What Is the Cleanest Brand of Hummus? A Guide to Healthier Choices

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

With the clean eating movement gaining momentum, many consumers are scrutinizing labels more than ever, especially for popular snacks like hummus. This raises a key question for health-conscious shoppers: what is the cleanest brand of hummus?

Quick Summary

This article explores the criteria for determining the 'cleanest' hummus brands, focusing on ingredients, processing, and sourcing. It reviews top contenders like Hope Foods and Ithaca Cold-Crafted while offering a comparison of popular brands to help you choose the healthiest option for your diet.

Key Points

Check the Ingredients: The cleanest hummus has a short, simple list of recognizable ingredients like chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and extra-virgin olive oil.
Avoid Preservatives: Look for brands that use natural methods like High-Pressure Processing (HPP) instead of chemical preservatives like potassium sorbate.
Prioritize Quality Oil: The healthiest options use extra-virgin olive oil instead of cheaper, more processed oils like soybean or canola.
Consider Certifications: USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified labels can indicate cleaner sourcing and fewer pesticides.
Read Labels Thoroughly: A quick glance at the nutrition label and ingredient list is the best way to determine a brand's cleanliness and find the best fit for your needs.
Homemade is Best: For ultimate control and freshness, making hummus at home with high-quality, whole ingredients is always the cleanest option.

Defining 'Clean' Hummus: What to Look For

Before diving into specific brands, it's essential to understand the criteria that define a truly 'clean' hummus. A clean product typically uses minimal, recognizable, and high-quality ingredients with less processing and fewer additives. When shopping for hummus, look for these key indicators:

Ingredient Quality and Simplicity

Simple Ingredient List: The most traditional and cleanest hummus has a very short ingredient list: chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and a high-quality oil like extra-virgin olive oil. Avoid products with long lists of chemical-sounding ingredients.
High-Quality Oil: Many commercial brands use cheap seed oils like soybean or canola oil, which can be inflammatory. The cleanest brands opt for extra-virgin olive oil or organic sunflower oil.
No Unnecessary Preservatives: Look out for preservatives like potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate, which extend shelf life but are not part of a traditional recipe. Some brands use natural preservatives or advanced processing methods instead.
Organic and Non-GMO: Brands that use USDA-certified organic or Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients provide assurance that the raw materials are grown without certain pesticides or genetic modifications.

Processing and Additives

High-Pressure Processing (HPP): Instead of high-heat pasteurization, some brands use HPP. This method uses intense pressure to kill pathogens while preserving the hummus's fresh flavor and nutrients. Ithaca Cold-Crafted and Hope Foods are known to use this method.
Minimal Thickeners: Manufacturers sometimes add starches, guar gum, or other thickeners to compensate for a lower chickpea content or to improve texture. While guar gum can be benign, its presence often signals that the hummus is less reliant on whole-food ingredients.

Leading the Pack: The Cleanest Hummus Brands

Several brands stand out for their commitment to clean ingredients and superior processing. Here's a closer look at some of the top contenders:

Hope Foods

Hope Foods is consistently praised for its organic ingredients and use of HPP. The brand features a straightforward, whole-food ingredient list and uses extra-virgin olive oil, a rarity in store-bought options. While some flavors may be higher in sodium, their commitment to fresh-tasting, additive-free products is clear.

Ithaca Cold-Crafted

Often described as having a taste closest to homemade, Ithaca Hummus is a favorite among food professionals. The brand is known for its fresh, non-GMO ingredients, vibrant flavors, and use of HPP. Its classic variety is celebrated for a simple ingredient list, though it does use sunflower oil in its base.

Little Sesame

Starting as a restaurant, Little Sesame has transitioned to packaging a high-quality hummus for store shelves. It is known for its exceptionally creamy texture and use of clean ingredients, including a mix of sunflower and olive oils. Like Ithaca, it employs HPP to extend shelf life without compromising freshness, and it keeps sodium levels reasonable.

Abraham's Hummos

For those seeking a low-calorie, low-sodium option with a very clean label, Abraham's Hummos is a top choice. This brand uses no added oil, relying instead on chickpeas, tahini, and apple cider vinegar for a thicker consistency and natural preservation. This unique approach results in a very different, chunkier texture that appeals to some and may be less desirable for those who prefer the traditional smooth blend.

Hummus Brand Comparison

Here is a quick comparison of popular brands based on 'clean' criteria:


Feature	Hope Foods (Original)	Ithaca (Classic)	Cedar's (Organic)	Sabra (Classic)	Abraham's (Traditional)
Oil Type	Extra-Virgin Olive Oil	Sunflower Oil	Extra-Virgin Olive Oil	Soybean/Sunflower Oil	None (Oil-Free)
Processing	HPP	HPP	Pasteurized	Pasteurized	Natural Preservation
Preservatives	None	None	Citric Acid, Guar Gum	Potassium Sorbate	Apple Cider Vinegar
Certifications	USDA Organic	Non-GMO	USDA Organic	Kosher	Kosher
Ingredients	Whole Foods	Simple, Fresh	Traditional	Additives Present	Oil-Free
Sodium Level	Higher	Higher	Standard	Standard	Lower

The Healthiest Option: DIY Hummus

While several store-bought brands offer clean ingredients, nothing is cleaner than homemade. By making your own hummus, you have complete control over every ingredient. You can use organic chickpeas, high-quality cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil, and fresh lemon juice without any of the additives or processed ingredients found in some commercial products. This is a great way to ensure the freshest and most nutrient-dense dip possible. A simple recipe includes blending cooked chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and a touch of salt until smooth. You can even add some of the leftover chickpea cooking water (aquafaba) for a fluffier texture.

How to Choose the Right Hummus for You

When faced with a dizzying array of options, consider your personal priorities. If minimizing processed oils is your top concern, brands like Hope Foods or Abraham's are excellent choices. If you want a fresh, simple-tasting hummus without chemical preservatives, look for those using HPP, like Ithaca or Little Sesame. For those on a tight budget or wanting an organic option, brands like Cedar's Organic or Trader Joe's Organic can be a good middle ground. The best approach is to always check the ingredient list first and weigh factors like organic status, oil quality, and the presence of preservatives against your own nutritional goals. Taking a few extra moments to read the label is the most powerful tool for finding the cleanest and healthiest option for your diet.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

Determining the cleanest brand of hummus depends on your individual health priorities, from seeking out organic ingredients to avoiding artificial preservatives or processed seed oils. While Hope Foods and Ithaca are top contenders for fresh, high-quality, and minimally processed hummus, other brands like Cedar's Organic and Abraham's offer unique advantages for specific dietary needs. Ultimately, the cleanest option is the one that best aligns with your commitment to wholesome, simple ingredients. For maximum control, however, making your own remains the purest path to clean, nutritious hummus.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the healthiest option, look for hummus made with extra-virgin olive oil. Many commercial brands use cheaper and less healthy seed oils like canola or soybean oil, so always check the ingredient list.

Not necessarily. While an organic certification ensures the ingredients are grown without certain pesticides, you still need to check for other factors like preservatives, type of oil, and overall ingredient simplicity. Some conventional brands might use cleaner ingredients and processing than organic ones.

HPP is a method that uses high pressure instead of heat to preserve food. This process kills pathogens without cooking the product, which helps to maintain a fresher flavor and more nutrients compared to traditional pasteurization.

It's best to be mindful of unnecessary preservatives. Some brands use potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate to extend shelf life, while cleaner options avoid these or use natural alternatives like apple cider vinegar. If you want to avoid additives, look for brands that use HPP.

For those monitoring sodium, Boar's Head Traditional Hummus is noted as a low-sodium option. Abraham's Hummos is also known for being low in sodium due to its minimalist, oil-free recipe. Always check the nutrition label, as sodium content can vary between flavors.

Yes, making hummus at home gives you complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to use fresh, organic, and high-quality components. You can avoid all additives, adjust the sodium and oil content, and guarantee maximum freshness.

Besides preservatives, watch out for added sugars, artificial flavors, and thickeners like guar gum and modified food starch. These ingredients can signal a lower-quality product with a less authentic, whole-food base.