How much does a tablespoon of hummus weigh?
A tablespoon of plain hummus weighs 15 g in the USDA reference entry. Two tablespoons are about 30 g. For calories, use the label on your tub or the ingredients in your recipe, because hummus formulas vary.
Grams in a tablespoon of hummus
USDA FoodData Central entry 2707402, “Hummus, plain”, lists one tablespoon as 15 g. Without a scale, multiply the number of level tablespoons by 15 for a starting estimate.
| Hummus | Estimated weight |
|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 15 g |
| 2 tablespoons | 30 g |
| 3 tablespoons | 45 g |
| 100 g | about 6–7 reference tablespoons |
These figures are conversions from one reference measure. A heaped spoonful, a different spoon, or hummus with a different texture will have another weight. The hummus measures card gives the same quick conversion.
Why spoon count does not fix the calorie count
The same USDA entry gives 243 kcal per 100 g. At that value, 15 g provides about 36 kcal and 30 g about 73 kcal. That calculation describes this database entry; it is not a single value for every hummus.
Our prepared hummus calorie card uses a different reference value, 165 kcal per 100 g. Chickpea, tahini, oil, and water proportions differ across recipes and products. Use the nutrition label of the hummus you bought when you have one.
How to log the portion you ate
If you eat from a tub, weigh it before and after. The difference is the amount taken out; subtract any hummus left on the plate. If you serve a plate, zero the scale with the plate in place and add the hummus.
Without a scale, count level tablespoons and start with 15 g each. For example, two tablespoons are about 30 g. Multiply that weight by the kcal per 100 g on your label, then divide by 100. If a label says 200 kcal per 100 g, an estimated 30 g portion works out to 60 kcal; 200 is an example for the arithmetic, not a general hummus value.
Homemade hummus and foods served with it
For homemade hummus, weigh the chickpeas, tahini, oil, and other ingredients, total their energy, and divide by the final batch weight. Then apply that per-gram figure to the portion eaten. The full method is in our guide to counting a homemade dish.
Bread, pita, vegetables, and oil poured on top are not part of the hummus entry. Log them separately if you want to count the whole plate. Our portion-size guide covers estimates without a scale.
Frequently asked questions
- How many grams of hummus are in a tablespoon?
- USDA FoodData Central entry 2707402 lists 15 g for one tablespoon of plain hummus. A heaped spoon or a different texture can change the actual weight.
- How much do two tablespoons of hummus weigh?
- At the USDA reference measure, two tablespoons weigh about 30 g. Weigh your own serving for a more precise figure.
- How many calories are in a tablespoon of hummus?
- At the USDA entry’s 243 kcal per 100 g, a 15 g tablespoon has about 36 kcal. Another recipe or brand can differ, so use its nutrition label.
- How should I count hummus with bread?
- Log the hummus by weight or estimated spoonfuls, then log the bread separately. Count any oil added on top separately too.
Read next
- How to determine portion size without a scale — Portion weight is the most inaccurate variable in any calculation, including analysis by photo.
- How to count calories in homemade food — Processed foods are counted by the label, and restaurant meals by a reference guide.
- Why the tracker shows a deficit but weight remains the same — The app has shown a deficit for four weeks, but the scale hasn't moved.
This article is for general information. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prescription for treatment or a diet, and it does not replace a consultation with your doctor. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, take medication, or follow a diet prescribed to you, decisions about food belong with your doctor.
Figures from regulations, guidelines and studies are given as they stood when this article was prepared and may since have changed; check them against the primary sources. This article is not advertising, an offer, or individual advice, and neither the author nor the site owner is responsible for decisions taken on the basis of it.