Making a recipe that calls for tahini and don’t have it? Tahini is a paste made of sesame seeds often used in Middle Eastern or Mediterranean dishes. The most famous recipe with tahini? Hummus! It also can used for making creamy sauces for salads and sandwiches, desserts like cookies and cakes, or as a replacement for peanut butter for peanut allergies. Tahini has a slightly bitter flavor right out of the jar; it’s not sweet like most nut butters or seed butters. Tahini is found in the condiment aisle at most groceries. It’s so unique that if you can grab it, it’s worth making a special trip! But if you’re in the middle of the recipe and need a quick fix, here’s the best tahini substitute.
Some recipes are best with the real thing!
Are you making a Tahini Sauce or another recipe with the word “tahini” in the title? If so, it’s usually best to opt for the real thing. Calling it out in the recipe title means it’s a star ingredient, so it’s worth waiting to make the recipe until you can find it.
Best tahini substitute
1. Cashew butter or almond butter
The best substitute for tahini? Cashew butter or almond butter. These nut butters have a similar consistency to tahini and their flavor is fairly neutral. Some people claim you can use peanut butter as a substitute, but we prefer the more neutral flavor of cashew and almond butter. Don’t have them but have nuts? Whip up homemade cashew butter or homemade almond butter. This substitute works in lots of recipes like hummus, cookies, and more.
2. Sunflower butter
The next best substitute for tahini? Sunflower butter! This option is great if you have a nut allergy and need another seed butter.
3. In a pinch: peanut butter + olive oil (hummus)
If you don’t have any of the above and you’re trying to make hummus without tahini: you can also use peanut butter. It’s best with natural peanut butter so it’s not too sweet. Substitute half of the tahini for peanut butter and half for olive oil. It’s not perfect, but it does the trick in a bind. Scroll down to see the recipe!
Related recipes
Here are some tahini recipes where you could use this substitute: No reviews
Best Tahini SauceVegan Tahini CookiesCouscous Bowls with Tahini SauceFudgy Flourless Brownie PieRaw Falafel Buddha BowlsLoaded Mexican FriesVegan Buddha Bowl with Tahini Sauce
