Smooth Red Kidney Bean Hummus

Red Kidney Bean Hummus is a creamy, flavorful twist on classic hummus. It's made with tahini, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. It's smooth, vibrant, and perfect as a dip or spread.

I make this homemade red bean hummus on repeat because it's a great, healthy snack to have on hand, and it tastes so much better than store-bought. I love exploring flavor variations like Lemon Dill Hummus or Jalapeno Cilantro Hummus.

Kidney beans make such a great base for bean dip and I've made this one more times than I can count. I tested it with extra olive oil and found that a little goes a long way. Too much oil makes it heavy instead of creamy. 

I also tried making it in the blender. It turned out smooth, but I had to add a lot more liquid to get it moving. The food processor worked much better and gave me better control, especially since I blend the lemon, tahini and garlic first. One more trick that made a big difference? Boiling the beans for about 10 minutes before blending. That simple step gave me the smoothest red bean hummus every time. 

Jump to:

• Why We Love Kidney Bean Hummus
• Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
• How to Make Hummus with Kidney Beans
• Troubleshooting
• Top Tips
• Must Try Flavor Variations
• Ways to Serve Red Kidney Bean Hummus
• Storing and Make Ahead Tips
• Kidney Bean Hummus Common Questions
• More Dips You'll Love
• Smooth Red Kidney Bean Hummus

Why We Love Kidney Bean Hummus

• It's a quick snack that only takes 10 minutes to make.
• Budget friendly
• No chickpeas needed
• Make ahead friendly
• The red kidney bean dip is versatile. Get creative with flavor variations or switch up how you serve it for a fresh and delicious twist.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Red Kidney Beans - You can use either dark red or light red kidney beans. White kidney beans, also known as cannellini beans can be substituted for a white hue to the kidney bean dip.

Lemon - Fresh lemon juice is best! Lime juice can be substituted for a slight flavor variation.

Garlic - Fresh garlic is our go-to, but you can use minced garlic in a jar for a quick alternative. If you have the extra time, try roasting your garlic for a more subtle roasted flavor.

Tahini - Any unsweetened nut butter can be substituted.

Garnish - Try herbs like parsley or cilantro, save a couple of kidney beans to top the dip, add color with paprika or cayenne for added spice.

How to Make Hummus with Kidney Beans

Step 1: Rinse and drain the beans. Optional: Boil on the stove for 10 minutes to make the dip ultra creamy.

Step 2: Blend the garlic, tahini, and lemon first. This helps promote a smooth dip.

Step 3: Add beans, olive oil, water, cumin and salt. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 4: Garnish with sesame seeds, paprika, herbs, and more kidney beans if desired.

Troubleshooting

• Too thick: add 1 tablespoon cold water at a time until it reaches the desired texture
• Too tangy: add 1 tablespoon tahini to mellow it out
• Metallic taste: rinse the kidney beans thoroughly, add extra lemon, and blend longer
• Bitter: it's likely the tahini is old, replace with new tahini

Top Tips

• If you don't have a food processor or want a smoother texture, try blending the hummus using a high-speed blender. Add a little more water if needed.
• Canned kidney beans can have a metallic taste. Don't forget to drain and rinse the kidney beans.
• Try boiling the kidney beans in water for 10 minutes to soften and help create a smoother hummus texture.

Must Try Flavor Variations

Chipotle - Try adding a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, a pinch of smoked paprika, and one lime juiced for a smoky but spicy flavor.

Herb Packed - Throw in fresh parsley, cilantro, and basil for a refreshing blend of aromatics.

Curry - A little bit of yellow curry powder and cumin will take this red bean hummus to a whole new level.

Ways to Serve Red Kidney Bean Hummus

We have been loving this hummus with pita chips and garlic bagel chips. When we're done enjoying hummus the traditional way, I will add a dollop to my favorite Pesto Chicken Bowl for an added element of creaminess. It's also good with Turkish Flatbread which can be made in no time, plus it's way better than buying storebought. If you're a sandwich lover like we are you have to try it as a spread on a Bagel BLT.

Storing and Make Ahead Tips

Store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Smooth the tip and drizzle a thin layer of olive oil over it before sealing. This helps it from drying out. If the top darkens just stir it.

Prepare up to 1 day in advance then stir well before serving. If it thickens too much in the fridge add a splash of water or olive oil if needed to refresh the texture.

Freeze for up to 2 months. Leave a little room at the top for expansion.

Kidney Bean Hummus Common Questions

More Dips You'll Love

If you tried this Red Kidney Bean Hummus or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!