Is Hummus Vegan & Dairy-Free?
Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Last Updated: February 19, 2021

This Middle Eastern spread is not only delicious, but it’s also versatile. Use it as a spread on sandwiches and tortillas, dip veggies, pretzels, and crackers in it, or add it to salads. There’s practically nothing you can’t do with hummus. But, can this chickpea deliciousness ever be off-limits to vegans? Brace yourselves, I’ve got the answer!

Table of Contents

What is Hummus?

As I mentioned, hummus is a Middle Eastern dish enjoyed all over the world. However, it’s most popular in Turkey, Greece, Africa, Cyprus, Israel, Syria, Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon — the territories also known as the Levant.

There’s not a person that hasn’t heard of hummus. Many enjoy it but don’t know what it is.

Every region has its variation of the dish, but is hummus vegan? Yes! Hummus is vegan — almost always.

There are different hummus recipes and other ideas of what the perfect hummus should be like. Still, there are two constants: chickpeas and tahini (sesame seeds butter).

FREE DOWNLOAD 9 Super High-Protein Vegan Recipes

“The emotive power of hummus all over the Middle East cannot be overstated, being the focus of some serious tribal rivalries”

— Yotam Ottolenghi

The name of this tasty dish comes from the Arabic word from chickpeas. Still, the dish’s actual name is hummus bi tahini, which means “chickpeas with tahini.”

Why do Vegans Love It so Much?

Vegans (and a lot more non-vegan people, as far as I know) love hummus for two reasons:

It’s super nutritious
It’s incredibly delicious

Hummus is often considered raw and plant-based, which makes it perfect for the vegan diet. It typically doesn’t have additives, and you can also find low-carb versions.

Hummus Ingredients

As I’ve mentioned, and you probably already knew, chickpeas or garbanzo beans, and tahini are the essential ingredients of any hummus. However, there are a couple more essential ingredients, such as:

Olive oil or water
Garlic
Salt

Lemon juice
Cumin
Parsley, paprika, or sumac for garnishing

These ingredients are blended into smooth and creamy deliciousness we adore. Naturally, hummus may have additional ingredients like:

Coriander
Roasted peppers
Chilli
Pesto

Sriracha
Black beans
Avocado, or
Caramelized onion

There are many creative alternatives to the classic hummus, and you shouldn’t be afraid to try them all.

4 Things That Make Hummus Non-Vegan

As you may have already figured, hummus ingredients are almost always vegan. However, some store-bought hummus flavors may contain non-vegan ingredients you should be aware of. You should always pay close attention to the hummus ingredients, read the label carefully, or contact the hummus manufacturer to get all the facts.

Some hummus variations from grocery stores may contain dairy products or even animal products, making the hummus non-vegan.

The most common hummus ingredients that could make it not vegan-friendly include:

1. Palm Oil

Now, as you probably know, palm oil isn’t non-vegan per se. However, it’s surrounded by many ethical and environmental issues. It’s a controversial ingredient that has divided the world of veganism. Some vegans consider it vegan; some avoid it.

2. Sugar

Sugar is another controversial ingredient. First and foremost, it shouldn’t even be added to hummus. However, if there is sugar in hummus, it raises the question of whether it’s been processed with bone char.

3. Additives

Stabilizers, emulsifiers, and other similar additives are often included to make the hummus even smoother or prolong its shelf life. Some of them aren’t vegan and aren’t even labeled as such.

4. Cross-Contamination

Now, a store-bought hummus may include all the vegan ingredients. However, there still may be an issue of cross-contamination or cross-contact.

This could happen in factories where food that contains dairy and animal products are made, as well. If the hummus you’d like to purchase isn’t clearly labeled as vegan, I’d advise you to do thorough research on the company.

Related:

Ingredients that Make Bagels Non-Vegan
Ingredients that Make Ramen Non-Vegan
Ingredients that Make Raisin Bran Non-Vegan
Ingredients that Make Takis Non-Vegan

Is It Healthy?

Hummus is super delicious, so it’s normal people think it’s unhealthy. But, don’t worry, vegan hummus is super healthy and incredibly nutritious.

Nutrition Facts

I know it’s incredible something so tasty is healthy, but the facts confirm it! Let’s see why hummus is so good for you:

Chickpeas are packed with protein and fiber. Just one cup of chickpeas contains:

Calories: 269
Protein: 14.5 grams
Fiber: 12.5 grams

Folate (vitamin B9): 71% of the RDI
Manganese: 84% of the RDI

Copper: 29% of the RDI
Iron: 26% of the RDI [1]

Plant-based protein will keep you full longer and help you build muscle. In contrast, fiber will keep your blood sugar levels steady, aid digestion, and manage cholesterol.

Many worry about calories from tahini and olive oil. But, contrary to the widespread belief, hummus aids weight loss. The combination of fats and fiber from olive oil and chickpeas helps you manage weight and curb some cardiovascular risk factors [2].

Researchers have found that people who eat hummus regularly have lower BMI and body weight. Hummus also keeps you full longer and curbs your appetite, resulting in weight loss.

Also Read: Are Pop-Tarts Actually Good for Vegans?

5 Vegan-Friendly Brands

To help you choose vegan-friendly hummus, here are a couple of vegan brands I like to have on hand when I’m too lazy to make hummus.

1. Sabra

Sabra has vegan and vegetarian hummus, so be careful when choosing. However, all their flavors are non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher. The brand’s vegan flavors include:

Classic
Jalapeno
Lemon Twist
Olive Tapenade
Organic Simply Roasted Garlic

Organic Simply Roasted Pine Nut
Organic Simply Traditional
Roasted Garlic
Roasted Pine Nut
Roasted Red Pepper

Salsa Verde
Spinach & Artichoke
Sun-Dried Tomato with Italian Herbs
Supremely Spicy

2. Lantana

All of Lantana’s hummus flavors are vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free. All of them are also kosher, except for the Hatch Chile. They offer:

Sweet and Spicy Black Bean
Sriracha Carrot
Edamame
Yellow Lentil

White Bean
Cucumber
Beet
Extra Spicy 3- Pepper

Roasted Garlic
Hatch Chile
Buffalo
Cauliflower

3. Hope Foods

All Hope Foods’ hummus flavors are gluten-free and vegan. They include:

Sea Salt & Olive Oil
Thai Coconut Curry
Spicy Avocado
Red Pepper

Original
Kale Pesto
Jalapeno

Jalapeno Cilantro
Buffalo Bleu
Black Garlic

4. Roots

Roots hummus flavors aren’t only vegan. They’re also non-GMO, gluten-free, and contain no preservatives. They’re also never pasteurized. You can choose between:

Original
Oil-Free Original
Roasted Garlic
Roasted Red Bell Pepper

Hot Chipotle
Spinach
Thai Coconut Curry

Mango Sriracha
Black Bean
Lima Bean

5. Athenos

All Athenos hummus flavors are vegan and include:

Original
Greek Style
Black Olive

Roasted Garlic
Roasted Red Pepper

Spicy Three Pepper
Artichoke & Garlic

Quick Homemade Hummus Recipe

Vegan hummus is quick and easy to make. If you want to eat well, enjoy life, you’ll need a couple of ingredients and a food processor.

Now, there are many different hummus recipes, but this is one of my favorites. To make hummus at home, you’ll need:

1 can of chickpeas
3 tablespoons of tahini
A couple of garlic cloves (go wild, you measure that with your heart)
Lemon juice (squeeze one small lemon)
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp sea salt
Olive (or any other oil you like), a couple of chickpea beans, and paprika for decoration

Instructions:

Put the chickpeas and about a half of the aquafaba (chickpea water) from the can into a food processor. Add everything else to the processor and blend until smooth. You could also add pine nuts, red peppers, or any other ingredient and spice you like and make your blend.

Spread it on a nice plate, garnish with some oil and chickpea beans, and serve with warm pita bread or cut-up vegetables. Serve it as a dip, spread, main course, or appetizer.

What to Eat with Hummus

You can eat hummus with anything you like. Spread it on some whole grain bread, dip pita chips, (vegan) pretzels or veggies in it, put it in a salad, tortilla, or a wrap. You make the rules, you set the limits.

FAQs

Is shop-bought hummus vegan?

Yes, there are many vegan shop-bought hummus flavors. Just make sure you read the label carefully and avoid controversial ingredients.

What hummus brands are vegan?

Sabra, Lantana, Hope Foods, Roots, and Athenos are just some of the many vegan brands you can find in stores and online.

Also Read: Vegan Sriracha Brands & Homemade Recipe

Is Hummus Vegan? The Final Verdict

Hummus is vegan. You can munch on it guilt-free, but only if you make your hummus at home.

If you decide to buy it, be careful about the ingredients. Feel free to share your favorite hummus recipe in the comments or recommend your favorite brand and flavor!

FREE DOWNLOAD 9 Super High-Protein Vegan Recipes

References:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthiest-beans-legumes
https://www.longdom.org/open-access/chickpeas-and-hummus-are-associated-with-better-nutrient-intake-diet-quality-and-levels-of-some-cardiovascular-risk-factors-national-health-and-nutrition-examination-survey-2155-9600.1000254.pdf

About the author

Jason Hughes

"Hey there, I'm Jason, and you've just landed on the most exhilarating spot on the web - my VL universe! Here's the deal: I'm wildly obsessed (in the best way possible!) with all things diet, strength training, fitness, health, and wellness. It's not just a passion; it's a lifestyle!

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