If you love the creamy texture of hummus but want something different from traditional chickpea-based dip, this Green No-Bean Hummus is an easy recipe to try. It gets its bright color and fresh flavor from green peas, shelled edamame, avocado, lemon juice, garlic and herbs instead of chickpeas.
Traditional hummus is generally made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic and olive oil. This version takes inspiration from that familiar creamy dip while creating its own fresh, vegetable-forward flavor.
The result is smooth, slightly nutty, lemony and pleasantly savory. It works beautifully with cucumber slices, carrots, bell peppers, crackers and pita bread. You can also spread it on toast, add it to wraps or use it as a creamy layer in a grain bowl.
Recipes using edamame, peas and avocado are also a proven combination for creating a naturally green, creamy hummus-style spread.
Why You’ll Love This Green Dip
There are several reasons this recipe is worth keeping in your regular snack rotation.
- No chickpeas or beans: Perfect when you want a break from traditional hummus.
- Quick to make: Most of the work happens in a blender or food processor.
- Bright and fresh: Lemon, basil and garlic keep the flavor lively.
- Naturally green: Peas, edamame and avocado give it an appealing color.
- Easy to customize: Adjust the lemon, garlic, herbs and seasoning to your taste.
- Versatile: Serve it as a dip, sandwich spread, toast topping or appetizer.
- Great for entertaining: Its bright green color makes a simple snack platter look more interesting.
What Is No-Bean Hummus?
Despite the name, no-bean hummus is not traditional hummus. Traditional hummus is a chickpea-based Middle Eastern dip.
The term “no-bean hummus” is commonly used for creamy dips that mimic the texture and serving style of hummus but replace chickpeas with other ingredients.
For this green version, frozen green peas, shelled edamame and avocado create the creamy base. Tahini adds a subtle sesame flavor, while lemon juice and garlic provide the familiar savory brightness associated with hummus.
Think of it as a green hummus-style dip rather than a traditional hummus recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Green No-Bean Hummus
- 1 cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed
- 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
- 1 medium ripe avocado
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2–4 tablespoons cold water, as needed
- ½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Optional Toppings
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Fresh basil
- Sesame seeds
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Lemon zest
- A pinch of cumin
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Fresh lemon and a small amount of cold water are especially useful for creating a smooth, spoonable consistency. Water is also commonly used to loosen traditional hummus when it becomes too thick.
How to Make Green No-Bean Hummus
1. Thaw the Green Ingredients
If you’re using frozen peas and edamame, thaw them completely before blending. You can place them in the refrigerator for several hours or use a quick room-temperature thaw.
For an especially bright green color, briefly rinse the thawed vegetables under cold water and drain well.
Avoid adding them while they are still covered with excess water because too much moisture can make the finished dip watery.
2. Add the Ingredients to a Food Processor
Add the edamame, green peas, avocado, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, basil, cumin, salt, black pepper and lemon zest to a food processor.
A high-speed blender can also work, although you may need to stop and scrape the sides more often.
3. Blend Until Creamy
Process the mixture until it begins to turn smooth.
Stop the machine and scrape down the sides. Then blend again.
If the mixture looks too thick, add cold water one tablespoon at a time until you reach the consistency you want.
Don’t add too much water at once. It is easier to thin the dip gradually than to correct a watery hummus.
4. Taste and Adjust
Taste the hummus-style dip before serving.
For more brightness, add another squeeze of lemon juice.
For more richness, add a small drizzle of olive oil.
If you want a stronger savory flavor, add a little more salt or garlic.
If you prefer a more herbal flavor, add another few basil leaves.
5. Serve
Spoon the green dip into a shallow serving bowl.
Use the back of a spoon to make a small swirl across the surface. Add a drizzle of olive oil and finish with fresh basil, lemon zest or sesame seeds.
Serve immediately with your favorite vegetables, pita or crackers.
How to Get Extra-Smooth Green Hummus
The texture can make a big difference in a hummus-style dip.
For the smoothest result, make sure the edamame and peas are fully thawed and blend the mixture long enough for the ingredients to break down completely.
If your food processor struggles with the mixture, add cold water gradually.
Another useful trick is to stop the processor several times and scrape the sides. This helps prevent larger pieces of avocado, peas or edamame from remaining around the edges.
Traditional hummus recipes also rely on water to adjust the texture, so gradually adding liquid is a practical technique for this bean-free version as well.
What Does Green No-Bean Hummus Taste Like?
This dip has a fresher flavor than classic chickpea hummus.
The peas add mild sweetness and a soft vegetable flavor. Edamame brings a subtle nutty taste and helps create a thick texture. Avocado contributes creaminess without overpowering the other ingredients.
Tahini gives the dip a slightly toasted sesame character, while lemon juice cuts through the richness. Garlic adds savory depth, and basil gives the finished dip a fresh, summery note.
The flavor is mild enough for children and easy to make more intense for adults with chili flakes, extra garlic or cumin.
Best Ways to Serve Green No-Bean Hummus
This recipe is much more versatile than a simple appetizer dip.
With Fresh Vegetables
Serve it with:
- Carrot sticks
- Cucumber rounds
- Bell pepper strips
- Celery
- Radishes
- Sugar snap peas
With Pita and Crackers
Warm pita bread makes an excellent pairing. Whole-grain crackers or toasted flatbread also work well.
On Toast
Spread the green hummus over toasted sourdough or whole-grain bread. Add sliced tomatoes, radishes or a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
In Wraps
Use it as a creamy spread inside a vegetable wrap. Add lettuce, cucumber, roasted peppers and your favorite protein.
In Grain Bowls
Add a spoonful to a bowl with quinoa, brown rice, roasted vegetables and leafy greens. The hummus-style dip can act as both a sauce and a creamy topping.
On a Party Platter
Arrange the green dip in the center of a platter surrounded by colorful vegetables, pita wedges and crackers. The bright green color creates an attractive contrast.
Easy Recipe Variations
Lemon-Herb Green Hummus
Add extra lemon zest and a mixture of parsley, cilantro and basil for a brighter herbal flavor.
Spicy Green Hummus
Add ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or a small amount of fresh jalapeño before blending.
Garlic Green Hummus
Use two small garlic cloves instead of one if you enjoy a stronger garlic flavor.
Avocado-Forward Version
For a richer, creamier dip, increase the avocado slightly and reduce the peas by the same amount.
Mediterranean-Style Green Dip
Top the finished dip with olive oil, chopped parsley, toasted sesame seeds and a light sprinkle of cumin.
How to Store It
Transfer leftover green no-bean hummus to an airtight container and refrigerate it promptly.
Because this recipe contains fresh avocado and herbs, the color and flavor are best when enjoyed fresh. For the best quality, make a small batch and consume it within a few days.
Pressing a piece of food-safe plastic wrap directly against the surface before closing the container can help limit air exposure and slow discoloration.
Always use clean utensils when serving leftovers.
Can You Make Green No-Bean Hummus Ahead?
Yes. You can prepare it ahead of time for lunch, snacks or entertaining.
If making it for a party, prepare it earlier the same day and keep it refrigerated until serving. Give it a quick stir before transferring it to the serving bowl.
The dip may become slightly thicker while chilled. If needed, stir in a small amount of cold water to bring the texture back to a creamy consistency.
Green No-Bean Hummus Recipe Card
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: About 2 cups
Category: Appetizer, Snack, Dip
Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Diet: Vegetarian; vegan when using suitable tahini and toppings
Ingredients
1 cup thawed shelled edamame, 1 cup thawed green peas, 1 ripe avocado, 2 tablespoons tahini, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 small garlic clove, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh basil, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2–4 tablespoons cold water and ½ teaspoon lemon zest.
Directions
- Thaw and drain the peas and edamame.
- Add all ingredients except the water to a food processor.
- Blend until creamy.
- Add cold water one tablespoon at a time until smooth and spoonable.
- Taste and adjust lemon, garlic, salt or cumin.
- Transfer to a bowl and garnish with olive oil, basil and lemon zest.
- Serve with vegetables, pita, crackers or toast.
Tips for the Best Green No-Bean Hummus
Use fresh lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, but fresh lemon gives the dip a cleaner flavor.
Don’t overdo the garlic. Raw garlic becomes stronger as it sits. Start with one small clove and add more if necessary.
Add water slowly. A few tablespoons can completely change the consistency.
Use ripe avocado. An underripe avocado will not blend as smoothly and may leave a slightly firm texture.
Taste before serving. Peas and edamame can vary in sweetness, so the final amount of lemon and salt may need adjustment.
Serve it cold or slightly cool. Chilling helps the flavors come together while keeping the dip refreshing.
Why This Recipe Is Different
Classic hummus has a long-established combination of chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic and olive oil. This recipe takes the familiar idea of a creamy dip and gives it a completely different green profile.
The combination of peas, edamame and avocado creates a thick, smooth base without chickpeas. A similar ingredient combination has been used in modern avocado-edamame hummus recipes, showing how well these ingredients work together in a creamy green spread.
For home cooks, that means you can have something that looks like hummus, serves like hummus and has the creamy texture you expect from a dip—while offering a fresh alternative to the classic recipe.
Final Thoughts
Green No-Bean Hummus is an easy way to put a fresh spin on the familiar dip. Peas, edamame and avocado create the vibrant green base, while lemon, garlic, tahini and basil add layers of flavor.
It takes about 10 minutes to prepare, requires no cooking and can be served in countless ways. Keep it simple with sliced cucumbers and carrots, spread it on toast, add it to wraps or make it the centerpiece of an appetizer platter.
If you’re looking for a quick green hummus recipe without chickpeas, this creamy pea, edamame and avocado version is a colorful option that’s easy enough for a weekday snack and attractive enough for guests.
