Easy to make with just 6 ingredients, this Garlic Herb Tahini recipe is a homemade dressing and dip all in one! (2024)

FAQs

What's the main ingredient in tahini? ›

Tahini is made of three ingredients: hulled sesame seeds, oil and sometimes salt. Hulled sesame seeds are typically toasted then ground and emulsified with oil to create a smooth, creamy seed butter with a pourable consistency.

What is tahini sauce? Tahini sauce is a Middle Eastern condiment that is served with many dishes from the region. It's made with only 3 main ingredients: tahini paste, which is crushed sesame seeds, lemon juice, and garlic. Tahini is made by grinding toasted, hulled sesame seeds to create a creamy, smooth spread.

Tahini is a staple in North African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean (Greek, Turkish, Israeli) cuisines, and it pairs well with eggplant, cilantro and yogurt (all popular in those cuisines, as well).

Bitterness is generally part and parcel of tahini - it's how ground sesame seeds taste. What you will find, however, is that some tahini can taste more bitter than others. This is down to a few things; like how that particular tahini is processed, or the levels of something called oxalic acid in the hulls of the seeds.

The tahini may thicken up/clump when it's combined with lemon juice or the first bit of water. Don't worry, this is normal and will be fixed with more water. Gradually add the water, continuing to whisk until the dressing is smooth and creamy.

Is Tahini healthier than peanut butter? They're about the same. Tahini is a little less calorie-dense than peanut butter. But that doesn't mean it's healthier, just that you can eat a little more of it.

The tahini is done when it's smooth, with a runny or drippy texture. There will still be a slight graininess when you taste it, but ultimately it will be pretty creamy looking. Transfer the tahini to a clean 16 ounce jar, and seal it with an airtight lid. Tahini can be stored in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Tahini can go bad, especially if it's exposed to moisture or direct heat. It will have a noticeable, sharp rancid smell.

Tahini is rich, nutty, and can be slightly bitter tasting. Mayonnaise is very smooth, light, and creamy.

Store-bought tahini can either live in a cool dark place or in the fridge (we prefer the pantry, as the fridge can change the consistency of your tahini, making it less silky smooth). If you've mixed your tahini with other ingredients to make a sauce, always keep it in the fridge and use it within 5 days.

What flavor does tahini give? ›

Tahini has a very earthy flavor and is slightly bitter, but not overpowering. Although the spread resembles peanut butter and other nut butters, it does not have a similarly sweet flavor profile. The toasted sesame seed flavor shines through in this creamy, rich ingredient.

What to Eat with Tahini Sauce: In short, pretty much anything you can think of will be elevated with this sauce. For example, grilled chicken or shrimp skewers, burgers, grain bowls, roasted vegetables, and even flatbread pizzas.

“Once the tahini is mixed with water, you're supposed to refrigerate it,” Zitelman says, “but it doesn't last for more than five to seven days in the fridge.”

Tahini may also have a cleansing effect on your body, which is good for all kinds of stomach issues (colitis, gastritis, gastric ulcer, etc.) In case this sounds familiar to you, we suggest you consume plain tahini.

Tahini is an excellent source of minerals and heart-healthy fats and additionally, a versatile food that can be featured in every meal of the day, for five very good reasons. Sesame seeds contain sesamin and sesamolin, two powerful antioxidants that protect cells from free-radical damage and may prevent heart disease.

Tahini has a very earthy flavor and is slightly bitter, but not overpowering. Although the spread resembles peanut butter and other nut butters, it does not have a similarly sweet flavor profile. The toasted sesame seed flavor shines through in this creamy, rich ingredient.

It is a much richer and denser alternative to mayonnaise, with a concentrated savory nuttiness that stands out no matter what you pair it with. You've undoubtedly eaten it in hummus, but tahini is also a creamy ingredient in countless salad dressings, sauces, and even avant-garde cookie recipes.

Although both are creamy and commonly used as condiments, the two have very different flavors and textures. Tahini is rich, nutty, and can be slightly bitter tasting. Mayonnaise is very smooth, light, and creamy. If you're interested in a mayonnaise recipe, try my healthy mayo recipe.