Make this easy tahini right at home with just sesame seeds and olive oil. This Middle Eastern condiment resembles the same texture as nut butter and is a staple ingredient used in sauces, savory dishes, and even desserts!
Making your own sauces is the best way to go, they’re fast, delicious, and oh-so-good! Homemade ingredients and sauces are also a great option for those times when the grocery store doesn’t have what you need. Try our favorite cheese sauce, Alfredo sauce, or yum yum sauce!
What is Tahini?
Tahini originated in the Middle East and is a common condiment made from toasted ground hulled sesame seeds. This earthy-flavored paste is mild in taste and is so versatile in recipes because it can enhance the flavors. Tahini is smooth and creamy in texture and its oil content makes it perfect for baked goods and dressings.
Tahini is an ingredient popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. It has a mild nutty flavor and is commonly used to make dips and sauces like hummus, this tahini sauce recipe, and baba ganoush.
Ingredients Needed For Homemade Tahini
There are only two ingredients in this recipe for homemade tahini. You most likely already have the oil. That’s right, it only takes sesame seeds and olive oil to make tahini at home. If you have a hard time finding sesame seeds in bulk you can find them easily online. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
- Sesame Seeds: Use hulled sesame seeds in this recipe! Toasting them helps prevent the tahini from tasting too bitter.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil helps create the creamy texture of tahini because you can make it the exact consistency that you want.
Easy Tahini Recipe
Tahini can sometimes be an expensive ingredient so it’s very economical to make it at home! I love when I can make and use ingredients right at home especially when they can be hard to find. This tahini recipe is so easy to make at home that you won’t ever have to buy it again! And it’s way better than store-bought!
- Toast the Sesame Seeds: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sesame seeds and spread them out evenly in a single layer. Toast until they are a light golden brown. Stir throughout the toasting process and watch them closely so they don’t burn. You will need to toast them in several batches.
- Blend the Sesame Seeds: Slightly cool the toasted seeds then add them to a food processor or high-powered blender. Blend for 2-3 minutes or until the seeds are crumbly and dry.
- Add the Olive Oil: Add in the olive oil and blend for 2-3 minutes until it forms a smooth paste. Add more oil if needed or desired for a runnier texture.
- Store: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use in recipes!
Tahini Tips
Add more flavor and nutrients to your cooking and baking! Tahini is also a great substitute for other ingredients like nut butter and oil! This allergy-friendly ingredient is great for everyone!
- Allergy-Friendly: Perfect for keeping recipes nut-free and allergy-friendly. It’s also dairy-free and gluten-free! Sesame seeds are from the seed family making it nut-free.
- Nut Butter Substitute: Use as a great alternative to any nut butter.
- Perfect For Baking: Because of its high-fat content, tahini makes most baked goods more moist! It’s delicious in cakes, muffins, brownies, and all the sweet things. It also enhances and boosts flavors in recipes. For example, I love the subtle nutty flavor it adds to chocolate chip cookies!
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in the fridge in a glass jar or sealable container for up to 3 months! Use as needed for recipes.
Recipes To Enjoy With Tahini
Tahini is a versatile ingredient and is deliciously drizzled on so many recipes! It takes on the flavor of what you serve it with. You can also add a little, salt, lemon, or herbs to add flavor. Use tahini as a dip, sauce, or for dressings. It would be so yummy paired with the recipes below. I hope you give them a try!
Dinner
World’s Best Falafel Recipe
20 mins
Side Dishes
Perfect Naan Bread with Garlic Butter
1 hr 20 mins
Dinner
Buddha Bowl
30 mins
Dinner
Chicken Shawarma
1 hr 22 mins
Tahini
Ingredients
- 3 cups sesame seeds, hulled
- 1/4 cup olive oil, or more if needed
Instructions
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sesame seeds and spread them out evenly in a single layer.
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Toast until they are a light golden brown. Stir throughout the toasting process and watch them closely so they don’t burn. You will need to toast them in several batches.
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Once all the seeds are toasted and cooled, add them to a food processor or high-powered blender.
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Blend for 2-3 minutes or until the seeds are crumbly and dry.
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Add in the olive oil and blend for 2-3 minutes until it forms a smooth paste.
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Add more oil if needed or desired for a runnier texture.
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Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use in recipes!
