8th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Hmm. I don;t know why you would have to go to a special store for hummus; these days I find several different brands at Ralphs and Trader Joe’s carries it for a lot less than $6.29
Of course, there is nothing like home made and anyone who cooks at all should have a food processor in their kitchen! One place to look for a processor before you buy: Tuesday Morning.
April 8th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
I started making my own hummus a while back to save money, and I like experimenting with my own flavors. I don’t own a food processor but use my blender instead and find it comes out pretty creamy. It usually takes me about 15min to make up a batch.
Here is my basic recipe:
Can of chickpeas (drained but keep liquid to add later)
about 3 tablespoons of sesame seed paste
juice from one small lime
2 cloves garlic
chopped cilantro
1-2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 teaspoon of cumin
(pinch of salt)
I add the chickpeas, cumin, sesame seed paste, lime juice, olive oil, and garlic to blender. I start blending and slowly add some of the chickpea liquid a little at a time until I get the consistency I like.
I sometimes chop up cilantro and sprinkle on top
April 8th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Purchase the Healthmaster Blender…It’s $200.00, but you will make your money back in just a couple of weeks..not only will you be able to make your own hummus , smoothies, frozen coffee drinks, etc…It’s 20 appliances in 1 and is truly worth the money, because in the long run, you will save yourselves tons of $$$, especially if you buy as much hummus as you say you do…and by the way, the Healthmaster Blender is only 2 pieces you have to wash..the container and the lids…
April 8th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
I like my Magic Bullet and I only paid $49.00.
Whatever you buy, check Bed Bath and Beyond with their 20% coupon
April 8th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
We only make hummus at home and LOVE IT! We do buy the canned chickpeas to save the time of cooking them. We have found a new hummus jalapeno recipe that is amazing! A food processor is a must in our kitchen, I make our kids baby food and typically drain the processor in around 12 months from purchase time. Any recommendation on a great food processor that can handle daily use?
April 8th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Walmart sells great food processors for$49.99!!!!!
April 8th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Trader Joe’s sells a variety of hummus and the large ones are only $3.99!! And they are SOOOOOO good! Try them!
April 8th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I just started making my own hummus and falafel, we had never really eaten either before, but with the food processor it is so cheap and easy it really is ridiculous what they charge for it. I add curry to mine for a really great curried hummus.
April 8th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
In addition to the many delicious and reasonably priced varieties at Trader Joes, Costco sells Sabra hummus in a HUGE container which should easily last you a few weeks and it’s still somewhere in the neighborhood of the $6.29 you spent somewhere else.
April 8th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Yes, I agree to make your own. I’d go for the Cuisinart processor, get the basic model with the bar on the bottom.Also, the sesame paste is a key ingredient–you can get it at Cambridge Farms Market on the NE corner of Whitsett and Burbank Blvd. in N. Hollywood. You can cut a bit of the oil if you want and add a spoon or two of water to get the right consistency.
April 8th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Its called Tahini..(sesame paste)
April 8th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
I’m a big fan of homemade hummus — with fresh lemon juice squeezed in as you serve it, it really is better than store-bought. My recipe is similar to yours, only with the tahini paste. I got it from the original Silver Palate. I highly recommend using the canned beans, they taste just as good in the end product and will cut down your prep time!
April 8th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
I have an excellent blender that I received for a wedding shower gift nearly 50 years ago, and it’s still working like gang-busters! I also have 2 food processors, one mini and one regular size, which I use for various things. I sometimes use sesame seeds (toasted before using) in place of the sesame paste/tahini. Using the garbanzo liquid from the canned beans is great for thinning the hummus to the consistency you want. I’d take the best parts of any of the above suggestions to suit your palate, and go for it!
April 8th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
If you don’t have a Costco card, Sam’s Club also sells a hugh container of different flavors of hummus for about $6. My old Black and Decker food processor works great but I like the idea someone posted about using a blender.
April 9th, 2010 at 12:08 am
Jon’s Market, Goldenwest north of Edinger, H. Beach sells large can of hummus with tahini/garlic for about $1.59 – I add lemon juice, olive oil, more garlic and green chile sauce to spice it up – mmmm. Fresh & Green on Hacienda Blvd/Francisquito, La Puente, also sells canned hummus for about $1.
April 9th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
I AGREE with Mitzy. I too buy the CANED Hummus at all Midle Eastern Stores, such as at Jons, Kings Market, etc … It is cheap and delicious. They come in Small and Large Cans. I too add some more of lemon juice, smashed garlic, a tbs of Tahini ( sesame paste ) salt, pepper and cummin to taste. Decorate it with some ground red chillies and parsley. YUMMY ! Try it and you would love it. Easy and Cheap !!!