We Tried 14 Types of Hummus and This Was Our Favorite

There are plenty of delectable dips out there, but few have the potential to bring together a diverse set of eaters like hummus. In addition to being delicious, it's free of meat and dairy, can be served with gluten-free dipping options such as veggies or rice crackers, contains a bit of plant-based protein, and is generally free of sugars. Plus, it's incredibly easy to make, especially if you used canned chickpeas to speed up the process. But while the recipe is simple, it does still require a processor of some sort (and the will to clean the processor afterward).

Luckily, plenty of food companies have stepped up to the dip craze, making it easy to bypass homemade hummus in favor of pre-bought. But which hummus brand most deserves to be your go-to for an effortless, delicious chickpea-filled snack? To find out, we tested 14 traditional varieties of hummus, all of which are available online or in stores. So grab your favorite pita chips and follow along as we go through our rankings from best to worst.

Best Hummus at a Glance

Best Overall: Ithaca Fresh Lemon Garlic Hummus
Runner-Up: Sabra Classic Hummus, Cedar's Organic Original Hommus
Best Topped Hummus: Private Selection Traditional Hummus, Private Selection Mediterranean Hummus
Best Naked Hummus: Lilly's Classic Hummus
Best Organic Hummus: Boar's Head Simplicity Organic Hummus
Best Garlicky Hummus: Hope Foods Original Hummus
Best Citrusy Hummus: CAVA Traditional Hummus
Best Spicy Hummus: Fresh Nature Jalapeño Hummus
Best Low-Sodium Hummus: Boar's Head Traditional Hummus
Best Budget Hummus: Whole Foods Original Hummus

What We Looked For When Ranking Hummus:

Taste: As always, taste is our primary consideration in these tests. While sampling hummus, we looked for plain varieties that had a good balance of citrus and garlic. We also took note of any brands that had heavier notes of citrus or spice, for those who might prefer their hummus a bit on the stronger side. Lastly, we kept our eyes out for any unusual (or unusually delicious) flavors included in a brand's base variety.

Price: Hummus is just made of chickpeas, ground sesame seeds, olive oil, and a few seasonings; it's not exactly expensive to make. We tried to keep our eyes out for brands that offered reasonably priced pre-made hummus and made note of the few selling their hummus at a markup.

Texture: While trying out hummus brands, we also kept in mind which varieties had the smoothest consistency, which included toppings, and which were served plain. We made notes of these textures in hopes of helping consumers find the hummus best suited to their tastes.

Additional Features: Lastly, we kept an eye on sodium, sugar, and protein content when considering our hummus contenders. All of the brands we tested had at least two grams of protein and a gram or less of sugar. Most had less than 150 milligrams of sodium per serving; one contained only 100 milligrams per serving.

How We Tested Each Hummus

As the main hummus lover in my house, I had the incomparable privilege of conducting this test solo. First, I tasted each hummus by itself to get a better idea of its flavor. Since I was also testing pita chip varieties at the same time, I then used at least two different brands of pita chips to get an idea of how it would taste as an appetizer. Each of the hummus varieties was chilled before they were sampled.