What is tahini? This traditional Mediterranean ingredient can be used in recipes ranging from hummus to cookies. It’s all about tahini here!
Tahini has become a trendy ingredient lately: but what is it? It has been used in Mediterranean dishes for centuries. Today it’s used in everything from traditional recipes like hummus to more creative uses like no-bake cookies! Read on to learn more about tahini and some recipe inspiration.
What is tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds. It is typically used in Middle Eastern or Mediterranean dishes. Because it’s made simply with sesame seeds and salt, tahini is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, paleo, keto, and Whole 30. It’s perfect for creamy dressings on salads and sandwiches, desserts like cookies and cakes, or as a peanut butter substitute for peanut allergies. It’s also a good substitute for dairy in vegan recipes.
Tahini has a slightly bitter taste straight from the jar; it’s not sweet like most nut butters or seed butters! So it is better to mix it with other flavors. It is often associated with lemon, which brings out a luminosity. It also works well in desserts when mixed with sweeteners.
What is tahini sauce?
One of our favorite tahini recipes is our Best Tahini Sauce. It’s a sauce that’s a mixture of tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, some maple syrup, and salt. It melts into a creamy sauce that’s perfect for all kinds of things: salads, sandwiches, even a dip for french fries. Some of our favorite uses for Tahini Sauce are our Chickpea Couscous Bowls and Raw Falafel Buddha Bowls.
Where can I find tahini?
You can find tahini at your local grocery store, often in the international aisle. It is also sometimes found near peanut butter and other nut butters. If you can’t find it in your grocery store, you can also buy it online! See below.
You understand: Organic Tahini, 16 oz Jar
ways to use it
There are so many different ways to use tahini, from traditional to off the beaten path! Here are some ways we like to use it:
- hummus is the most basic use: try our green hummus for a unique twist
- vinaigrette: Mix with lemon juice, olive oil and salt for a makeshift dressing
- Pancakes or Waffles: Mix it with maple syrup to make a breakfast drizzle: try our banana pancakes or our fluffy waffles
- Fruit: Do the same as above to make a fillet of sliced berries
- Chipotle Sauce: Mix it with Mexican hot sauce and spices for a flavorful drizzle on salads or chips
- Cookies: Because why not? Here’s a version of the no-bake cookies with this sesame paste
This incredible tahini sauce is a creamy and flavorful sauce that’s super versatile: use it on salads, hearty bowls, tacos, fries, veggie burgers and sandwiches. It adds a creamy, tangy acidity without the use of dairy.
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A list of tahini recipes wouldn’t be complete without hummus! The most popular way to use tahini is to make hummus; Sesame paste gives homemade hummus the essential creaminess and body.
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Want a quick and easy creamy dressing? Look no further than this easy tahini dressing recipe! It doesn’t require lemon juice or a blender: you can whip it up in just 2 minutes! It provides a huge taste explosion: A little tamari and grated ginger give it an irresistibly delicious and fresh taste. Use it to sprinkle on salads, rice bowls, vegetables: anything is possible!
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These no-bake vegan cookies use tahini instead of the typical peanut butter and are delicious. Dark cocoa powder is made from coconut oil and maple syrup and provides a dark chocolate flavor. A pinch of sea salt on top makes them salty-sweet.
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Couscous comes together in just 5 minutes, so it’s a quick base for this bowl meal. As an accessory, chickpeas with cumin, tomato and cucumber and a green bed. Brush with a creamy, flavorful tahini sauce, and in just 30 minutes it’s a vegan entree to die for.
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This tahini recipe is a time-tested favorite. Falafel are a popular Mediterranean chickpea pastry that is usually served in a pita: here the falafel are broken down into raw vegan balls of energy full of Mediterranean spices. Top with this Lemon Tahini Sauce and you’ve got a bowl full of nutrients and flavor.
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This Buddha bowl features velvety roasted sweet potatoes, addictingly roasted cauliflower, crispy fresh romaine, vibrant raw beets and fluffy black rice. To bring everything together: our Best Lemon Tahini Sauce, which gives the whole bowl a creamy and tangy note.
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This insanely good, flavorful corn on the cob is topped with the perfect recipe: a lemony tahini drizzle, spicy sriracha sauce, and cilantro.
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This shredded Brussels sprouts turns into a refreshing salad smothered in a tahini vinaigrette with ginger, orange, and miso. So many flavors!
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Here, roasted sweet potatoes are topped with Moroccan-spiced lentils and hearty vegetables. To top it all off, a squirt of lemon tahini. It’s so delicious you won’t miss meat or dairy.
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This easy pita sandwich features one of our favorite veggies: roasted cauliflower! It’s stuffed into a flatbread topped with crusty romaine and drizzled with a yogurt-tahini sauce that brings the whole sandwich together.
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This brownie cake features a salted maple tahini sauce. Yes, you heard right! The sauce is almost caramelized after mixing the tahini, maple syrup, espresso powder, and salt. Here it’s drizzled over a brownie pie, but it goes with just about anything: vanilla ice cream, pancakes, or vegan brownies.
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The crema sauce for these loaded Mexican fries is based on tahini, lime juice, Mexican hot sauce, and cumin to deliver big flavor. The sauce combines crispy sweet potato fries and Mexican toppings (black beans, salsa, corn).
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Naan pizzas are great for weeknights so you don’t have to worry about making and shaping the pizza dough. Instead, simply spread the toppings on store-bought naan bread or pitas and bake. These naan pizzas are slathered with hummus and topped with broccoli, chard, and artichokes. To top it off: a fillet full of flavors from tahini, miso and orange juice.
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The perfect drizzle for tacos? That chipotle tahini sauce! It works on tacos of any kind. The magic ingredient is adobo sauce made from a can of chipotle peppers; It’s available at most grocery stores and adds a smoky flavor and bright orange color!
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