Quick Answer: Our top pick for hummus on a charcuterie board is Cedar's Classic Original Hummus (4.6 out of 5). Splurge: Little Sesame Classic Hummus. We ranked 7 widely sold options on how they work on a board, published taste tests and awards, ingredients, value and how easy they are to find.
Hummus turns a board into a mezze spread, and it's the easiest dip for vegetarian and vegan guests. The tests disagree more on hummus than on almost anything: one outlet's favorite is another's bottom pick. So these rankings lean on three published taste tests together, then ingredients, price and how easy each tub is to find.
How we ranked these: these are researched picks, not a side-by-side tasting. We scored each product on published taste tests and awards, its ingredient list, price and where you can buy it, plus how that style of product behaves on a board. Sources are listed at the end, and the full method is on our buying guides hub. Prices and stock last checked October 2026.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best overall: Cedar's Classic Original Hummus ($) | ★★★★½ 4.6 |
| Best splurge: Little Sesame Classic Hummus ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.2 |
The full ranking
| Product | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cedar's Classic Original Hummus ($) | ★★★★½ 4.6 | Every board |
| 2. Tribe Classic Hummus ($) | ★★★★½ 4.5 | Smooth, balanced dip |
| 3. Boar's Head Traditional Hummus ($) | ★★★★½ 4.3 | Chickpea-forward flavor |
| 4. Little Sesame Classic Hummus ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | Lemon lovers |
| 5. Cava Traditional Hummus ($) | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | Mezze boards |
| 6. Holy Hummus Traditional Classic ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | Tahini lovers |
| 7. Sabra Classic Hummus ($) | ★★★★☆ 3.9 | The safe, everywhere option |
1. Cedar's Classic Original Hummus
★★★★½ 4.6 out of 5 · Best overall · Best for: Every board · $ budget
The most consistent performer. Tasting Table ranked it 2nd of 13 for a rich, creamy, earthy flavor, and Today put it 4th of 10 as silky smooth with almost no aftertaste.
- Why we like it: Ranked high in two tests, with a clean ingredient list and a low price.
- Keep in mind: [Tasting Table]({TT}) wanted more lemon. Add a squeeze yourself.
- Where to buy: Most grocery stores.
2. Tribe Classic Hummus
★★★★½ 4.5 out of 5 · Best for: Smooth, balanced dip · $ budget
Tasting Table's top hummus, with subtle citrus and salt that complement the chickpeas and tahini. Today was less impressed, ranking it 7th of 10 as bland.
- Why we like it: Top of the most recent big test, and easy to find.
- Keep in mind: Opinions split, so taste it before a big party.
- Where to buy: Nearly every grocery store.
3. Boar's Head Traditional Hummus
★★★★½ 4.3 out of 5 · Best for: Chickpea-forward flavor · $ budget
Ranked 3rd in two tests: Tasting Table called it smooth and well balanced, and Today liked that it puts the chickpeas first.
- Why we like it: Consistently near the top.
- Keep in mind: [Tasting Table]({TT}) found it a little salty.
- Where to buy: Deli counters and grocery stores that carry Boar's Head.
4. Little Sesame Classic Hummus
★★★★☆ 4.2 out of 5 · Best splurge · Best for: Lemon lovers · $$ mid-range
Sporked gave it 9.5 out of 10 as the best lemony hummus, very creamy with a preserved-lemon note. Tasting Table placed it 6th of 13 as smooth but basic.
- Why we like it: Bright and creamy, with a short ingredient list.
- Keep in mind: Pricier and harder to find.
- Where to buy: Amazon and some grocery stores.
5. Cava Traditional Hummus
★★★★☆ 4.2 out of 5 · Best for: Mezze boards · $ budget
Sporked gave it 9 out of 10 as the best traditional hummus: creamy and balanced, with tahini, lemon and a hint of garlic. Tasting Table disagreed, ranking it 10th of 13 as thick and bland.
- Why we like it: Restaurant-style flavor at grocery prices.
- Keep in mind: The tests are split on it.
- Where to buy: Whole Foods and many grocery stores.
6. Holy Hummus Traditional Classic
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best for: Tahini lovers · $$ mid-range
Sporked's best of the best with 10 out of 10: creamy and smooth, with a strong tahini flavor.
- Why we like it: The top score in Sporked's test.
- Keep in mind: Hard to find outside some regions. Check Instacart.
- Where to buy: Instacart and select grocery stores.
7. Sabra Classic Hummus
★★★★☆ 3.9 out of 5 · Best for: The safe, everywhere option · $ budget
Loved by some and panned by others. Today ranked it 1st of 10 as thick and dense, but Sporked gave it 5 out of 10 and Tasting Table ranked it 12th of 13 as dry and bland, noting citric acid in place of lemon juice.
- Why we like it: The easiest hummus to find, in every size.
- Keep in mind: Thick and mild. Loosen it with olive oil and lemon.
- Where to buy: Every grocery store.
How the scores break down
Each product is scored 1 to 5 on five things, then weighted: how it works on a board (30%), published taste tests and awards (25%), ingredients (15%), value (15%) and how easy it is to find (15%).
| Product | On the board | Reviews and awards | Ingredients | Value | Easy to find | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar's Classic Original Hummus | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.6 |
| Tribe Classic Hummus | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4.5 |
| Boar's Head Traditional Hummus | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.3 |
| Little Sesame Classic Hummus | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4.2 |
| Cava Traditional Hummus | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.2 |
| Holy Hummus Traditional Classic | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4.0 |
| Sabra Classic Hummus | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3.9 |
What to look for on the label
Label check: Chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and salt, near the top of the list. Hummus made with real lemon juice tastes brighter than one made with citric acid.
Skip: Dessert hummus and heavily flavored tubs on a savory board. Classic or roasted red pepper is the safe choice.
Serving it: scoop it into a shallow bowl, swirl the top with the back of a spoon, then add olive oil, paprika or za'atar. Serve it with pita chips, cucumbers and carrots, and keep it near the feta and olives. Mezze board idea: see the Mezze Board Plan for a full hummus-centered board with a shopping list.
For what hummus pairs with and how to serve it, see the hummus guide. To see every ranked guide, visit our charcuterie buying guides.
Hummus questions
What is the best store-bought hummus?
Cedar's Classic Original placed near the top of two taste tests. Tribe won Tasting Table's 13-brand test, and Holy Hummus scored 10 out of 10 at Sporked.
Is Sabra good hummus?
It depends who you ask. Today ranked Sabra Classic 1st, but Sporked and Tasting Table ranked it near the bottom.
How do you make store-bought hummus taste better?
Stir in a squeeze of lemon and a spoon of olive oil, then top it with paprika, za'atar or chopped parsley.
How long can hummus sit out on a board?
No more than 2 hours, like other perishable food.
Sources
- Tasting Table: Store-Bought Hummus, Ranked Worst To Best
- Sporked: The Best Hummus at the Grocery Store
- Today: I tried 10 store-bought hummus brands
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