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Create your own tahini at home effortlessly using just sesame seeds and olive oil! This Middle Eastern staple has a texture similar to nut butter and is essential in various sauces, savory dishes, and even desserts.
Crafting your own sauces is not only quick but also incredibly satisfying! Homemade ingredients are perfect for those moments when you can’t find what you need at the store. Be sure to check out our favorite recipes for cheese sauce, Alfredo sauce, or yum yum sauce!
What Is Tahini?
Tahini is a traditional condiment that hails from the Middle East, made from toasted ground hulled sesame seeds. With its earthy flavor profile and creamy texture, tahini enhances many dishes while adding a mild nuttiness. It’s widely used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines for dips and sauces like hummus or baba ganoush.
Ingredients Needed For Homemade Tahini
Making tahini at home requires just two simple ingredients—chances are you already have one of them on hand! If you’re struggling to find bulk sesame seeds locally, they’re readily available online. Check the recipe card below for precise measurements.
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Sesame Seeds: Opt for hulled sesame seeds in this recipe! Toasting them first helps eliminate any bitterness.
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Olive Oil: This ingredient contributes to the creamy consistency of tahini; adjust it according to your desired thickness.
Simple Tahini Recipe
Homemade tahini can save you money compared to store-bought versions—and it’s often fresher too! Once you’ve tried making it yourself, you’ll never want to buy it again!
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Toast the Sesame Seeds: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, spread out the sesame seeds evenly in a single layer. Toast until they turn light golden brown while stirring frequently—be careful not to let them burn; this may require several batches.
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Blend the Sesame Seeds: Allow the toasted seeds to cool slightly before transferring them into a food processor or high-powered blender. Blend for 2-3 minutes until they become crumbly.
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Incorporate Olive Oil: Add olive oil into the mixture and blend again for 2-3 minutes until achieving a smooth paste consistency; add more oil if you’d like it thinner.
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Store Your Tahini: Keep your homemade tahini in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will stay fresh!
Tips For Using Tahini
Enhance your cooking with this nutrient-rich ingredient that serves as an excellent substitute for nut butters or oils—perfectly allergy-friendly!
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Allergy-Friendly Option: Ideal if you’re looking for nut-free alternatives since it’s dairy-free and gluten-free as well!
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Nut Butter Alternative: Use tahini instead of any nut butter in recipes.
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Baking Benefits: Thanks to its high-fat content, adding tahini makes baked goods moist while enhancing flavors—try incorporating it into cakes or cookies!
Storage Recommendations
Store any leftover tahini in a glass jar or sealable container within your fridge where it’ll last up to three months.
Recipes To Enjoy With Tahini
Tahini’s versatility shines through when drizzled over various dishes—it adapts beautifully with different flavors! You can enhance its taste by mixing in salt, lemon juice, or herbs as desired:
- Chicken Shawarma (1 hr 22 mins)
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To prepare: 1) Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; toast sesame seeds evenly until light golden brown while stirring frequently. 2) Once cooled slightly transfer toasted seeds into food processor/blender; blend until crumbly (about 2–3 minutes). 3) Add olive oil & continue blending till smooth (another 2–3 minutes). Adjust thickness by adding more oil if needed. 4) Store finished product properly & enjoy across various recipes!
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 0.25 cup Calories per serving: 509 kcal Carbohydrates: 18 g Protein: 13 g Fat Total: 46 g
Note that nutritional values are approximations.
About Alyssa Rivers: Alyssa Rivers is an accomplished author of ‘The Tried-and-True Cookbook’, professional food photographer, and seasoned recipe developer whose work has been featured on platforms such as Good Morning America and Buzzfeed.
Explore More Ideas: Try making homemade bone broth next time—you won’t regret it!