How to Make Tahini (No added oil!) (2024)

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This tahini recipe is quick & easy to make at home, and it’s a great way to save money at the same time. Homemade tahini costs nearly half the price of buying a jar at the store, and it will take you roughly 10 minutes to make it.

How to Make Tahini (No added oil!) (1)

What is tahini made of?

The best tahini, in my opinion, is made with only one ingredient— hulled sesame seeds. (I buy these organic ones on Amazon)

Just like peanut butter is made from ground peanuts and almond butter is made from ground almonds, tahini is made from ground sesame seeds. No added oil is required!

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Benefits of sesame seeds

Since tahini is simply a paste made from ground sesame seeds, it should have the same health benefits as the seeds themselves. Check out the possible benefits below!

  • Tahini may help to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are considered risk factors for heart disease. (source)
  • Sesame seeds are a good source of magnesium, which may help to lower blood pressure. (source)
  • The oil naturally found in sesame seeds may have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. (source)
  • Sesame seeds are a source of several B vitamins, including B1, B3, and B6.
  • 3 tablespoons of sesame seeds (roughly 1 1/2 tablespoons of tahini) will provide 10% of the recommended dietary intake (RDI) of iron, which may help with red blood cell formation.

Sesame seeds are also known for having more calcium than milk, but keep in mind that most of the calcium is found in the hull– and this recipe uses sesame seeds with the hull removed. (Because it tastes better.)

What does tahini taste like?

Not surprisingly, tahini tastes like sesame seeds. When you use hulled sesame seeds, it has a mild, nutty, and slightly bitter flavor, with a texture similar to that of peanut butter or sunflower seed butter.

How to make it

To make tahini, you’ll need to start with hulled sesame seeds, or the final result will taste bitter. I don’t toast the seeds, because I like the taste of raw tahini, but you can toast them in a skillet for 5 minutes (no need to add oil) until they are fragrant, if you prefer a toasted flavor.

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Pour the seeds into your food processor (mine is a 12-cup food processor) fitted with an “S” blade, and start processing! In about 5 minutes, your tahini will look a little crumbly, like the photo above.

Stop and scrape down the sides, then return the lid and keep processing. You’ll start to hear more of a “sloshing” sound as the sesame seeds start to release their natural oils, making the tahini creamier and smoother.

After 8 minutes total of processing, it should look something like the photo below.

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You could absolutely serve your tahini after 8 minutes of processing, but I let my food processor run for another 2 minutes, to make sure the tahini is extra-smooth and creamy.

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Transfer the tahini to a glass jar with an airtight lid, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it! Keep in mind that this type of tahini– with no added oil– will thicken up a bit in the fridge, too.

How long does homemade tahini last?

Homemade tahini can last up to 6 months when you store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It must be refrigerated and be sure to always use clean, dry utensils every time you open the jar.

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Tahini recipes (how to use it!)

Tahini is one of my favorite ingredients for adding creaminess to a recipe, without using dairy. Try one of the following tahini recipes to use up whatever you have in the fridge!

  • Lemon Tahini Dressing
  • Cucumber Tahini Salad Dressing
  • Zucchini Hummus
  • Broccoli Salad
  • Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad

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How to Make Tahini (in 10 minutes!)

5 from 2 votes

Here's how to make tahini, with only 1 ingredient. No oil needed!

prep10 mins cook0 mins total10 mins

Servings:16 ounces

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pour the hulled sesame seeds into the bowl of a large food processor fitted with an "S" blade, and start processing.

  • The seeds will take roughly 5 minutes to break down into a crumbly texture, then you can stop and scrape down the sides to make sure everything processes evenly. Process the seeds again, until the tahini becomes silky-smooth. It should take roughly 5 more minutes. (So, 10 minutes total of processing.) You'll hear a change in what the machine sounds like-- the tahini will start to sound more "sloshy" as the seeds release their natural oils.

  • The tahini is done when it's smooth, with a runny or drippy texture. There will still be a slight graininess when you taste it, but ultimately it will be pretty creamy looking.

  • Transfer the tahini to a clean 16 ounce jar, and seal it with an airtight lid. Tahini can be stored in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 176mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Calcium: 366mg | Iron: 5mg

Author: Megan Gilmore

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: gluten-free

Keyword: tahini recipe

Tahini nutrition info above is per ounce, which is roughly a 2 tablespoon serving.

Recipe Notes:

  • If you want to toast your sesame seeds before making tahini, you can do that by stirring them in a pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until they become fragrant.
  • I don’t add oil or salt to my tahini recipe, because I want it to be as neutral in flavor as possible for when I use it in other recipes (like the ones I mentioned above). If you plan to use this plain on toast or crackers, feel free to season it how you like!
  • I haven’t tried making this in a blender, but I imagine you can if you use a low setting. Please let me know if you try it!

If you try this tutorial, please leave a comment below letting me know how it works for you. And if you make any modifications, I’d love to hear about those, too! We can all learn from your experience.

Reader Feedback: How often do you use tahini? I’d love to hear your favorite recipe for it below. It’s a staple in my fridge at all times, but one jar of this usually lasts a month or two in our home!

How to Make Tahini (No added oil!) (8)

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. I create healthy recipes made with simple ingredients to make your life easier.

Read More

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How to Make Tahini (No added oil!) (2024)

FAQs

Does tahini contain oil? ›

Ingredient Notes

You can lightly toast the sesame seeds or use them raw (I typically use raw). Some tahini recipes add oil, but I prefer my tahini to be oil-free. It doesn't need anything other than sesame seeds and maybe a pinch of salt! Sesame seeds can be found at most large grocery stores.

Should tahini have oil on top? ›

Because tahini contains no extra ingredients or emulsifiers, it can—and usually will—separate into oil (on the top) and solids (at the bottom), just like an all-natural peanut butter. A quick stir or shake should be enough to return it to a cohesive pourable or spoonable state.

Does store-bought tahini have added oil? ›

Though some recipes for making tahini at home include a neutral oil in the ingredient list, what you buy from the store should only have one ingredient: sesame seeds.

Why avoid tahini? ›

Because tahini has a high fat content, it has a high number of calories, and moderation is advised for the best health benefits. A large proportion of people with tree nut allergies are also likely to be allergic to sesame seeds.

Is it cheaper to make your own tahini? ›

Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds.

Store-bought jars of tahini can be expensive. Homemade tahini is not only cheaper, but it also tastes amazing. Use tahini to make hummus, salad dressings, sauces, and more!

What is natural tahini? ›

A Paste of 100% Sesame Seeds. Smooth & Nutty. No Artificial Preservatives, Colours or Flavours.

Is tahini healthy? ›

Tahini is a tasty way to add powerful antioxidants and healthy fats to your diet, as well as several vitamins and minerals. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and its health benefits may include reducing risk factors for heart disease and protecting brain health.

Why is my homemade tahini bitter? ›

Bitterness is generally part and parcel of tahini - it's how ground sesame seeds taste. What you will find, however, is that some tahini can taste more bitter than others. This is down to a few things; like how that particular tahini is processed, or the levels of something called oxalic acid in the hulls of the seeds.

Can I use tahini straight from the jar? ›

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, the ability to use tahini straight from the jar provides a quick fix for those seeking both flavor and convenience. Embrace the versatility of this culinary gem, allowing it to effortlessly elevate your meals without the need for extensive preparation.

How can you tell if tahini is rancid? ›

The taste will be sour, kind of metallic, and just plain weird. Utilizing a trusty sniff test is another way of finding out if it's time for your tahini to take a one-way trip to the bin. But something that's important to remember is that ground sesame seeds do naturally have a slightly earthy, bitter aftertaste.

Is tahini more healthy than peanut butter? ›

They're both healthy, dietitians say. Tahini is lower in carbohydrates and sugars than peanut butter is making it a better choice for people who follow low-carb diets, Politi notes. Both foods are predominantly fat, though peanut butter has a little more protein, Young adds.

How long does homemade tahini last in the fridge? ›

How long does homemade tahini last? Homemade tahini can last up to 6 months when you store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It must be refrigerated and be sure to always use clean, dry utensils every time you open the jar.

How was tahini made traditionally? ›

Tahini is made from sesame seeds that are soaked in water and then crushed to separate the bran from the kernels. The crushed seeds are soaked in salt water, causing the bran to sink. The floating kernels are skimmed off the surface, toasted, and ground to produce an oily paste.

What kind of fat is in tahini? ›

Fats. There are about 8 grams of fat in a tablespoon of tahini, made up of three types: Polyunsaturated fat (3.5g): Most of the fat in tahini is polyunsaturated, which is considered a "good" fat.

Does tahini have palm oil? ›

The Matis family have been roasting sesame seeds and making tahini since the beginning of 20th century. Their tahini is 100% natural, without palm oil, made from highest quality sesame seeds in their state of the art facilities.

Is tahini healthier than peanut butter? ›

They're both healthy, dietitians say. Tahini is lower in carbohydrates and sugars than peanut butter is making it a better choice for people who follow low-carb diets, Politi notes. Both foods are predominantly fat, though peanut butter has a little more protein, Young adds.

Is tahini inflammatory? ›

Tahini also has selenium. It acts as an antioxidant and helps lower inflammation in the body. Studies show sesamol, a natural chemical found in sesame seeds and sesame oil, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging benefits.

References

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