Tahini has become a trendy ingredient as of late: but what is it? It’s been used in Mediterranean dishes for centuries. These days, it’s used in everything from traditional recipes like hummus to more creative uses like no bake cookies! Keep reading for more about tahini and a few recipes for inspiration.
What is tahini?
Tahini is a paste made of sesame seeds. It’s typically used in Middle Eastern or Mediterranean dishes. Since it’s simply made of sesame seeds and salt, tahini is vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, Paleo, keto, and Whole 30 friendly. It’s perfect for making creamy sauces for salads and sandwiches, desserts like cookies and cakes, or as a replacement for peanut butter for peanut allergies. It’s also a nice substitute for dairy in vegan recipes. Tahini has a slightly bitter flavor right out of the jar; it’s not sweet like most nut butters or seed butters! So, it’s best when mixed with other flavors. Often it is paired with lemon, which brings out a brightness. It also works well in desserts when mixed with sweeteners.
What’s tahini sauce?
One of our favorite tahini recipes is our Best Tahini Sauce. It’s a sauce that’s a mixture of tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, a little maple syrup, and salt. It melds into a creamy sauce that’s perfect for all sorts of things: salads, sandwiches, even a dipping sauce for fries. A few of our favorite uses for tahini sauce are our Chickpea Couscous Bowls and Raw Falafel Buddha Bowls.
Where to find tahini
You can find tahini in your local grocery store, many times in the international aisle. It is sometimes also located near the peanut butter and other nut butters. If you can’t find it in your grocery, you can also buy it online! See below. Get it: Organic Tahini, 16 ounce jar
Ways to use it
There are so many different ways to use tahini, from traditional to outside the box! Here are a few ways we like to use it:
Hummus is the most basic use: try our green hummus for a unique spinSalad dressing: mix it with lemon juice, olive oil and salt to taste for a makeshift dressing Pancakes or waffles: mix it with maple syrup to turn it into a drizzle for breakfast: try our banana pancakes or fluffy wafflesFruit: do the same as above to make a drizzle for sliced berriesChipotle sauce: Mix it with Mexican hot sauce and spices to become a spicy drizzle for salads or friesCookies: Because why not? Here’s a spin on no bake cookies with this sesame seed paste
Related
We love to resource your kitchen and garden! Here are a few more resources:
How to Warm Tortillas How to Clean a Pizza Stone What is a Plant Based Diet? How to Buy Sustainable Fish & Seafood How to Grow Herbs What is a Vegan vs. Vegetarian Diet? How to Grow Basil How to Make Coffee: 4 Ways
