Black Bean Hummus with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Basil

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Hearty and creamy, this is the BEST Black Bean Hummus recipe made with sun-dried tomatoes and tahini. This twist on traditional hummus is healthy, wholesome, and full of flavor. A dip that goes great with crackers, pita, chips, and fresh veggies.

This quick and easy black bean hummus dip recipe is a favorite of mine for parties and BBQs. You’re friends and family will love it and it will add a nice variety to the table.

A serving bowl of creamy hummus garnished with sun-dried tomatoes and basil with gluten-free crackers.

Jump to:

What is Hummus?
Why you’ll love this Black Bean Hummus
Ingredients
Instructions
What to serve with hummus
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
More gluten-free snack recipes:
Black Bean Hummus with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Basil

What is Hummus?

Hummus is a blended dip that is traditionally made with cooked chickpeas, tahini, and olive oil. It is a creamy Mediterranean recipe that’s most popular for its texture and versatility.

That’s where this black bean hummus recipe with sun-dried tomatoes came from. Following the same idea as hummus, this recipe uses black beans, tahini, and other ingredients to make it unique and full of yummy flavor.

A bowl of creamy black bean hummus decorated with pieces of sun-dried tomatoes and basil leaves.

Why use black beans instead of chickpeas?

Nothing against chickpeas, but using black beans is such a tasty change-up from traditional hummus. Black beans are mild in taste and absorb the flavor of the other ingredients. The texture is very velvety and creamy.

Is black bean hummus good for you?

Black beans are a great source of fiber, rich in antioxidants, and full of protein making this hummus dip a healthy choice.

The other ingredients also have their health benefits, such as healthy fats from the olive oil, and vitamin-rich sun-dried tomatoes, and they offer anti-inflammatory properties that assist in reducing the risk of heart disease, lowering blood sugar, and managing cholesterol.

This hummus is also gluten-free and diabetic-friendly!

What does tahini do for hummus?

Tahini adds a depth of flavor to hummus and adds to the creaminess of the recipe. Plus, if you like healthy ingredients, tahini is packed full of vitamins and minerals.

A hand scooping a big bite of creamy hummus onto a gluten-free cracker.

Is making hummus cheaper than buying it?

Absolutely! But only if you plan to make it more than once. The upfront cost of making hummus is more than just buying a container off the shelf.

To make it worth the cost, make hummus part of your meal plan. One jar of tahini will make multiple batches of hummus. The same for the olive oil and sun-dried tomatoes. This is where hummus becomes more cost-efficient to make homemade is when you’re able to utilize your ingredients more than once.

Why you’ll love this Black Bean Hummus

While the classic Mediterranean hummus that’s made with chickpeas is delicious, this change-up with black beans and sun-dried tomatoes has amazing flavor and is so simple to make!

Easy and Quick - Grab your ingredients from the pantry and have this black bean dip ready in about 5 minutes.
Texture - After blending the ingredients you’ll have a beautifully smooth, creamy hummus that’s perfectly scoopable.
Sun-dried tomatoes - Talk about flavor! The black beans offer a creamy consistency, the sun-dried tomatoes bring that punch flavor and pair well with the fresh basil.
Versatile - Of course, this recipe is great as a dip, but try it on a wrap or sandwich! It’s an easy way to add a healthy ingredient to your lunch and it adds that creamy, flavorful texture. It is also an excellent substitute for cheese on a traditional deli sandwich to make it dairy-free.

Ingredients

Open up the pantry and you’re likely to find all the ingredients you need to make this easy black bean hummus recipe.

Black beans - for a quick recipe, use canned black beans. Or, cook dry black beans according to the package, allow them to cool, and follow the recipe.
Tahini - this is a sesame seed paste and adds to the creaminess of hummus. Look for it near the nut butter or international foods.
Sun-dried tomatoes - use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes.
Basil - fresh is always best and adds an earthy, fresh taste to this dip. Add more to your preference. While I haven’t tried dried basil you could try and substitute dried basil in a pinch. Note that dried herbs tend to be stronger, so start small and add until your desired taste.
Olive oil - the best way to a velvety and creamy hummus is olive oil. It adds just the right amount of moisture to keep it from being grainy.
Lemon - just enough to add a bright pop of flavor.

Instructions

We love recipes that are quick and easy like this homemade black bean hummus recipe!

Add ingredients to the food processor and blend. Scrape down the sides to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.

Overhead view of a food processor with black beans, sun-dried tomatoes, tahini, olive oil, and fresh basil leaves.

Blend until smooth and creamy. Serve!

What to serve with hummus

Fresh vegetables - sliced cucumber, snap peas, carrots, bell pepper strips, cauliflower florets, celery sticks
Gluten-free tortilla chips
Gluten-free crackers or pita

With this recipe, my favorite snack pairings are cucumber slices and gluten-free crackers.

More ways to eat hummus

Spread black bean hummus thickly on a veggie-loaded vegan sandwich, add it as a topping to roasted veggies and potatoes, or simply grab a big ol' spoonful and enjoy!

Hummus also makes an excellent substitute for cheese in many kinds of sandwiches and on a charcuterie board! Think turkey and hummus, hummus and vegetables... mix and match to find your favorite fresh combinations.

Two stacked veggie and hummus sandwiches ready-to-go!

Substitutions

There are options if you’d like to substitute ingredients in this black bean hummus recipe with tahini.

Make it Plant-based - No substitutions are needed - this black bean hummus dip is already a Vegan-friendly recipe.
Make it Gluten-free - While hummus is naturally gluten-free, check the ingredients list carefully to make sure there are no gluten ingredients added. Beans in particular can be subject to cross-contact in the facility and should be considered carefully. I used Bush's Black Beans and they were labeled 'gluten-free'.
Use different beans - Try using cannellini beans or another soft, mild bean in place of black beans.

Variations

Use the recipe to build on and create new, tasty hummus recipes.

Spicy - Make this a spicy black bean hummus recipe by adding the chipotle paste. It’s going to be screaming with flavor!
Lemon and Garlic - For a big kick in citrus flavor, try this black bean hummus with lemon and garlic.
Mexican - Black beans are great with Mexican cuisine and switching up a few ingredients makes a great Mexican-style black bean hummus spread.
- 1 can black beans, ¼ cup tahini, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tsp of each cumin, chili powder, garlic, and onion powder, a pinch of cayenne, lime juice, and fresh chopped cilantro. Top with pico de gallo and serve as a dip or spread on your burritos.

Creamy black bean hummus with a side of sliced cucumber and gluten-free crackers.

Equipment

Food processor

Can I use a blender instead of a food processor to make black bean hummus?

Yes, black beans are soft and easy to blend in a blender, unlike chickpeas which are more difficult to get smooth and require a food processor for the best, creamy and smooth texture.

Storage

Store in an air-tight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze this black bean hummus dip?

Yes! Simply place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Stir before serving.

More gluten-free snack recipes: