Chickpea Curry Paste (Printable)

Rich and creamy chickpea dip with aromatic curry spices, ideal for spreading, dipping, or as a versatile flavor base.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chickpea Base

01 - 1 can (15 oz / 400 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 2 tbsp tahini

→ Aromatics & Spices

03 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
05 - 1 tbsp curry powder
06 - ½ tsp ground cumin
07 - ¼ tsp ground turmeric
08 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

→ Creamy Ingredients

09 - 3 tbsp olive oil
10 - 2–4 tbsp cold water (as needed for texture)

→ Seasoning

11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Step-by-step Directions:

01 - Combine the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, curry powder, cumin, turmeric, cayenne (if using), olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a food processor or high-powered blender.
02 - Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired creamy consistency is reached.
03 - Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, lemon juice, or curry powder if desired.
04 - Transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil and a sprinkle of curry powder, if desired.
05 - Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes less than ten minutes and uses pantry ingredients you probably already have.
  • The curry spices give it a warmth and depth that makes plain hummus feel boring.
  • Its incredibly versatile: spread it, dip it, or use it as a base for grain bowls and wraps.
02 -
  • Add the water slowly, because it's easy to make the paste too thin and impossible to thicken it back up.
  • Taste before serving, because curry powders vary wildly in strength and you might need to adjust the spices.
03 -
  • Let the food processor run for a full minute longer than you think you need to, it makes the paste incredibly silky.
  • Use cold water instead of warm, it helps the paste stay thick and creamy instead of turning gluey.
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