Want to learn how to make tahini from scratch? This easy homemade tahini recipe gives you rich, flavorful tahini in no time. Perfect to use in sauces, dips, dressings, and more.
Whether you’re drizzling it over salads, blending it into smoothies, or baking it into desserts, tahini is a versatile and nutritious addition to your kitchen.
And it's SO easy to make at home! I love making this as part of my meal prep and using it in many ways throughout the week.
My homemade tahini recipe shows you how to make tahini from scratch.
Give this simple recipe a try, and explore all the delicious ways you can incorporate tahini into your meals!
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🫙 What is tahini?
Tahini is a staple ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine, made from toasted and ground sesame seeds.
Its rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture make it an essential component in many dishes. You'll find it in most hummus recipes and it's great for salad dressings.
But tahini is more than just a delicious condiment—it’s a nutritional powerhouse with a fascinating history.
🌏 Where does tahini come from?
Tahini has deep roots in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures, dating back thousands of years.
It's believed to have originated in the region that now includes Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.
Sesame seeds, the main ingredient in tahini, have been cultivated for over 5,000 years and were highly valued by ancient civilizations. The seeds were considered a symbol of immortality in Egyptian mythology, and sesame oil was used in traditional medicine.
🌟 Why this recipe works
Tahini is so delicious! It's a fast, easy, flavorful condiment that packs a nutritious punch.
- Fast and easy - making tahini from scratch just required 3 ingredients and can be made in under 20 minutes.
- Versatile - Use homemade tahini in salad dressings, pasta sauces, meat and seafood sauces, dips like hummus, and even desserts!
- Full of flavor - The nuttiness from the sesame seeds is enriched by toasting the seeds. I could eat homemade tahini on its own by the spoonful. It's so delicious when you make it from scratch!
- Lots of health benefits - Sesame seeds are an excellent source of healthy fats, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and zinc. It's rich in antioxidants, and great for heart health, bone health, and digestive health.
- Naturally gluten-free & dairy-free - This makes it a great option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, and for those who are lactose intolerant or have dairy sensitivities.
🛒 Ingredient notes
You just need three simple ingredients to make tahini:
- Sesame seeds - Toasting sesame seeds takes just a few minutes and gives tahini that rich depth of flavor.
- Neutral oil - A neutral cooking oil like grapeseed oil or avocado oil is great and adds that creaminess to the tahini texture. But you can also use a lighter olive oil.
- Salt - Some recipes make this optional, but honestly, I find tahini needs at least a little bit of salt for the best flavor. I use kosher salt.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
Follow these step-by-step photos to make fresh tahini at home. Find more details in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Toast the sesame seeds.
- Add the seeds to a food processor.
3. Pulse the seeds in the food processor, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed in-between pulses.
4. Pulse until the mixture resembles course crumbles.
5. Slowly pour in the oil while the food processor runs.
6. Add the salt.
7. Continue running the food processor until the mixture is smooth.
8. Pour into a mason jar or other airtight container and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it!
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Tahini can be used in place of peanut butter or almond butter in many recipes. It has a slightly different flavor but works well in both sweet and savory dishes.
Like natural peanut butter, tahini can separate over time, with the oil rising to the top. This is normal; just stir it back together before using.
Tahini should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. It can last up to a month when refrigerated.
Yes, you can freeze tahini, although it may change the texture slightly. To freeze, place it in an airtight container and thaw it in the refrigerator when ready to use.
🍽 Serving ideas
You can use tahini in so many ways! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Tahini dressing - Mix tahini with lemon juice, garlic, and water for a creamy salad dressing or drizzle it over roasted vegetables.
- Tahini swirl brownies - Add a swirl of tahini to your brownie batter before baking for a nutty twist on a classic dessert.
- Tahini smoothies - Blend a spoonful of tahini into your morning smoothie for added creaminess and a boost of healthy fats.
- Tahini cookies - Substitute tahini for peanut butter in cookie recipes for a unique flavor profile.
- Tahini pasta - My favorite way to use tahini! Create a rich, nutty sauce by mixing tahini with garlic, lemon juice and lemon zest, and fresh herbs. It's absolutely perfect for tossing with noodles. Get our full Tahini Pasta recipe on the blog.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
Sauvignon Blanc: This crisp, acidic white wine is a great match for tahini’s rich, nutty flavor. The acidity in Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the creaminess of tahini, refreshing the palate. It pairs particularly well with tahini dressings, hummus, and salads that include fresh herbs and citrus.
Chardonnay (unoaked): An unoaked Chardonnay offers a clean, vibrant profile that complements the subtle nuttiness of tahini without overpowering it. The wine’s smooth texture mirrors the creaminess of tahini, making it an ideal choice for dishes like tahini pasta or tahini-based sauces.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:
- Skillet - I toast sesame seeds in my Hexclad 12" hybrid non-stick pan.
- Food processor - This is my personal favorite food processor that does a great job of making tahini. You could also use a high-powered blender, but in my experience, a food processor does the best job.
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Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Easy Homemade Tahini Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup sesame seeds
- 2-4 Tablespoons neutral seed oil such as avocado oil, grapeseed, or light olive oil)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds for approximately 3-5 minutes, stirring regularly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Add the toasted sesame seeds to a food processor and pulse until seeds form a crumbly paste, approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and pulse for 1-3 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed in-between pulses.
- Add between 1-2 tablespoons more of the olive oil, one tablespoon at a time, pulsing in-between. Only add as much oil as needed to help create a smooth tahini paste. You can add a little more olive oil if you prefer it to run more, like a sauce; use less if you prefer a thicker paste.
- Sprinkle in the salt and pulse to combine. Taste, and add more salt if needed.
- Transfer tahini to a mason jar or other airtight container with lid and refrigerate for up to one month.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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