Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern dip made from chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and spices. It has a smooth, creamy texture and works well with an array of vegetables, pita chips, and other dippers. But is hummus also a good addition to a charcuterie board? Let’s take a closer look.
What is hummus?
Hummus is a spread or dip made primarily from chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. The main ingredients in hummus are:
- Chickpeas
- Tahini (sesame seed paste)
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Salt
The chickpeas are cooked until very soft and then blended with the tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. This creates the smooth, creamy texture hummus is known for. Spices like cumin, paprika, cayenne, and parsley are often added to create different hummus flavors.
What is a charcuterie board?
A charcuterie board is a platter of cured meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, jams, pickles, and other accompaniments. Typical charcuterie board ingredients include:
- Cured meats like salami, prosciutto, chorizo
- Cheeses like cheddar, brie, gouda
- Fruits like grapes, figs, apples
- Nuts like almonds, walnuts, pistachios
- Olives
- Pickled vegetables
- Breads and crackers
- Jams, honey, and spreads
The various meats, cheeses, fruits, and other items are arranged aesthetically on a wooden board or platter. Charcuterie boards make great appetizers for gatherings and parties.
Does hummus work on a charcuterie board?
Hummus can absolutely work well on a charcuterie board. Here are some reasons why:
- Provides texture and creaminess: The smooth, creamy hummus provides a nice contrast to the harder cheeses and meats.
- Acts as a palate cleanser: Hummus can serve as a nourishing palate cleanser in between bites of charcuterie.
- Pairs well flavor-wise: The earthiness of hummus complements cured meats and aged cheeses.
- Broadens the flavor profile: Hummus adds more dimension and depth of flavor to the board.
- Easy to spread and dip: Hummus can be spread onto breads and crackers or used for dipping vegetables and pretzels.
- Vegetarian-friendly: For charcuterie boards that need vegetarian options, hummus is a great choice.
- Brings color: Hummus comes in tan, green, red, or black, bringing more visual appeal.
So hummus certainly makes sense on a charcuterie platter. Its creaminess and flavor pair nicely with the other savory elements. Hummus also provides a plant-based option for more veggie-friendly charcuterie boards.
What hummus flavors work best?
When it comes to hummus for charcuterie boards, you’ll want to choose hummus varieties that will complement (rather than compete with) the other ingredients. Here are some of the best hummus flavors for charcuterie:
- Classic hummus – The simple flavors of chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and lemon suit a wide variety of charcuterie ingredients.
- Roasted red pepper hummus – The sweetness and smokiness pair beautifully with cured meats and aged cheeses.
- Pesto or olive hummus – Herbaceous green and briny black hummus varieties align with charcuterie items.
- Harissa hummus – The mild heat complements the saltiness of the charcuterie components.
- Beet hummus – The earthy sweetness stands up to bold meats and cheeses.
On the other hand, you’ll want to avoid hummus with overly strong flavors like curry, jalapeño, or chipotle. The hummus should complement the charcuterie rather than dominate it.
What foods pair well with hummus?
Hummus pairs excellently with many common charcuterie ingredients. Some top hummus pairings include:
| Food | Why They Work Well Together |
|---|---|
| Pita chips or pita bread | The quintessential hummus dipper that provides crunch and starch. |
| Olives | The brininess of olives contrasts nicely with hummus’ creaminess. |
| Prosciutto | The saltiness of dry-cured ham complements the earthiness of hummus. |
| Manchego cheese | The nuttiness of Manchego pairs perfectly with the tahini in hummus. |
| Fresh vegetables | Crunchy veggies like carrots and cucumbers work well for dipping in hummus. |
| Dried fruit | The sweetness of dried fruits balances the creaminess of hummus. |
Experiment with hummus alongside different charcuterie meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables to find new flavor combinations.
How should you style hummus on a board?
When adding hummus to a charcuterie board, keep these tips in mind:
- Place in a shallow bowl or plate rather than spreading – Allow people to dip as they desire.
- Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, dash of paprika, or sprinkle of chopped parsley to make it look appealing.
- Pair the hummus area with dippers like pitas and veggies rather than mixing throughout the entire board.
- Choose a hummus variety that complements the color palette and ingredients of your board.
- Include a spreader like a spoon or small knife near the hummus so people can easily spread some onto crackers and breads if desired.
With the right styling, hummus can look just at home on a beautiful charcuterie board as any gourmet cheese or cured meat.
What other dips work on charcuterie boards?
In addition to hummus, some other delicious dip options for charcuterie include:
- Baba ganoush – Smoky eggplant dip.
- Feta dip – Whipped feta, olive oil, herbs.
- Yogurt dips – Mint yogurt, beet yogurt, etc.
- Muhammara – Walnut and red pepper dip.
- Tapenades – Olive, artichoke, sun-dried tomato.
- Labneh – Thick strained yogurt cheese.
- Ranch dip – Cool and creamy with herbs.
- Guacamole – Creamy avocado dip.
These plant-based dips all pair excellently with charcuterie just like hummus does. Feel free to mix and match multiple dips on one board for lots of flavor and textural variety.
Should you make homemade or store-bought hummus?
You can use either homemade or store-bought hummus on a charcuterie platter. Here is a comparison:
| Homemade Hummus | Store-bought Hummus | |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | Can tailor to your taste preferences | Mass-produced flavor may be less nuanced |
| Texture | Freshly blended for silky smoothness | Sits on shelves longer so can be less creamy |
| Cost | Inexpensive to make at home | More expensive to purchase |
| Convenience | Requires time to cook and blend chickpeas | Ready to serve out of the package |
| Storage | Stays fresh 3-4 days in fridge | Long shelf life of weeks or months |
If you have time, homemade hummus is ideal for flavor and texture. But store-bought works just fine if you need a quicker charcuterie board solution.
Tips for picking store-bought hummus
If using pre-made hummus for your board, inspect it closely and look for:
- A smooth, creamy consistency without graininess or water separation
- An ingredients list focused on whole foods like chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, etc.
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Little to no oil pooling on top, which indicates freshness
- A best by date that is at least several weeks away
- Quality brands often sold refrigerated rather than shelf-stable
Avoid hummus that is gritty, watery, moldy, bitter, or otherwise unappetizing. With the growing popularity of hummus, most major grocery stores carry high-quality optionsperfect for charcuterie boards.
How much hummus should you include?
When adding hummus to a charcuterie board, a good rule of thumb is to serve 2-4 ounces of hummus per person. For a smaller charcuterie layout for 2-4 people, you may need only 8-12 ounces of hummus total. For a larger crowd or spread, plan for around 16-32 ounces.
Remember you can always replenish the hummus if needed. It’s better to put out a conservative amount at first rather than having large quantities sitting out for long periods.
Should hummus be served cold or at room temperature?
Traditionally, hummus is served at room temperature which allows its flavors to shine. However, chilled hummus can also be refreshing on a charcuterie board. Here are some serving temperature guidelines:
- Room temperature – Best shows off hummus’ inherent flavors and creamy texture. Let refrigerated hummus sit out for 30-60 minutes to take the chill off.
- Chilled – Provides a cool, refreshing contrast to cured meats and cheeses. Keep hummus refrigerated until serving.
- Warm – Heating mellows flavors and thins consistency. Don’t serve hummus warm/hot on charcuterie.
Consider the other items you’re serving and whether you want the hummus to stand out or complement. Adjust the temperature accordingly to achieve the desired effect.
What are good hummus substitutes?
In lieu of hummus, some alternatives to consider for charcuterie boards include:
- Baba ganoush – Eggplant dip with smoky flavor.
- White bean dip – Puréed cannellini or great northern beans.
- Edamame dip – Made from blended shelled edamame.
- Roasted red pepper dip – Sweet and smoky marinated red peppers.
- Fava bean dip – Earthy dip made from fava beans.
- Beet dip – Vibrant purple spread made from roasted beets.
These veggie-based dips all pair well with charcuterie just like hummus. Consider any dietary restrictions when choosing a hummus alternative.
Conclusion
With its protein and healthy fats, hummus makes for a nutritious and delicious addition to any charcuterie board. The creaminess and bold flavor of hummus complements cured meats, aged cheeses, fresh fruits, olives, nuts, and other charcuterie components. Chickpea-based hummus provides a vegetarian-friendly option while adding more interest and color to the platter. While homemade hummus is ideal, you can use high quality store-bought in a pinch. Place hummus in a shallow bowl alongside dippers like pita and vegetables. Let guests spread it onto crackers and breads to balance the richer charcuterie items. So don’t hesitate to plop some hummus on your next charcuterie spread.