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 t 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.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
in a pinch ~ trader joe’s hummus is delish and very affordable.
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.
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 🙂
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…
I like my Magic Bullet and I only paid $49.00.
Whatever you buy, check Bed Bath and Beyond with their 20% coupon
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?
Walmart sells great food processors for$49.99!!!!!
Trader Joe’s sells a variety of hummus and the large ones are only $3.99!! And they are SOOOOOO good! Try them!
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.
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.
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.
Its called Tahini..(sesame paste)
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!
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!
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.
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.
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 !!!
in the middle of making this… 1/2 half (WHAT) dark Asian sesame oil??? Tsp, Tablespoon, cup???
Teaspoon! Sorry about that!
If you really want to save buy dried chickpeas/garbanzo beans. For about $1 I get about 4 cans equivalent. You soak them overnight, boil them up and freeze the ones you don’t use. Tahini is definitely needed. My recipes vary. I’ll add chilis and or sun dried tomatoes. Always loads of garlic !!
Just a side note, I’d advise against using the liquid from the beans, especially the canned beans. This is very sugary and also ferments in your gut causing a lot of gas !! Rince the beans alsways with fresh water. Olive oil and clean water to change the texture is the best idea.
I agree with Gaz on the canned water. And it’s debatable if canned food is really healthy. Also, I’d never buy a $50 processor – every time I move, I go to the thrift shops and get nearly new (looking like they’ve never been used) machines for about $6. Costco does have some nice pre-made hummus in little lunch packs … but it’s a lot of plastic waste. A little idea for everyone— if you don’t want garlic breath at work, or you’re a Jain, make it at home without garlic and use Smoked Paprika instead (check your curry powder for garlic too). Do you think toasted sesame oil can be substituted for tahini?
No, I don’t think sesame oil could be substituted for tahini. They have totally different textures.
True – oil wouldn’t substitute as a stand alone tahini dip, but I can’t find tahini in town (small town – no car needed) and I’m thinking hummus with toasted sesame oil…and maybe some seeds on top. I like your recipe. Have you tried bits of olive or sun-dried tomato on it? Or making pita bread?
I’ve also discovered that hummus is great with pretzels – especially for kids – they make less of a mess than chips. Sometimes I also make a raspberry mustard dip for pretzel sticks. Easy party treat.
Are you able to find sesame seeds? Then you could make your own tahini. Here are some instructions: https://minimalistbaker.com/how-to-make-tahini/.
It looks so easy to make the hummus at Home. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us. I would also try to make this definitely.
If you have a pressure cookers dry chickpeas are no work at all. I use the dry and they cost 50cents so to make 3 cups of hummas it is like $1.25 tops.