Tahini (sesame paste)

طحينة / ṭaḥīna · tahini

Flavor and role

A Middle Eastern paste of hulled, lightly toasted sesame seeds ground fine. Nutty and slightly bitter, it turns into a creamy sauce when mixed with lemon juice.

Typical dishes and uses

Hummus, Dubai chocolate, baba ganoush, falafel sauce, halva

Substitutes

1 tbsp tahini = 1 tbsp unsweetened peanut butter + a few drops of sesame oil. Chinese sesame paste (zhimajiang) has a stronger toasted flavor.

Storage

After opening, keeps 1 month at room temperature, 6 months refrigerated. If the oil separates, stir well before use.

Main countries

Lebanon · Israel · Türkiye

Used in this book

HummusDubai ChocolateBaba ganoushBasbousaDan Dan NoodlesFalafelFatteh (Lebanese Chickpea and Yogurt Pita)Feteer MeshaltetJerusalem Mixed Grill (Me'orav Yerushalmi)SabichShabu-ShabuTahini Afghans with Pistachio and Sesame (Middle Eastern × NZ)Charcoal baba ganoush with pine nuts and pomegranate molassesMiso-sesame baba ganoushBaba ganoush eggplant boatsWhipped Bissara Dip with Sizzling Cumin-Chili ButterBourekas Breakfast SandwichWhite Miso Sesame Swirl BrowniesHoney-Tahini Challah Monkey BreadSizzling Tadka Lentil HummusJapanese-Style Tantanmen (Sesame-Miso Soy Milk Ramen)Crispy Dan Dan Rice-Paper DumplingsTempered Dark Dubai Bar with Homemade Pistachio PasteFava and Chickpea Falafel with Parsley Tarator and Sumac OnionsFalafel Banh Mi with Quick Pickles and Sriracha Tahini MayoBaked Falafel Crunch BowlFatteh with Slow-Cooked Chickpeas, Fried Pita and Ghee-Toasted NutsFatteh Layer Cups with Za'atar Pita Crumble and Brown-Butter Pine NutsHoney-Tahini Feteer SwirlsSlow-Simmered Ful with Tahini and Garlic TashaWhipped Ful & Tahini Toast with Za'atarAlexandrian Hawawshi with Homemade Dough and Tahini SauceHawawshi Cheese Quesadillas with Tahini-Lime CremaHawawshi Puff Pinwheels with Tahini-Yogurt DipHummus bil Lahme with Spiced Beef and Pine NutsIndian Tadka Hummus with Curry-Leaf GheeCrispy Chickpea Hummus Toast with Jammy EggJareesh Mozzarella Croquettes with Sumac Tahini DipJerusalem Mixed Grill with Homemade Amba and Charred OnionsJerusalem Mixed Grill Yakitori (Israeli × Japanese)Jerusalem Grill Golden Rice BowlFried Kibbeh Footballs with Pine Nut Filling and Tahini SauceKibbeh Smash Burger with Tahini-Garlic SauceJapanese Sesame Soy Milk Cold Soba (Kongguksu × Soba)Luqaimat Brunch Pancakes with Date-Tahini ButterKofta Meatloaf with Pomegranate Glaze and Tahini Yogurt (Levantine × American)Momo Smash Tacos with Achar MayoRed-Red Black-Eyed Bean Hummus with Plantain ChipsSabich with Haminados Eggs and ZhugEggplant Katsu Sabich SandoSabich Deviled EggsCold Shabu Salad Bowl with Sesame PonzuChicken Shawarma TacosCold Thukpa Noodle Salad with Timur-Sesame DressingCrispy Tofu-Pouch Udon Salad BowlSpicy Sesame Soup Dumpling Bowl with Bok Choy

Updated 2026-10-10