If you've never made tahini at home before, this homemade tahini recipe is the perfect place to start. The moment you taste it, you will notice the difference. Fresh tahini has a nutty flavor, a smoother texture, and a richer aroma than anything you will find at a grocery store.
And if this is your first time making tahini, you will love how easy this is! There will be a next time for sure when you restock your pantry.
Tahini is a staple ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine, and it is the main ingredient in classics like hummus, baba ganoush, and tahini sauce. It's basically a creamy sesame paste made from ground sesame seeds and a touch of natural oil. And the best part? Once you learn how to make your own tahini, you can customize it exactly the way you like.
Why you'll love this homemade Tahini
This is truly the best tahini because it's:
- A great way to use up sesame seeds and turn them into something delicious
- Fresh and flavorful with a natural, toasted, unique flavor
- More affordable than organic tahini
- Perfect for turning into a creamy sauce, tahini dressing, and more
- Completely customizable. You can control the texture, thickness, and bitterness
✅Bonus: Unlike store-bought tahini paste, homemade tahini doesn't sit on shelves for months. It tastes fresher, lighter, and more vibrant.
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Ingredients
Ingredients you'll need for Tahini
- Sesame Seeds - Tiny but mighty and the star of the show!
- Avocado Oil - Liquid gold that smooths everything out.
- Salt - Just a pinch - but makes everything pop.
Pro Tip: For the smoothest tahini, use hulled white sesame seeds. Unhulled sesame seeds work too, but they can add a slight bitterness and more rustic texture.
See recipe card for quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
How to make Tahini
Making tahini is simple. You are basically turning toasted sesame seeds into a silky smooth paste that behaves like natural peanut butter.
Steps for Tahini Prep
- Toast the Sesame Seeds in a skillet over medium-low heat. Toast your sesame seeds for 8-10 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon continuously until they're golden and fragrant.
- Cool completely. Let the seeds cool for at least 20 minutes.
Pro Tip: You must cool the seeds because blending warm seeds can release too much oil at once, making the tahini gummy instead of smooth.
Steps to Finish the Dish
- Blend into a Thick Paste - Add the toasted seeds to a food processor and blend for about 45 seconds to 1 minute until you have a thick, gritty paste (similar to almond butter or cashew butter before it turns creamy).
- Add Oil and Blend - Add 2 Tablespoons of avocado oil plus a pinch of salt. Blend again until the tahini becomes a creamy paste with a smooth texture.
Pro Tip: Tahini naturally thickens as it rests. If you prefer a thinner tahini for salad dressings and sauces, blend it slightly looser than you think you need.
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Equipment and Supplies
This recipe is easy to make with just the right tools!
- Misen Cookware - Perfect for evenly toasting sesame seeds without burning.
- Flat Wooden Spoon - Your best friend for constant stirring and golden toasting.
- Food Processor - Turns toasted seeds into creamy, homemade tahini magic.
- Silicone Spatula Set - Scrapes every last drop - because tahini is too good to waste.
Serving Ideas
Homemade tahini is incredibly versatile. It adds richness, creaminess, and a nutty flavor to so many dishes.
Different Ways to Use Tahini
- Make a tahini sauce, which is perfect for falafel and shawarma bowls.
- Stir into homemade hummus for an ultra-creamy texture
- Use as a base for salad dressings, which is great with cucumber, tomato, and herbs
- Drizzle on roasted vegetables for added flavor
- Spread on avocado toast with a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt
Substitutions And Additions
Possible ingredient Swaps
- Oil - Swap avocado oil with grapeseed oil, light olive oil, or sesame oil (sesame oil adds more intense flavor)
- Optional Additions or Flavor Boosters
- A tiny splash of toasted sesame oil for deeper flavor
- A pinch of garlic powder for easy savory tahini
- A squeeze of lemon juice, if using immediately as a sauce base
How to make Tahini sauce
Once you have made tahini, turning it into a tahini sauce is incredibly easy.
To make a simple creamy tahini sauce mix:
- Tahini paste
- Lemon juice
- Water
- Salt
- Garlic (optional)
This creates a tangy, silky, creamy sauce that's perfect over falafel, roasted veggies, or grain bowls.
More Appetizers
- Classic Pork Egg Rolls
- Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
- The Best Chicken Wings (Smoked + Air Fried for Crispy Skin)
- Smoked Cream Cheese
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerating Tahini:
- You can store your homemade tahini in a jar with a lid in the fridge for up to 1 month.
✅ Don't worry if the oil separates. That's completely normal. Just stir it back together, and it's ready to go.
Freezing Tahini:
- Tahini freezes well, too. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge overnight.
Video of Recipe
Recipe
Tahini
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Skillet
- Stove
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Sesame Seeds
- ½ teaspoon Salt to taste
- 6½ teaspoon Avocado Oil
Instructions
- Toast the Sesame Seeds in a skillet over medium-low heat. Toast your sesame seeds for 8-10 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon continuously until they're golden and fragrant.
- Cool completely. Let the seeds cool for at least 20 minutes.
- Blend into a Thick Paste - Add the toasted seeds to a food processor and blend for about 45 seconds to 1 minute until you have a thick, gritty paste (similar to almond butter or cashew butter before it turns creamy).
- Add Oil and Blend - Add 2 Tablespoons of avocado oil plus a pinch of salt. Blend again until the tahini becomes a creamy paste with a smooth texture.
Video
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Tahini contains about 90 calories per tablespoon, though the exact amount may vary slightly depending on the brand or recipe. Since tahini is made from ground sesame seeds, it's also a nutrient-dense ingredient packed with healthy fats, plant-based protein, and minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Usually, it requires either more blending time or a slight addition of oil. The other possibility is that the sesame seeds were not cool before blending.
Tahini can taste bitter for a few reasons. Your seeds could have been toasted for too long, or possibly your seeds were older or slightly stale. Toast over medium-low heat and stir constantly, because sesame seeds can go from golden to burnt fast.
That's completely normal, just like a natural peanut butter. Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds and natural oil, so separation happens as it sits. Just stir well before using.
Chef Tim Clowers says
I love what you can make with sesame seeds.