30+ Recipes With Tahini

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Recipes with tahini are becoming increasingly popular across the globe. Not only is Tahini tasty and nutritious, but it’s also a staple ingredient in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisine. Without it, signature dishes like hummus wouldn’t be possible. That being said, hummus is not the only recipe you can use tahini in! It is a versatile ingredient perfect for both sweet and savory dishes. If you’re looking for different recipes to use tahini, you’ll love trying some of my tahini-based recipes for new and exciting flavors to experience.

Table of Contents

1. What is tahini made from?
2. What is Tahini Used For?
3. tips for using tahini in recipes
4. 33 of my best tahini recipes
5. frequently asked questions
6. full list of Tahini recipes

Tahini is known for its rich and nutty flavor, as well as its nutritional value. It’s a great source of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. So whether you’re trying to eat healthier or just looking to add some more flavor to your recipes, tahini is definitely worth trying out!

What is tahini made from?

Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds that have been roasted, which are then blended with oil to create a smooth paste. The traditional method of making tahini involves using hulled sesame seeds, while unhulled sesame seeds can also be used for a slightly bitter and nuttier taste. For more information about tahini and how to make it yourself, head over to my recipe for homemade tahini sauce!

What is Tahini Used For?

• Hummus. 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. Add a creamy texture and highlight the roasted sesame flavor of tahini by using it to make salad dressings. It’s also a great vegan alternative to dairy-based dressings.
• Grilled meats and vegetables. Tahini can be used as a marinade or sauce for grilled meats and vegetables, adding depth of flavor to the dish.
• Baked goods. Tahini can be used in baked goods like cookies, cakes, and bread, adding a rich and nutty flavor to the recipe.
• Smoothies and ice cream. Add tahini for a protein boost and for adding a unique and deliciously nutty flavor.

tips for using tahini in recipes

1. Stir well. Tahini can sometimes separate in the jar, so be sure to stir it well before using it to ensure that the oil and sesame paste is fully mixed.
2. Adjust consistency. Depending on the recipe, you may need to adjust the consistency of the tahini. You can do this by adding more water or oil to thin it out.
3. Use it as a condiment. Tahini can be used as a condiment to add a nutty sesame seed flavor to dishes, such as a drizzle on roasted vegetables, or mixed with lemon and garlic as a sauce for grilled meats.
4. Store properly. Tahini should be stored in a cool, dry place and can last up to six months when stored properly. It can also be refrigerated for longer shelf life.

33 of my best tahini recipes

Tahini is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes. Some common uses of tahini include making dips and hummus, adding a nutty flavor to desserts, using it in vegetarian dinner recipes, and using it as a base for salad dressings.

Dips and Hummus Recipe with tahini

• Lebanese Baba Ghanoush – Smokey, creamy, and so flavorful, made with only 4 ingredients, including eggplant and tahini. A great alternative to hummus.
• Roasted Garlic and Lemon Hummus – This hummus is for garlic lovers! It uses two full heads of garlic that are roasted and squeezed into the mix for an aromatic hummus dip.
• Roasted Red Pepper Hummus – This tahini hummus adds a little more color to your spread and some peppery flavor.
• Authentic Lebanese Hummus – Made with tahini, this healthy homemade hummus is perfect for dipping and can be used in sandwiches, salads, and burgers.
• Avocado Hummus Dip – Think hummus with a guacamole twist! It starts as a classic hummus with the addition of avocados and fresh cilantro.
• White Bean Tahini Dip – Skip the chickpeas and use white beans for a variation of the traditional recipe. This tahini bean dip also includes ground cumin for a warm earthy seasoning.
• Hummus with Ground Beef – Take your hummus to the next level and literally beef it up with savory ground beef on top!
• Artichoke Tahini Dip – Served hot, this cheesy dip is made with spinach, artichokes, tahini (my special ingredient!), and feta cheese. 
• 7-Layer Mediterranean Dip – This recipe combines classic Mediterranean flavors with a layer of homemade tahini hummus, labneh, chopped vegetables, and feta cheese.

Dinner recipes with tahini

• Beef Shawarma Wrap – One of the best parts of this beef wrap is drizzling a tahini sauce made with lemon juice. It pairs perfectly with the savory beef and fresh vegetables.
• Lebanese Chicken Fatteh – Tahini is often added to the yogurt to thicken it and add a nutty taste and creamy consistency. We didn’t grow up eating it with tahini, but it’s still very enjoyable with it!
• Meat Stuffed Pitas – Also known as Lebanese Arayes, is ground beef pan-fried in thin pita and dipped into a nutty tahini sauce.
• Oven Roasted Chickpea Shawarma – For an easy weeknight meal, it doesn’t get better than throwing everything together in one pan and roasting it in the oven. Add to a bowl for serving with tahini sauce over the top.
• Chicken Shawarma Pita Pizza – It’s basically taking the idea of a pizza (flat dough with toppings) and adding a Mediterranean flair to it.
• Sayadieh – While there is so much flavor in the spiced rice and cooked fish, we love to add a lemony tahini dressing on the side to drizzle over every bite.

Dessert recipes with tahini

• Tahini Milkshake – Super simple, rich, and delicious. This is basically a dairy-free banana shake with tahini added for an amazingly sweet and nutty treat.
• Sesame Tahini Cookies – Sweet almond flour, honey, and tahini cookie dough is pressed into sesame seeds before baking. They’re chewy, and nutty, and have a slight crunch from the toasted seeds.
• Tahini Shortbread Cookies – Buttery and rich shortbread cookies are made with tahini for a delicious sesame-flavored bite with a Mediterranean flair. 
• Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies –  Instead of using only butter to make the cookies, swap half the amount for tahini. It adds a slight savory taste to the cookies, similar to adding sea salt, and makes them so flavorful and irresistible!
• Namoura (Semolina Cake) – This authentic Lebanese cake is made with ghee, almonds, and topped with a simple syrup and is a nostalgic dessert my mom always made.
• Tahini Brownies – Super thick and fudgy brownies with the best nutty flavor from tahini swirled into the batter before baking.
• Sfouf (Turmeric Cake) – This cake has such a beautiful color and rich taste that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee.

Vegetarian recipes with tahini

• Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad – This chickpea salad is full of healthful ingredients from the dressing ingredients of yogurt and tahini, creating a wonderful flavor loaded with crisp vegetables and fresh herbs.
• Hummus Toast – 4 Ways – An easy protein-packed healthy snack. You can make it using homemade or store-bought hummus and customize it with any toppings!
• Baked Kale Chips – If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to potato chips, these leafy greens are perfect and so tasty, dipped in a smooth and creamy sesame sauce.
• Cauliflower with Tahini – Seasoned and roasted, these bite-sized cauliflower pieces are perfectly dippable and great for an appetizer or side dish.
• Chickpea Fritters – We already know chickpeas and tahini are a match made in heaven, so making these quick and easy fritters for dunking in a creamy sesame sauce is an obvious combination!
• Vegan Cauliflower Pita Sandwiches – Vegan pita sandwich filled with roasted cauliflower generously seasoned with bright Mediterranean spices, fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and tahini!

recipes with tahini salad dressing

• Chicken Shawarma Salad – This Chicken Shawarma Salad bowl is an authentic Lebanese shawarma recipe made with a warm spice blend & served over salad with tahini dressing!
• Roasted Beef and Kale Salad – Full of so many colors and textures, this salad is anything but boring. Top with a creamy sesame seed salad dressing for the best nutty flavor.
• Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl – I love pairing quinoa with brightly colored veggies! Together they create not only a beautiful dinner but an amazingly delicious one, especially with a light tahini, lemon, and garlic dressing.
• Quinoa Buddha Bowl – This vegan quinoa bowl is loaded with heart-healthy quinoa as the base and then topped with massaged kale, roasted sweet potatoes, and roasted chickpeas.
• Mediterranean Hummus Bowl – Have you ever tried hummus as a dressing? Classic hummus is delicious, but really you could add any flavored tahini-based hummus you like to toss the veggies in.

frequently asked questions

Get nutty with these tahini recipes! Add a toasty twist to your dishes with this versatile ingredient. From condiments to incorporating this sesame paste into recipes, tahini will rock your kitchen. Don’t limit it to just hummus – try these recipes and taste the magic yourself!

full list of Tahini recipes

Check out the picture cards for all the tahini recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipe cards to take you directly to those recipes.

For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Best Recipes for Ramadan, Plant-based Dinner Recipes, Authentic Lebanese Recipes, and a few Satisfying Smoothies.

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