Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (2024)

Two years ago, Chef Refika Birgül shared her Hummus recipe through her YouTube account Refikar’s Kitchen.

It was so popular that she gained 2.8M views.

Many people wanted to recreate her mouthwatering recipe, but there was one problem.

One of the ingredients of her famous Hummus is ‘tahini’ and it baffled people. Where do you buy tahini? Do you make it at home?

Chef Refika posted another viral video.

There, she addressed the many comments she received about tahini. From the meaning, ingredients, how to do it, and the many other uses of this condiment.

Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (1)

Tahini is a famous middle eastern condiment that is made from hulled sesame seeds. There are many uses of Tahini.

You could serve it as a dip, an ingredient for hummus, a dessert, and even a spread.

Here’s how Chef Refika Birgül makes her famous Tahini.

First, you will need:

Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (2)
  • 150 grams or 1 cup of raw sesame seeds
  • 3 tablespoons hazelnut oil

*You can also use other oils such as grapeseed oil or sunflower oil. Though Chef Refika discourages the use of olive oil as it makes it denser.

Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (3)

To make Tahini:

Step 1. Use a large steel pan (preferably) and warm your sesame seeds. Don’t roast them because they will become really bitter.

If you can avoid using coated pans, that would be better. We want to warm them just enough for the sesame seeds to start releasing their oils.

Step 2. Place your warm sesame seeds in your food processor and pulse for about a minute.

Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (4)

Step 3. Add three tablespoons of hazelnut oil. Then work it for another three minutes in the food processor.

Don’t get nervous about the texture.

It’s normal for your tahini to be sand-like at first. Just continue until the oil comes out, and it becomes smooth.

Chef Refika also said that at first, the tahini has a bitter aftertaste since it’s still warm. This aftertaste will change after it cools down.

Now that you know how easy it is to make Tahini, Chef Refika shares other recipes for your tahini.

Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (5)

Tahini & Molasses

You’ll fall in love with Tahini and molasses with their sweet and creamy taste.

You can spread it on bread or pour some milk and shake it for a breakfast drink that you’ll love.

  • 1 tablespoon of your home-made tahini
  • 1 tablespoon molasses

Mix 1 tablespoon of your homemade tahini and grape molasses in a bowl until you achieve the consistency that you want.

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Tahini and Cocoa Spread

If you love Nutella, you’ll love this one too. It’s creamy, chocolatey, and healthy, too!

  • 1 tablespoon of your home-made tahini
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon cacao

In a small bowl, mix all three ingredients and that’s it. Get warm bread or toast and spread.

Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (7)

Hibeş Recipe

If you love to try out different dishes, then you’ll fall in love with Hibeş. This is a famous sauce for your kebab and it could also replace your cheese dip.

  • 1 cup of your home-made tahini
  • 2 lemons
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ cup of water
  • 2 cloves of garlic

Squeeze two lemons and mix them into a cup of tahini, and then add 1 teaspoon cumin and 1 teaspoon paprika.

Add 2 cloves of pureed garlic and top with cumin, paprika, and fresh parsley leaves.

Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (8)

Tahini Salad Dressing

Love salad? Then this Homemade Tahini Salad Dressing is the one for you.

  • 2 tablespoons of your home-made tahini
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons yogurt
  • 1 lemon juice
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Just mix 2 tablespoons of tahini, 1 lemon juice, 5 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 tablespoons yogurt in a jar or glass. Then, just add salt and pepper and mix or shake.

Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (9)

Green Tahini Recipe

Love cheese but do you want a cheaper and healthier alternative? Then the green tahini is for you.

  • 70 grams of your homemade tahini
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ lemon juice
  • 1 batch of coriander
  • 100 ml water
  • 2 cloves of garlic

First, add 1 batch of coriander, 100 ml of water, and 2 cloves of garlic into a food processor.

Pulse until pureed, and then add 70 grams of tahini, salt, and the juice of a half lemon. Pulse again until combined.

Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (10)

Who would have thought that tahini is so easy to make? Plus, you are able to use it as dips, dressing, and ingredients for your hummus.

Watch the full tutorial for these delicious recipes in the video below!

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Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (13)

By Ma Fatima Garcia

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Ma Fatima Garcia is a contributor at SBLY Media.

Woman shares recipe for homemade tahini and all the ways it can be used that aren't hummus (2024)

FAQs

What does tahini taste like? ›

How Does Tahini Taste? Tahini has a very earthy flavor and is slightly bitter, but not overpowering. Although the spread resembles peanut butter and other nut butters, it does not have a similarly sweet flavor profile. The toasted sesame seed flavor shines through in this creamy, rich ingredient.

What can I use instead of tahini in hummus? ›

If you feel adventurous, try replacing the tahini with an equal amount of peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, Greek yogurt, chopped roasted peppers, pitted olives, roasted beets, steamed sweet potato, avocado, or thawed frozen peas, to name just a few possibilities.

Can you use peanut butter instead of tahini? ›

Peanut butter is often recommended as a substitute for tahini, but cashew butter may yield better results. It is a more neutral nut butter and is often used as a base for plant-based dips, sauces, and salad dressings much like tahini. For those with sesame allergies, cashew butter is a seed-free alternative.

Should you refrigerate tahini? ›

Do you need to refrigerate tahini? We recommend storing your tahini in a cool and dry area, away from heat and moisture. Ideally, a pantry a cabinet would be ideal. Like peanut butter, you can also store tahini in the refrigerator if you like it thicker.

What do you use tahini for? ›

Tahini can be used as a marinade or sauce for grilled meats and vegetables, adding depth of flavor to the dish. Baked goods. Tahini can be used in baked goods like cookies, cakes, and bread, adding a rich and nutty flavor to the recipe.

What happens if you put too much tahini in hummus? ›

As I said earlier, tahini has a mildly bitter flavour, so if your hummus is bitter, you've most likely added too much tahini. Also make sure that the tahini you do have is hulled, as opposed to unhulled. Hulled tahini just means that the bitter husks on the outside of the sesame seed have been removed before blending.

Does tahini go bad? ›

Maybe you've found an old jar of tahini at the back of your pantry, dusted it off, given it a sniff and are wondering whether it's safe to use. Does tahini go bad? The simple answer is yes. Tahini does go bad.

How long does tahini last? ›

But if you're making tahini sauce, that's another matter. “Once the tahini is mixed with water, you're supposed to refrigerate it,” Zitelman says, “but it doesn't last for more than five to seven days in the fridge.”

Is Tajin the same as tahini? ›

Though its name sounds similar to the Middle Eastern condiment tahini, Tajín has little in common with the sesame paste, and in fact was named after an archeological site where its founder learned the Nahuatl word for chile, Aji.

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.

Is it cheaper to make your own tahini? ›

Making your own tahini at home is not only easy, it's cost effective and super delicious! This recipe requires just 2 ingredients, 20 minutes, and a food processor to prepare!

Which is healthier peanut butter or tahini? ›

Tahini is lower in carbohydrates and sugars compared to peanut butter, making it a viable option for those following a low-carb or low-sugar diet. On the other hand, peanut butter contains a slightly higher amount of carbohydrates and sugars due to the natural sugars present in peanuts.

What does tahini replace in baking? ›

Substitute butter with tahini in cookies

No more last-minute grocery runs when you're rushing to make cookies for a bake sale. Use tahini instead of butter in chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal raisin cookies. Replace every ½ cup of butter with a ½ cup of tahini and 1 tablespoon of water.

What is a cheaper alternative to tahini? ›

The 10 Absolute Best Substitutes For Tahini
  • Cashew or almond butter. Nelli Syrotynska/Shutterstock. ...
  • Sunflower seed butter. TatyanaMago/Shutterstock. ...
  • Sesame oil. masa44/Shutterstock. ...
  • Sesame seeds. ELAKSHI CREATIVE BUSINESS/Shutterstock. ...
  • Pumpkin seed butter. Melica/Shutterstock. ...
  • Peanut butter. ...
  • Greek yogurt. ...
  • Chinese sesame paste.
Nov 6, 2022

Is tahini an acquired taste? ›

I love hummus and I love anything with sesame seeds but I can't believe how bad this was. Tahini is awful, I only use it in recipes now such as veggie bean burgers etc. Yes it does take a bit of getting used to! The bitterness is normal, some are worse than others.

How would you describe tahini? ›

Tahini, sometimes called tahina, is a ground sesame butter or paste that's traditionally used in Middle Eastern cuisine. It takes a starring turn in dips such as hummus and baba ghanoush, gets drizzled on falafel sandwiches, or is made into tarator, a tahini-lemon-garlic sauce to accompany fish, vegetables or shawarma.

Is tahini heavy on the stomach? ›

Eating too much tahini can easily cause indigestion. If the intake of oil and protein is too much, they will accumulate in the stomach and intestines, which will increase the burden on the digestive system, especially for people with poor digestive functions.

What does tahini taste like compared to peanut butter? ›

No, tahini and peanut butter have distinct flavor profiles. Tahini has a nutty and slightly bitter taste, while peanut butter is sweet and nutty. Why is tahini so healthy? Tahini is considered healthy because it's a good source of healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals.

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