The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (2024)

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Lovetahinibut not sure how to use it? I’m sharing my favorite easy tahini recipes to help you get started! Enjoy these recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and even dessert!

Move over nut butter, tahini is the new star in town!

Tahini is one of my favorite ingredients because it’ssuperversatile, transitioning from savory to sweet recipes with ease. You can also be thicken or thin the consistency, depending on how you're using it.

Before I share this collection of easy tahini recipes, let’s cover the basics about tahini.

What Is Tahini Made Out Of?

Tahini is made from roasted and ground sesame seeds—that’s it! These tiny seeds are flavorful and nutritious, making tahini a great ingredient to add to your meals.

What Does Tahini Taste Like?

Tahini has a unique flavor that's nutty and slightly bitter. Don't let the bitterness scare you away though, it's not overpowering (in fact, I think it’s good!) and it blends well with other ingredients.

Should You Refrigerate Tahini?

Yes, you should refrigerate tahini after opening it. Since it contains ground sesame seeds, which are high in oil, it can go rancid when you store it at room temperature for too long. It will also separate, so you'll need to stir it each time you use it if you keep tahini in the pantry. To extend the shelf life of your tahini, store it in the fridge and use within 6 months.

What Cuts the Bitterness of Tahini?

You can balance bitterness of tahini by using other ingredients with complementary flavors. Some popular options include lemon juice, garlic, honey, and maple syrup.

My Favorite Easy Tahini Recipes

Ready to put your tahini to use? Let’s get started!

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (3)

Homemade Tahini Recipe

When we talk about easy tahini recipes, we have to start with tahini itself! This homemade tahini recipe is quick and easy to make, requiring just one ingredient. The result is a deliciously creamy tahini that will elevate your dressings, sauces, and even baked goods.

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (4)

Maple Tahini Dressing

This delicious maple tahini dressing is a perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors. It adds so many layers of flavor to any salad and you can whip it up in just 2 minutes!

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (5)

Everyday Tahini Sauce

Whether drizzled over roasted vegetables, used as a dip for crispy falafel, or spread onto warm pita bread, the creamy texture and nutty flavor of this classic tahini sauce are sure to satisfy. A multi-tasker you’ll want to always have on hand in the fridge!

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (6)

Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

These might just be the best chocolate chip cookies ever! Made with a brilliant combination of tahini, quinoa flour, coconut flour, and rich dark chocolate chips, these cookies have a perfect balance of flavors.

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (7)

Quinoa Flour Tahini Brownies

Fudgy, chocolatey vegan brownies are upgraded with the surprising addition of tahini. It adds depth and complexity, transforming one-note chocolate brownies into a treat that tastes like it came from a high-end bakery.

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (8)

Chili Lime Tahini Sauce

This creamy and drizzle-able chili-lime tahini sauce takes just 5 minutes to whip up, making it one of my favorite easy tahini recipes! It's the perfect accompaniment for tacos, salads, and a wide variety of Tex-Mex dishes. Who needs sour cream?!

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (9)

Tahini Banana Breakfast Cookies

Tahini banana breakfast cookies will help you start your day off right! Made with a delicious blend of wholesome oats, protein-packed quinoa, ripe bananas, and rich tahini, they’re a satisfying and nourishing breakfast that tastes like a treat.

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (10)

Chopped Quinoa Salad with Chive-Tahini Dressing

This flavorful chopped quinoa salad is a hearty combination of fresh vegetables, briny olives, nutrient-packed quinoa, and protein-rich chickpeas. It all comes together with a savory chive-tahini dressing!

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (11)

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Herbed Tahini Dressing

This refreshing Mediterranean quinoa salad combines ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, and protein-rich quinoa with a zippy tahini dressing. I love having this salad for lunch because it manages to be both light and satisfying.

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (12)

5-Ingredient Chocolate + Tahini Quinoa Energy Bites

For an easy tahini recipe perfect for a midday snack or post-workout pick-me-up, you will love these rich, fudgy energy bites! The addition of tahini keeps the flavor from being cloying because it adds the perfect amount of balance.

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (13)

Mayo-Free Vegan Coleslaw

Crispy-crunchy vegan coleslaw swaps the usual mayo for tahini, giving it the creaminess you crave, with a much richer flavor. Pile this onto veggie burgers, baked sweet potatoes, and more!

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (14)

Flourless Pumpkin Tahini Blondies

These gluten-free pumpkin tahini blondies will become your new favorite treat for fall! Tahini adds protein and balances the natural sweetness of the recipe.

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (15)

Autumn Chopped Quinoa Salad with Apple Cider + Tahini-Sage Dressing

A delicious salad that is quick to prepare, filling enough to satisfy, and above all, incredibly tasty! It’s everything delicious about fall in a single bowl.

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (16)

Vegan Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Mediterranean Quinoa

Sweet potatoes and tahini are one of my favorite pairings! Bright, zippy tahini sauce is amazing with tender, oven-baked sweet potatoes—and this recipe adds chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, quinoa, and Kalamata olives for even more flavor.

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (17)

Glowing Winter Quinoa Bowls

Nourishing winter quinoa Buddha bowls are packed with a colorful medley of roasted veggies, then each bowl is generously drizzled with a creamy tahini sauce, adding a nutty, tangy flavor to every bite.

Check out this recipe

The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (18)

Red Quinoa Salad with Roasted Squash, Brussel Sprouts + Maple-Tahini Dressing

Fall veggies are some of my favorites for serving with tahini, and this final easy tahini recipe features two standouts: roasted squash and Brussels sprouts. I make variations of this recipe for lunch all throughout the fall months!

Check out this recipe

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The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (2024)

FAQs

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

Why add water to tahini? ›

If your tahini is dry, or if you prefer a thinner sauce, add more water, as needed, to reach your desired consistency. Then, taste and adjust your seasonings. If you prefer a brighter sauce, add more lemon.

How long does homemade tahini last? ›

Homemade tahini can last up to 6 months when you store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It must be refrigerated and be sure to always use clean, dry utensils every time you open the jar.

Do you refrigerate tahini after opening the jar? ›

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 you eat tahini straight from the jar? ›

Spread it Like Butter: Spreadable and rich, tahini straight from the jar is a delightful alternative to traditional spreads.

How do you take the bitterness out of tahini? ›

How to make tahini sauce less bitter. As I mentioned earlier, your best bet to get a less bitter dressing is to use hulled tahini. If you're using the hulled tahini and you still find it bitter, the maple syrup is there to add a slightly sweet note and to offset any of the bitterness.

What does tahini taste good on? ›

Tahini is a key ingredient in classic hummus recipes, adding richness and creaminess to the dip. Other dips and spreads. Tahini can be mixed with other ingredients to make delicious dips and spreads, such as baba ghanoush, muhammara, or even as a sandwich spread. Salad dressings.

How to tell if tahini has gone bad? ›

But how can you tell if it's spoiled? “Use your eyes and your nose first,” Zitelman says. “So if it looks different or if it smells different, then it probably is different.” Luckily, tahini is less prone to rancidity than sesame oil, although the reasons for that are not entirely clear.

Is homemade tahini worth it? ›

Yes, the tahini that you make at home is better than the tahini you buy in the store. And yes, it is great to understand exactly what is going into your food. And we tend to assume that making food at home will be cheaper than buying it at the store.

What food pairs well with tahini? ›

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).

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.

Do you stir tahini before using? ›

Once you get your jar of tahini home, you want to open it up and give it a stir to make sure it's incorporated. (If the oil has fully separated, such as in the photo above, Food editor Joe Yonan uses an immersion blender to reincorporate it, after which he says it stays emulsified.)

How to use up leftover tahini? ›

15 (and counting!) Ways to Use Up Tahini
  1. Eat on bread. Alice said “In Turkey we mix it with molasses and eat on bread. ...
  2. Use in salad dressing. ...
  3. Make biscuits. ...
  4. Use in place of nut butter. ...
  5. Add to home made veggie burgers. ...
  6. Make baba ganoush. ...
  7. Make your own chocolates. ...
  8. Banana toffee ice cream.

What is tahini good for? ›

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. Other studies suggest it also has strong anti-cancer effects.

Can I eat tahini by itself? ›

It's exactly the same process as turning peanuts into peanut butter. The result is a very rich paste, delicious by itself in very small quantities – try a smear on your avocado toast – but usually appearing as an ingredient in other dishes and preparations. You'll see tahini labelled as hulled or unhulled.

Can you freeze leftover tahini? ›

All you'll need is sesame seeds and olive oil - it's that easy to make! If you end up making your own homemade tahini, I recommend freezing it in our half-cup trays so it lasts longer and is easier to defrost in small portions.

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