What Is Tahini (sesame paste) and How Can I Use It?
Tahini (sesame paste) is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 170 recipes to get you started.
What is tahini (sesame paste)?
Tahini is a paste made from seasame seeds.
A thick beige colored oily paste of seasame seeds that is used in Middle-Eastern cooking, both for savory and sweet dishes. It is a very popular ingredient in vegetarian recipes as it adds rich flavor when used.
Sesame seed paste, a darker roasted variety, is used extensively in China as a dip for the very popular Chinese hot pot.
The sesame oil in the paste separates and floats to the top when stored and needs to be stirred thoroughly before use.
It is becoming quite easy to locate in North American supermarkets normally found in the Ethnic foods section. You can also find dark roasted sesame paste in smaller jars in the Asian section of supermarkets.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 tbsp (15g)Where found
Tahini (sesame paste) is usually found in the condiments section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Tahini (sesame paste) is a member of the Nut and Seed Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much does tahini (sesame paste) weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 15 grams |
| 1 ounce | 28 grams |
Related
Nut and Seed Products
| In Chinese: | 芝麻酱 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | pâte de sésame | |
| en español: | pasta de sésamo |
Recipes using tahini (sesame paste)
There are 170 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Hummus Bi Tahini
Hummus bi tahini blends chickpeas with tahini, garlic, and lemon for the silkiest Lebanese-style dip. A baking soda boil softens the chickpeas, and toasted pine nuts crown the bowl.
Delicious Baba Ghannouj
Quick baba ghanoush with steamed eggplant, tahini, lemon, garlic, and a hint of cumin. The 13-minute version that skips the smoky char in favor of pure, clean eggplant flavor.
Hummus Me Tahini
Authentic hummus me tahini: chickpeas pushed through a sieve and whipped with tahini, lemon, olive oil, and garlic. Traditional Greek-Mediterranean method.
Jane Gol's Hummus
Classic Middle Eastern hummus blended from chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and fresh lemon juice. Smooth, creamy, and ready in 10 minutes for pita, vegetables, or anything that needs a smear.
Hummus #1
Classic Middle Eastern hummus blended from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. Topped with paprika-tinted olive oil and parsley for a smooth, creamy dip ready in 30 minutes.
Red Pepper Hummus with Toasted Pita
Red pepper hummus blends chickpeas with sweet sauteed red peppers, tahini, lemon, and cumin into a smooth, smoky dip, served with crisp homemade garlic-salt pita chips. A fast, vegan appetizer.
Smoky Baba Ghanoush
Smoky baba ghanoush gets its deep, fire-kissed flavor from whole eggplants charred over medium-hot coals. Blended with tahini, garlic, lemon, and a touch of sugar for balance. A creamy Middle Eastern dip that puts hummus on notice.
Spiced Hummus
Spiced chickpea hummus blended with cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric, and tahini. Food processor makes it silky smooth. Chill before serving with pita or vegetables.
Hummus Iii
Classic Middle Eastern hummus blended from cooked chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, four cloves of garlic, and a generous drizzle of olive oil. The pita-and-falafel sidekick that holds its own as a meal.
Simple Hummus
Your basic hummus. Try adding a handful of black beans, spinach, or other "flavors" and spice to create your own unique taste!
Baba Gannouj (Joel Rapp)
Classic baba ghanoush with fire-charred eggplant, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, topped with parsley and olive oil. The traditional Middle Eastern smoky eggplant dip done right.
MarNai's Hummus
Creamy homemade hummus blended from chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic, and a touch of cumin. A quick, healthy, high-fiber dip ready in minutes, finished with fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.
Gluten-Free Granola (Breakfast)
A healthy version of a common breakfast staple, it provides steady-release energy through the day and delivers important nutrients such as iron, selenium and calcium, among others. Easy to make ahead and pack for a day at the office.
Hummus (Chick Pea Dip)
Creamy homemade hummus with tahini, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and cumin. No-cook, five-minute food processor recipe that beats anything store-bought.
Baba Ghanoush No.2
Smoky baba ghanoush of broiler-charred eggplant pureed with tahini, sauteed garlic and onion, and a touch of liquid smoke for that fire-roasted flavor. Served at room temperature with pita.
Falafel
Baked falafel patties with chickpeas, tahini, and warm spices. Healthier Middle Eastern vegetarian patties that are crispy outside, tender inside, without deep frying.
Chilled Couscous Salad with Mango
Absolutely loved it! The other salad I made yesterday, instead of couscous I used quinoa that is much healthier; didn't have cooked chickpea on hand, so I boiled some frozen soy beans instead, and it actually tasted amazing.
Mâche & Chicken Salad with Honey Tahini Dressing
Quite tasty. The tahini dressing made the whole dish sing. We used arugula instead of spinach. Delicious!
Healthy Caesar Salad
This healthy version of Caesar salad has great flavor. For a complete dinner you can add cooked chicken breasts and toss in salad.
Cold & Spicy Udon Noodles
Thick udon noodles with a spicy Asian dressing that's easy to make and ready when you are.
Super Easy Hummus
Hummus is packed with goodness, tastes delicious, and it's so easy to make. Forget about the store-bought ones that usually contain more than just a few ingredients, make it yourself, and you will be amazed by the result.
Cold & Spicy Noodles
This is my kind of food, packed with Asian flavor. Lots of miso, tahini, sesame oil...YUM! Loved orange juice in the sauce, a bit sweet, sour and orange-y taste, which I really enjoyed!
Quick Chinese Chicken Salad
If you just need a quick dinner, this scrumptious salad is the perfect dish for you!
