Hibiscus-Cauliflower Hummus

Support a healthy gut with our chickpea-free hummus flavored with hibiscus.

Hummus is a versatile Middle Eastern spread that makes for a great dip, snack, or appetizer. Traditional recipes usually include chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans), tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic—all whole food–based ingredients that sound on the surface like the foundation for a healthy diet.

Unfortunately, the amount of antinutrients found in chickpeas and other legumes exclude them from Paleo eating. They contain lectins, saponins, and tannins, which can contribute to intestinal damage known as “leaky gut.” The presence of phytate also prevents total absorption of important minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium; and protease inhibitors similarly block the breakdown and absorption of protein.

But hummus is not all bad news. By simply replacing the chickpeas with a Paleo-friendly food, you can still enjoy this healthy spread for your charcuterie board or crudité. We kept the traditional flavors of tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic but used cauliflower for the base of our Paleo hummus. Cauliflower is full of digestion-supporting fiber, contains vitamin C for immune health, and is full of antioxidants that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

As if those benefits weren’t enough, we added hibiscus flowers to our Cauliflower Hummus for a burst of color and added nutrients. Hibiscus tea has shown promise in managing blood pressure and improving other cardiovascular disease markers in human studies.^1,2 Additionally, a 2024 observational study found significant improvement in strength, balance, and vertical jump after subjects drank hibiscus tea for 30 days.³

Don’t be afraid to get creative with this Hibiscus-Cauliflower Hummus. Add it to lettuce burgers, breakfast wraps, salads, and power bowls to sneak in extra veggies and flavor. Or spread it over cooked slices of sweet potato for grain-free toast. The easiest way to serve it is with sliced vegetables like carrots, celery, jicama, and bell peppers. Alternatively, Paleo-friendly chips or crackers can also provide a satisfying crunch:

TIPS:

To make this Cauliflower Hummus more vibrant, add a splash of beet juice or use purple cauliflower.
Try lavender instead of hibiscus for a purple-tinted floral dip.

Love our recipes? Make going Paleo even easier and download our 7-Day, 14-Day, and 28-Day digital meal plans!

References

Ellis, L. R., Zulfiqar, S., Holmes, M., Marshall, L., Dye, L., & Boesch, C. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa on blood pressure and cardiometabolic markers. Nutrition Reviews, 80(6), nuab104. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuab104
Jalalyazdi, M., Ramezani, J., Izadi-Moud, A., Madani-Sani, F., Shahlaei, S., & Ghiasi, S. S. (2019). Effect of hibiscus sabdariffa on blood pressure in patients with stage 1 hypertension. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, 10(3), 107–111. https://doi.org/10.4103/japtr.JAPTR_402_18
Lubis, L., Dewi, G. T., Supriyan, A. N. D., Aprinaldi, A., Purba, A., & Diantini, A. (2024). Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) calyces tea improves physical fitness of healthy adults. Biomedical Reports, 20(3), 49. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1737

Hibiscus-Cauliflower Hummus

Recipe by: Andrea Dehnke
Serves: 6
Meal: Anytime

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

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Ingredients

1 head cauliflower
1 garlic bulb
¹⁄₂ cup olive oil + more for roasting, divided
¹⁄₂ cup dried hibiscus flowers (or loose hibiscus tea)
1 cup hot water
¹⁄₄ cup tahini
2 Tbsp. lemon juice

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Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut cauliflower into florets and toss with olive oil on a baking sheet.
Cut the tip off the whole garlic bulb and peel away the outer skin. Drizzle with olive oil and wrap in foil. Place on pan with cauliflower.
Roast for 20-25 minutes. Remove cauliflower and keep packet of garlic in oven for another 10-20 minutes, until softened.
While cauliflower and garlic roast, steep hibiscus in hot water.
Let cauliflower cool slightly before adding to a food processor with tahini, ½ cup olive oil, and lemon juice. Squeeze roasted garlic cloves from their skins into the food processor. Strain liquid from hibiscus flowers and set aside to enjoy later as tea, adding steeped flowers to the food processor.
Process all ingredients until hummus is smooth.
Scoop hummus into a bowl and garnish with dried hibiscus flowers and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with veggie sticks or Paleo-friendly chips.