8 Ways to Use Tahini (2024)

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June 2012 Read More FAQs

Eight ideas for making the most of your sesame seed paste that aren't just "make some hummus."

By

Lee Zalben

8 Ways to Use Tahini (1)

Lee Zalben, a.k.a. “The Peanut Butter Guy,” is the founder and CEO of Peanut Butter & Co. Author of The Peanut Butter & Co. Cookbook.

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Updated March 31, 2024

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8 Ways to Use Tahini (2)

I recently shared a novel use for peanut butter, as a replacement for tahini in hummus. Some commenters said they were relieved that they wouldn't need to keep stale old tahini around in the cupboard anymore. But one tahini-loving reader suggested that the real problem is that everyone needs a few more ideas for how to use tahini.

Most people know tahini, a sesame seed paste with a consistency similar to peanut butter, as an ingredient in hummus and baba ghanoush and... not much else. But tahini is full of potential. It has a delicate roasted sesame flavor without the sweetness that is common to many nut and seed butters. There are plenty of ways to use tahini—so don't let yours go to waste. Here are eight simple ideas for making the most out of the next can of tahini you purchase.

1. Dip raw veggies in it. For a simple snack, reach for tahini instead of ranch dressing next time you're looking for a dip for crudités. Add lemon juice, salt, and a dash of pepper or hot sauce for extra flavor.

2. Spread it on toast. On whole wheat bread, perhaps with a little honey or agave syrup, tahini can be part of a balanced breakfast.

3. Drizzle it on falafel. For a no-stress summer meal, warm up store-bought frozen falafel and stuff it in a pita. Thin out your tahini by adding a few tablespoons of hot water and lemon juice and then drizzle it over the sandwich.

4. Use it to make Tarator sauce. Tarator is a little-known but much-loved multipurpose sauce that's particularly tasty for dipping grilled chicken or steamed vegetables. Add 4 cloves minced garlic to 1/2 cup tahini, 1/2 cup lemon juice, and 1/4 cup parsley. Pulse in a food processor until combined.

5. Dress your salad with it. Give your balsamic dressing a break and try a tahini-based salad dressing instead. For an easy recipe, combine 1/2 cup tahini and 1/2 cup olive oil with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, and 2 teaspoons of grated ginger in a blender. Drizzle over your greens and enjoy.

6. Make a double sesame burger. Why should the bun get all the sesame love? Tahini is super as a mild condiment on meats. Use it straight or enhance it with a little lemon juice and smoked paprika and spread it on your burger. Some feta and cucumbers would complete the Mediterranean theme.

7. Stir it into soup. Like peanut butter, tahini works well as a flavor booster and thickener in soups.

8. Have main course baba ganoush. Roast a baby eggplant in the oven, until soft. Combine 2 tablespoons tahini with a clove of minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Cut a slit in the eggplant and spread tahini inside for a kind of deconstructed baba ganoush.

June 2012

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8 Ways to Use Tahini (2024)

FAQs

What can tahini be used for? ›

Tahini is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various recipes. Some common uses of tahini include making dips and hummus, adding a nutty flavor to desserts, using it in vegetarian dinner recipes, or as a base for salad dressings.

What can I do with a jar of tahini? ›

Tahini isn't just for hummus. Here are 10 recipes to use up that jar.
  1. Cold Sesame Noodles With Shredded Chicken, above. ...
  2. Chocolate Chunk Tahini Blondies. ...
  3. Salad With Crispy Spiced Chickpeas and Tahini Dressing. ...
  4. Chewy Cranberry, Millet and Pistachio Bars. ...
  5. Tahini-Dressed Zucchini and Green Bean Salad.
Aug 12, 2019

Can you eat tahini straight from the jar? ›

Besides eating it straight out of the jar, spreading it on a sandwich or mixing it with chickpeas, garlic and lemon juice to make hummus, there's a laundry list of ways to use tahini.

Does tahini need to be refrigerated? ›

Do you need to refrigerate tahini? We recommend storing your tahini in a cool and dry area, away from heat and moisture. Ideally, a pantry a cabinet would be ideal. Like peanut butter, you can also store tahini in the refrigerator if you like it thicker.

Can too much tahini be bad for you? ›

- It has a high fat and calorie content, so consume in moderation. - The lectin content in tahini may cause leaky gut by restricting the proper absorption of nutrients. - Consuming it excessively can cause abnormal endocrine function and increased blood viscosity.

What does tahini do for your gut? ›

What makes tahini beneficial? Just like other seeds and nuts, sesame seeds within the sauce help lower cholesterol, provide dietary fiber for digestion, improve blood pressure, balance hormones and more.

Can I eat tahini by itself? ›

Raw tahini is also an option. To make it, omit the first step of the recipe. However, some research indicates that toasting sesame seeds increases their nutritional benefits ( 45 ). ingredient in hummus, but it can also be used by itself as a dip or spread.

Can you freeze leftover tahini? ›

Yes, you can freeze the tahini sauce. Just place it in a freezer-safe container, and it's good for up to 3 months!

Does tahini keep you full? ›

Polyunsaturated fats help keep you full throughout the day; they also help keep your brain functioning properly, aid in reducing bad cholesterol, and work to decrease the risk of serious heart disease. Tahini's power goes far beyond improving your health from within; its benefits are more than skin-deep!

Can I eat tahini directly? ›

Tahini is super as a mild condiment on meats. Use it straight or enhance it with a little lemon juice and smoked paprika and spread it on your burger. Some feta and cucumbers would complete the Mediterranean theme.

Is tahini anti-inflammatory? ›

Tahini also has selenium. It acts as an antioxidant and helps lower inflammation in the body. Studies show sesamol, a natural chemical found in sesame seeds and sesame oil, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging benefits.

How can you tell if tahini has gone bad? ›

The taste will be sour, kind of metallic, and just plain weird. Utilizing a trusty sniff test is another way of finding out if it's time for your tahini to take a one-way trip to the bin. But something that's important to remember is that ground sesame seeds do naturally have a slightly earthy, bitter aftertaste.

Is tahini better for you than peanut butter? ›

They're both healthy, dietitians say. Tahini is lower in carbohydrates and sugars than peanut butter is making it a better choice for people who follow low-carb diets, Politi notes. Both foods are predominantly fat, though peanut butter has a little more protein, Young adds.

What does rancid tahini taste like? ›

Although its shelf life can vary depending on factors related to how it is made, such as roasting, it will generally stay good for months, if not years. Like other nut and seed pastes, expired tahini has a musty, stale smell and tastes noticeably bitter and funky.

What do you use tahini for? ›

Favorite Ideas and Recipes with Tahini
  1. Drizzle tahini sauce over a grain bowl. ...
  2. Use tahini in dips. ...
  3. Make a tahini salad dressing. ...
  4. Use tahini in a marinade. ...
  5. Sub tahini for nut butters. ...
  6. Add flavor to Asian noodle dishes. ...
  7. Use tahini as a vegan or paleo dairy substitute.
Jan 11, 2022

Is tahini healthier than peanut butter? ›

They're both healthy, dietitians say. Tahini is lower in carbohydrates and sugars than peanut butter is making it a better choice for people who follow low-carb diets, Politi notes. Both foods are predominantly fat, though peanut butter has a little more protein, Young adds.

Can you eat tahini as a spread? ›

A lesser known use for tahini is as a healthy spread for toast. It makes a great alternative to peanut butter or avocado toast, and is perfect for people with nut allergies.

Is it worth making tahini? ›

Making tahini at home is easy and cheaper than buying it from the store. I also think it tastes better! For the best deals, look for sesame seeds in bulk bins or at International, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets. While you can make tahini from unhulled, sprouted, or hulled sesame seeds, we prefer hulled seeds.

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