Sesame’s Secret Weapon: Tahini

If you’ve ever tasted hummus or had a spoonful of baba ghanoush, you’ve almost certainly encountered tahini. This thick paste of ground sesame seeds is one of the staples of the Middle Eastern kitchen, and there’s really no substitute.

Tahini is similar to the sesame paste used in Asian cuisine, but more refined. For tahini, the raw or toasted sesame seeds are blanched and lightly crushed to separate the tough outer bran from the actual seed kernel. The seeds are then ground into a pale-colored creamy paste, sometimes with the addition of a little olive oil or salt (tahini made from just sesame seeds is sometimes labeled raw tahini). It’s actually quite easy to make at home.

→ Learn how: How To Make Tahini

Tahini has an earthy, nutty flavor that we think is a little more subtle and understated than other nut butters. It doesn’t necessarily announce its presence in a dish, but you’d definitely notice if it were missing.

Since it’s very high in oil, keep tahini refrigerated once you’ve opened it to prevent it from going rancid too quickly. It gets difficult to stir once it’s chilled, so be sure to thoroughly mix it before putting it in the refrigerator. If it separates again, let it warm for a few minutes on the counter before mixing and using.

There are also plenty of things to do with tahini beyond adding a spoonful to hummus! Try experimenting with tahini-based salad dressings and marinades, mixing it into falafel, and just eating it as a snack with raw veggies.

→ Read more: Open Sesame! What To Do With a Jar of Tahini

What do you like to do with tahini?

• How To Make Hummus from Scratch
• Cabbage Slaw with Ginger-Tahini Dressing
• Potato Salad with Lemon Tahini & Dill Dressing
• Tofu Chickpea Stir-Fry with Tahini Sauce
• Tahini-Miso Dressing
• Tahini-Date Salted Caramels
• Spicy Lentil Wraps with Tahini Sauce
• Creamy Beet & Tahini Dip
• Brown Rice Bowl with Maple-Glazed Tempeh & Tahini-Miso Dressing

Updated from a post originally published in August 2010.