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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of beets work best for homemade beet hummus?
Fresh roasted beets produce the richest flavor and deepest color. Roast them whole at 400°F for 45–60 minutes, let them cool, then peel and blend. Pre-roasted vacuum-sealed beets are a convenient shortcut that adds a few dollars per batch but saves significant prep time. Canned beets work in a pinch but tend to produce a slightly more watery, milder result.
How many cups of beet hummus does a typical home batch make?
A standard recipe using one 15 oz can of chickpeas and two to three medium roasted beets typically yields 3.5–5 cups of hummus, depending on how much lemon juice or water you add while blending. The vibrant beet puree adds volume compared to a plain hummus batch, so you often get slightly more finished product.
Does beet hummus cost more to make than plain hummus?
Yes, modestly. The only added cost is the beets themselves, which typically add $0.50–$1.50 per batch depending on whether you use fresh, vacuum-sealed, or frozen beets. All other ingredients — chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic, and olive oil — are the same as plain hummus. The per-cup cost increase is usually $0.15–$0.40 compared to your plain hummus baseline.
How long does homemade beet hummus keep in the fridge?
Homemade beet hummus stays fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5–7 days. The vibrant color may deepen slightly over time as the beet pigment oxidizes. You can also freeze it in individual portions for up to 3 months — thaw overnight in the fridge and stir well before serving.
Is the savings comparison the same if I buy organic beets and chickpeas?
Organic ingredients cost more, which narrows the savings gap somewhat. However, organic store-bought beet hummus is also priced significantly higher — often $6.99–$9.99 per container — so homemade still tends to be 50–70% cheaper per cup even when using organic beets, organic chickpeas, and high-quality tahini.