Is Homemade Beet Hummus Actually Cheaper Than Store-Bought?
Beet hummus has become one of the more popular premium dip options at grocery stores, prized for its vivid magenta color and earthy sweetness. But those qualities also come with a price premium. Store-bought beet hummus typically costs $4.99–$7.99 for a 10–12 oz container — noticeably more than conventional hummus. Making your own at home with fresh or pre-roasted beets, canned or dried chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic, and olive oil can cut that cost significantly, though the exact savings depend on where you source each ingredient.
The Beet Factor: Fresh vs. Pre-Roasted vs. Packaged
Fresh beets are the most economical option. A bunch of three to four medium beets typically costs $1.50–$3.00 and yields enough roasted beet for one to two large batches of hummus. Pre-roasted and vacuum-sealed beets (like the Love Beets brand) cost $3.00–$5.00 for about 8 oz, which is convenient but raises your per-batch ingredient cost. Frozen beets, when available, split the difference on price and prep time.
What Store-Bought Beet Hummus Actually Costs Per Cup
A 10 oz store-bought beet hummus container (about 1.25 cups) priced at $5.49 works out to roughly $4.40 per cup. Premium or organic beet hummus brands can run $6.99–$8.99 per container, pushing the per-cup cost toward $5.50–$7.00. By contrast, a well-optimized homemade batch using fresh beets and dried chickpeas often costs $0.75–$1.50 per cup — a savings of 65–80% versus mid-range store brands.
Beyond Cost: The Case for Homemade Beet Hummus
Homemade beet hummus offers more than savings. You control the beet-to-chickpea ratio, the salt level, and the creaminess. You can add cumin, smoked paprika, or fresh herbs. No citric acid or guar gum required. And the color of freshly blended beet hummus is visually striking in a way that store versions rarely match.