White Bean Hummus with Pickled Beetroot and Kale Recipe
Introduction
This white bean hummus with pickled beetroot and kale is a vibrant twist on a classic dip. Creamy beans blend perfectly with tangy beetroot and tender kale for a flavorful, healthy dish that’s great as a snack or appetizer.

Ingredients
- 600g cooked beetroot, cut into small cubes
- 200ml olive oil, plus 2 tbsp and extra for drizzling
- 100ml red wine vinegar
- 2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 lemon, zest peeled into strips, juiced
- 2 x 400g cans butterbeans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 140g natural yogurt
- 3 garlic cloves, 2 crushed, 1 sliced
- 150g shredded kale
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine the beetroot, 100ml olive oil, red wine vinegar, chopped shallots, bay leaves, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and refrigerate overnight to pickle.
- Step 2: Add the drained beans to a food processor along with the lemon juice, natural yogurt, crushed garlic, 100ml olive oil, and seasoning. Blend until smooth, adding a little water if needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Fry the sliced garlic for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, then add the shredded kale and a splash of water. Stir and cook for 8–10 minutes until the kale is dark green and tender, adding more water as needed to wilt it.
- Step 4: Drain the pickled beetroot mixture and stir it into the cooked kale just until warmed through. Remove from heat.
- Step 5: Spoon the smooth white bean hummus into a large serving bowl. Top with the warm beetroot and kale mixture, drizzle with extra olive oil, and serve at room temperature.
Tips & Variations
- Use cannellini beans for a creamier texture, or try chickpeas for a different flavor profile.
- For extra zing, add a pinch of smoked paprika or cumin to the bean hummus.
- Swap natural yogurt for a dairy-free alternative to keep this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Serve with warm pita bread, crisp vegetables, or as a spread on sandwiches.
Storage
Store the hummus covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The beetroot and kale mixture can be kept separately for up to 2 days. Reheat the kale mixture gently in a pan before combining with the hummus again, then serve at room temperature for best flavor.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh beetroot instead of cooked?
Fresh beetroot needs to be cooked and cooled before use. Roasting or boiling works well to soften the beetroot for pickling and blending.
Is this recipe suitable for a vegan diet?
You can make it vegan by replacing the natural yogurt with a plant-based alternative and ensuring your olive oil is pure. The rest of the ingredients are plant-based.
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White Bean Hummus with Pickled Beetroot and Kale Recipe
- Total Time: Over 12 hours (including chilling)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This vibrant white bean hummus recipe combines creamy butterbeans with tangy pickled beetroot and sautéed kale, resulting in a nutritious and flavorful dip perfect for serving at room temperature as a snack or appetizer. The sweet, earthy beetroot is pickled overnight to infuse it with red wine vinegar and aromatic shallots, while kale is gently fried with garlic to add a tender, savory element to the dish.
Ingredients
Pickled Beetroot
- 600g cooked beetroot, cut into small cubes
- 100ml red wine vinegar
- 100ml olive oil
- 2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- Zest of 1 lemon, peeled into strips
- Salt and pepper, to taste
White Bean Hummus
- 2 x 400g cans butterbeans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 140g natural yogurt
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 100ml olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sautéed Kale
- 150g shredded kale
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, sliced
- Water, splash as needed
Instructions
- Pickle the Beetroot: In a bowl, combine the cubed cooked beetroot with 100ml olive oil, red wine vinegar, finely chopped shallots, bay leaves, and lemon zest strips. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, cover, and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the beetroot to pickle.
- Prepare the White Bean Hummus: Place the drained butterbeans into a food processor along with the lemon juice, natural yogurt, crushed garlic cloves, 100ml olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Blitz the ingredients until smooth and creamy. If the consistency is too thick, add a splash of water to loosen the hummus to your desired texture.
- Sauté the Kale and Garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and fry gently for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add the shredded kale and a splash of water to the pan. Stir and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the kale becomes dark green and the stalks are tender. Add additional water if needed to help wilt the kale evenly.
- Combine Beetroot with Kale: Drain the pickled beetroot mixture to remove excess liquid and stir it into the sautéed kale in the pan. Warm through gently for a couple of minutes, then remove the pan from the heat.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the creamy white bean hummus into a large serving bowl. Spoon the warm beetroot and kale mixture evenly over the hummus. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil on top. Serve the hummus at room temperature alongside fresh bread or vegetable sticks.
Notes
- Pickling the beetroot overnight enhances its flavor and develops a pleasant tanginess, so plan ahead when making this recipe.
- If you prefer a vegan version, substitute the natural yogurt with a plant-based yogurt alternative.
- The sautéed kale can be substituted with other leafy greens such as spinach or Swiss chard if desired.
- For a smoother hummus texture, you can peel the skins from the butterbeans before processing.
- This dish is perfect for serving as a healthy appetizer, snack, or light lunch with crusty bread or raw vegetable crudités.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus overnight chilling for beetroot)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dip
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: white bean hummus, pickled beetroot, kale, hummus dip, healthy appetizer, butterbeans, vegetarian dip

