Tahina
Creamy, nutty, and incredibly versatile, homemade tahina is a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, perfect for adding depth of flavor to your kitchen creations. This simple recipe combines toasted sesame seeds, a touch of neutral oil, and a pinch of salt to create a smooth, luscious sesame paste that’s leagues ahead of store-bought options. With just 15 minutes from start to finish, you’ll master the art of toasting sesame seeds to release their rich, aromatic essence, then blending them into a velvety spread that’s ideal for hummus, dressings, sauces, or simply drizzling over roasted vegetables. Easy to prepare, naturally vegan, and endlessly customizable, this homemade tahina recipe is the perfect pantry essential for those seeking fresh, wholesome, and flavorful ingredients. Keep a jar of this creamy delight on hand for up to a month—if it lasts that long!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 200 grams Sesame seeds
- 3 tablespoons Neutral oil (e.g., grapeseed or light olive oil)
- 0.25 teaspoons Salt
Instructions
Begin by toasting the sesame seeds. Heat a large, dry skillet over medium heat and add the sesame seeds in a single layer. Stir frequently to prevent burning and toast them until they are golden and smell fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Be careful as sesame seeds can burn easily.
Once toasted, remove the sesame seeds from the pan immediately and allow them to cool completely. This helps avoid over-roasting and maintains their rich, nutty flavor.
Once the sesame seeds have cooled, transfer them to a high-speed blender or food processor.
Blend the sesame seeds for about 60-90 seconds until they form a crumbly consistency.
Add the neutral oil, one tablespoon at a time, and continue blending until the mixture turns into a smooth, creamy paste. This may take another 2-4 minutes depending on the power of your blender or food processor. Scrape down the sides of the blender or processor bowl as needed.
Once the tahina is smooth, add the salt and pulse a few more times to combine.
Transfer the tahina to an airtight jar or container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1622 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 164.4 g | 211% | |
| Saturated Fat | 24.1 g | 120% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 51.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 579 mg | 25% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 23.3 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.1 g | 83% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.0 g | ||
| Protein | 40.9 g | 82% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 120 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 12.6 mg | 70% | |
| Potassium | 740 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
