This homemade tahini couldn’t be any easier to make. It’s only two ingredients, and it’s delicious as a dip on it’s own, or used in some your favorite recipes, like salad dressing or hummus!
Tahini is so easy to make at home, on your own, with only 2 ingredients. It’s better and cheaper than store bought, and this way you aren’t left with a huge jar that goes to waster.
What is tahini?
Tahini is a simple paste made from ground toasted sesame seeds. It can be served as a dip on its own, or is used in popular recipes like hummus and baba ghanoush. Tahini is used in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines.
I love making homemade hummus, because you can season it however you want, and it’s the perfect quick and easy, and healthy snack to make at home. The only problem, is I don’t like buying a big expensive jar or tahini when you only need a small amount for your homemade hummus.
That’s where this homemade tahini comes in. I can whip up a small cupful and have just enough to make 2 or 3 batches of homemade hummus.
How long can you keep tahini? Will Tahini go bad?
This tahini will last for several months if kept in the fridge, with an airtight container. It should last for about 1 month. The oil may separate, so stir it together if needed when you are using it. You may need to bring it room temperature to stir it together if it’s become too solid.
Store bought tahini will have preservatives added in, so it will last for about 6 months.
If you are unsure about your tahini, you can smell it, if it smells rancid then you should throw it away.
How to Make Tahini?
All you need to make this tahini recipe is sesame seeds and a little bit of a neutral oil, such as olive oil, grape seed oil, or canola oil. You will just toast the sesame seeds for a little bit and then blend then up with a little bit of oil until you get a nice and smooth paste.
You can find sesame seeds at a bulk store, like Winco for really cheap. Hulled seeds have less of a bitter taste, but you can grab whatever you find at the store. The seeds taste best when they’re toasted.
How to Use Tahini?
- As a dip for vegetables or pita on its own
- Homemade Hummus
- Try a Chocolate Hummus for a sweet treat
- Baba Ganoush – a delicious roasted eggplant dip, perfect with pita, or crackers
- Tahini Salad Dressing – so good over your favorite salad
- Tahini Sauce – so good over roasted vegetables
- Drizzled over Falafel – such a good vegan dinner idea, made with chickpeas and fresh herbs and spices
- Double Chocolate Tahini Banana Muffins – chocolatey banana muffins, perfect for breakfast or a snack
- Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies – who says tahni can’t be used in sweets, it gives these cookies a nice nuttiness
This homemade tahini is so easy, and so delicious. It’s the perfect lightly nutty sauce that is so good on it’s own, or in a variety of recipes!
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Homemade Tahini
Ingredients
- 1 cup sesame seeds
- 2-4 TBS neutral oil (like olive oil, grape seed oil or canola oil)
Instructions
- (Optional) Toast the sesame seeds over medium heat on the stove top for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly (they burn fast), till they turn a light golden color. Allow seeds to cool for about 30 minutes.
- Blend the sesame seeds in the blender (twister jar is best) until a crumbly paste is formed.
- Add in 1 tablespoon at a time of oil, until you get the thinness of the tahini that you like (that was 2 for me).
- Use tahini as desired.
- Store tahini in a sealed container for up to 1 month in the fridge.
Video
Nutrition
This homemade tahini was first posted on July 13, 2015. The photos and blog text were updated for clarity on April 11, 2021.
This post contains affiliate links. That means that we may receive a small compensation if you click on the links to these products, and purchase something through them.
Things you might need for this recipe:
**I received a free Blendtec Designer 725 and Twister Jar in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.
Alejandra Corbella says
what I wouldn’t do with it? I love smoothies so the first thing would be a mango smoothie, I would also use it for juices and cakes mixes
rusthawk says
The first thing I would make is my spicy salsa — and ice cream!
Fran says
I would make white gazpacho and I would share it with you all when you say I won and present the blender to me. Thanks in advance, Fran.
Jenny says
Oh my – making the tahini at home never came to my mind. That’s such a great idea and now I know it’s super easy to do! I will definitely try this recipe and add it to my hummus (probably not even comparable to the store bought ones – yumm! Homemade is just delish). And besides that I love to make green smoothies to take them to work for breakfast.
Aimee Berrett says
Its totally easy you have to add it! I think homemade hummus is the best!! Hope you’ll try it!
Ps. Whats your favorite green smoothie?
Jenny says
Since I got introduced to homemade hummus by a Lebanese friend for the first time I always wanted to make some my own as it tasted so good (and the German store bought ones are often too vinegary). So sesame seeds are surely on my next grocery shopping list! Thanks for sharing 🙂
At the moment my favorite green smoothie is called little green buddha. The ingredients are: 1/2 ripe avocado, 1 hand spinach, 1 hand pineapple, 1 tbsp oil (I prefer coconut), 1 can coconut water (~ 300 ml = about 1 1/5 cups). Just add all ingredients together and blend smooth. Yum!
Paula Allen says
I have made Tahini before. It looks so much easier with the Blendtec. I like to make fruit smoothies with an added frozen banana for milkshake like texture.
Lisa Johnson says
I love smoothies, so I would probably make a breakfast smoothie.
Lauren C says
I would probably make a green smoothie first in a brand new blendtec!
Karin Muserallo says
i just bought some hummus from Trader Joe’s the other day! Yum! I would love to make my own tahini! I did not know it was SO easy! I go to an international market in Atlanta so I can’t wait to buy sesame seeds!
Lorien LoLo Brinkman-Bouche says
No check marks, so I’ll try here! 😉
Obviously, I’d LOVE this!
Lara says
Yum yum yum. That looks delicious! I need to get me some hummus.
Heba Elalfy says
love hummus 🙂
karen says
I’d make gazpacho if I won that awesome blender
Lindsay Grover says
Oh my goodness. I am a hummus addict. If it can be this easy I better start making my own. Thanks for the great recipe!
Aimee Berrett says
You definitely need to make your own! I have a great traditional hummus recipe that I love, and stay tuned for 2 more hummus recipes this week!
Krista says
I would make a cherry smoothie.
Courtney says
Ahh a Blendtec!? What wouldn’t I make with a Blendtec? I’d probably start out with baby food for my little guy and a smoothie from me… I know the options from there are endless!
saroja says
strawberry shake
Lori Williams says
There is so much that I want to make!! The first thing I think I will make is some smoothies for the whole family. We love smoothies!! Thank you.
Ellen Casper says
I would make a berry smoothie
Sarah Oswald says
I would make a green fruit smoothie I have wanted to try one with spinach to see how it would taste.
cupcakediaries1 says
Love it!! Can’t wait to make this and quite buying that massive jar. Great idea!
mommy2darlings says
Oh, homemade hummus sound yummy!! I would probably make some yummy smoothies first thing. Thanks for the recipe for tahini and the chance to win!!
Alex Robertson says
I totally need homemade tahini in my life! I would love this blender. Dream blender for sure! I would make some special baking flours like garbanzo bean flour and a smoothie of course to break in my new blender 🙂
Aimee Berrett says
Good luck! Thanks for entering! We have only made homemade regular flour, but other kinds are a great idea!!
Marsha A. says
I would make this tahini. What a great idea, I never use up the entire jar that I buy and feel it is such a waste of money.
Aimee Berrett says
My thoughts exactly!
Jessica says
I had no idea how easy! Tahini is what kept me from making my own hummus!
Aimee Berrett says
Me too! I’ve only made it a few times, cause each time I had to buy a new bottle. Now I don’t!
Yvonne [Tried and Tasty] says
Homemade tahini? This is GENIUS!!! I totally agree, the huge jar is SO expensive and you only need a little bit for hummus – genius I tell you!