Tahini is a delicious and nutrient-dense food that may be used as a foundation or a topping. However, it can be costly and difficult to obtain at times. That is why you should always have a tahini alternative on ready.
Tahini is best known as a distinctive component in hummus, but it is much more. Tahini has a nutty taste that complements sweets and sauces. It is a Middle Eastern staple that balances the tastes of numerous cuisines.
However, if tahini is not for you or you don’t have any on hand, one of the tahini substitutes listed below may suffice.
Contents
- What is Tahini?
- Substitutes for Tahini
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- What is the best substitute for tahini?
- What is a good substitute for tahini in hummus?
- Can I use sesame oil instead of tahini?
- Can I substitute sesame butter for tahini?
- What is the key ingredient in tahini?
- Does tahini taste like almond butter?
- How important is tahini in hummus?
- How do you thicken hummus without tahini?
- Does Sabra hummus have tahini?
- What is the flavor of tahini?
What is Tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from roasted sesame seeds and salt. While tahini is well-known for its flavor, it also has a creamy and silky texture.
Indeed, because of its texture, it is an essential component of salad dressings, marinades, sauces, and dips. With a nutty and somewhat sweet taste, it makes a tasty accompaniment to a variety of recipes.
Tahini is also highly valued for its nutritional properties. The inclusion of calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc is a major selling point.
Substitutes for Tahini
1. Peanut Butter
This is most certainly the greatest tahini alternative. It provides a smooth, paste-like texture that is akin to tahini. If you are allergic to nuts, though, peanut butter is not a choice.
Peanut butter has a distinct nutty taste. However, you can achieve a similar flavor by combining it with sesame oil. This spread alternative is delicious. It’s also great for desserts, breakfast bowls, and other dishes. In your recipe, replace half a cup of tahini with half a cup of peanut butter.
2. Cashew Butter
Cashew butter is somewhat more expensive, but its texture works well as a tahini alternative. Cashew butter has a similar nutty flavor to tahini but lacks its powerful and savory flavor. If you are allergic to nuts, you should avoid cashew butter.
However, cashew butter is a great substitute in dips, salad dressings, oatmeal, and smoothies. In baking recipes, replace tahini with a 1:1 ratio.
3. Greek Yogurt
This high-protein, nutrient-dense substance is a popular replacement among health-conscious people. The thick and creamy texture of Greek yogurt is similar to that of tahini. It also adds a somewhat acidic flavor to dips, sauces, and oven-baked meals.
However, use caution when preparing a dish over high heat because Greek yogurt curdles easily. Furthermore, substituting Greek yogurt for tahini will remove the nutty flavor. If a cup of tahini is called for in the recipe, substitute a cup of Greek yogurt.
4. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is an excellent choice for sauces and salad dressings. It has a similar taste to tahini since it is manufactured from the same major component (sesame seeds).
However, because it lacks the smooth, creamy texture of tahini, it will not work in baked recipes. However, the flavor is a significant advantage when it comes to adding a deliciously rich flavor to your salads. We recommend starting with a little amount of sesame oil and adjusting as required.
5. Sunflower Seed Butter
This replacement is an excellent choice for foods that need a strong tahini taste. It is the closest taste replacement to tahini and is made from sunflower seeds.
Remember that it has more fat and calories than tahini. Sunflower seed butter’s added sugar and sweetness may potentially affect the taste of your food.
It’s great for salad dressings, dips, and certain baked meals. 1 cup tahini may be replaced with 1 cup sunflower seed butter.
6. Almond Butter
Because of its texture, this is an excellent choice. The toasted almonds give it a creamy, silky tahini smoothness. This makes it ideal for cookies, sauces, and dips.
Tahini has a milder, more nutty taste than almond butter. As a result, it may be overbearing in certain situations. In addition, it is more expensive than tahini. However, the nutritional benefits make it worthwhile to try. You can substitute almond butter for tahini at a ratio of 1:1.
Conclusion
Whatever substitute you use, you may need to make some adjustments based on the recipe and your personal preferences. However, there are numerous alternatives. And the tahini substitutes described above will complement and improve your food.
FAQs
What is the best substitute for tahini?
Cashew or almond butter are the greatest tahini substitutes. These nut butters have a similar consistency to tahini and a mild taste. Some claim that peanut butter can be used as a substitute, but we prefer the more neutral flavor of cashew and almond butter.
What is a good substitute for tahini in hummus?
Replace the tahini with equal parts peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, Greek yogurt, chopped roasted peppers, pitted olives, roasted beets, cooked sweet potato, avocado, or thawed frozen peas, to mention a few options.
Can I use sesame oil instead of tahini?
If you’re missing tahini’s characteristic sesame taste, go for sesame oil. It won’t have the same consistency as a spread and won’t be a 1:1 substitution, but a little drizzle will deliver the sesame overtones you’re looking for.
Can I substitute sesame butter for tahini?
Simply combine some sesame oil with the seed butter, and the resulting paste will be a convincing tahini imposter in both texture and flavor. (Note: If you whip your sunflower seeds with canola oil, your sauce may not taste exactly like tahini but will have the similar texture.)
What is the key ingredient in tahini?
Tahini is produced from hulled sesame seeds, oil, and occasionally salt. To make a smooth, creamy seed butter with a pourable consistency, hulled sesame seeds are roasted, crushed, and emulsified with oil.
Does tahini taste like almond butter?
It’s helped us recall that tahini is a kind of nut butter that may be used similarly to almond butter or peanut butter. We believe it has a milder, more earthy flavor than other nut butters, which makes it a perfect option for a variety of savory meals.
How important is tahini in hummus?
Is tahini required for hummus? Sure thing! Tahini, along with chickpeas and olive oil, is one of the key components of hummus. That’s why our favorite dip is so rich and delicious—tahini provides smoothness to the texture of hummus, as well as a range of vitamins and minerals.
How do you thicken hummus without tahini?
Almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and just about any roasted nut, as well as chickpeas, may all contribute to the hummus’s thickness, resulting in not just the appropriate consistency but also a richer and creamier dip.
Does Sabra hummus have tahini?
Sabra Classic Hummus is a simple, tasty combination of chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans), garlic, and tahini, a creamy paste prepared from roasted ground sesame seeds and other seasonings.
What is the flavor of tahini?
Tahini has a distinct earthy taste that is somewhat bitter but not overwhelming. Although the spread is similar to peanut butter and other nut butters, it lacks the same sweet flavor profile. In this creamy, rich ingredient, the toasted sesame seed flavor shines through.