There is no comparison-homemade tahini is ridiculously delicious. With just 3 ingredients and a quick spin in the food processor, you get a silky-smooth, nutty spread that is far better than any jar you can buy from the store.
This homemade tahini recipe is not only quick and easy, but also delivers bold, toasty flavor that elevates everything from hummus and baba ganoush to dressings, marinades, and more.
"I had no idea homemade tahini was this easy! The flavor is so much fresher than store-bought, and it's been amazing in my hummus and dressings all week."
★★★★★- Catalina
Rather than buying a jar of tahini at the store that you have no control over the quality or flavor, you can simply make it at home. Homemade tahini is cheaper than store bought and superior in flavor.
I personally only use tahini when I am making hummus, baba ganoush, or to spread on toast with honey. Therefore, it takes me a long time to use a bottle of store-bought tahini, and it begins loosing its freshness. You can make the exact amount of creamy tahini you need versus having a large jar in the refrigerator. If you use tahini more often than I do, you can make more.
I buy sesame seeds in bulk to keep on hand and use the extra seeds in breads and salads. You can find bulk sesame seeds online, bulk bins, or at International, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets.
In this post, I will walk you through on how to make tahini from scratch. I hope this post is helpful. Enjoy! Xoxo -Katie.
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Ingredient notes and substitutions
You will need the following basic ingredients to make tahini at home.
- sesame seeds- Look for hulled sesame seeds. Hulled sesame seeds have the outer shell removed. They create a smoother texture, are less bitter in flavor, and are easier to digest than the unhulled sesame seeds. However, unhulled sesame seeds are more nutrient dense and higher in fiber. If you choose the unhulled sesame seeds note that the texture will be more coarse.
- Neutral Oil- Choose a neutral oil with mild flavor such as avocado oil, grape seed oil, light olive oil, or vegetable oil. The olive oils that I enjoy at home have lots of flavor, so I personally use avocado oil to avoid overpowering the tahini flavor. Do not use sesame oil because it will over-power the flavor.
- salt-Salt is optional. However, it will enhance the nutty flavor.
*The ingredient measurements are located in the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
How to make homemade tahini
Follow these simple steps to make homemade tahini.
- Add sesame seeds to a dry sauté pan and cook over medium high heat. Lightly toast the seeds for 2-3 minutes stirring often and watching them the entire cooking process. You want them to turn a light golden color and fragrant. Once they achieve that color remove them immediately from the heat. You do not want them to turn a dark golden brown because they will become bitter in flavor.
- Add your toasted sesame seeds and a pinch of salt to a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix or a food processor. Blend seeds for 2 minutes or more until the seeds break up into a coarse paste.
- Slowly stream in the neutral oil, blending it with the ground sesame seeds continuously until a smooth paste forms. Start with 2 tablespoons. If it is still too thick, you can add another tablespoon. Once you reach your desired consistency, it is ready to use.
Watch how to make
How do you store tahini?
Store homemade tahini in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3-4 months. To tell if your tahini is still good, smell it. If it smells rancid, it is. If it smells normal, you should be good to go. You can also freeze tahini for later use.
The sesame seeds and oil will separate over time while storing. If it has separated, simply stir the tahini to the desired consistency before using.
If you add water to tahini, it should be refrigerated and used within 7 days.
Can you buy toasted sesame seeds?
You can buy and use pre-toasted sesame seeds and skip the toasting step.
Can you toast the sesame seeds in the oven?
You can toast the sesame seeds in the oven.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Evenly spread sesame seeds on a dry baking dish. Toast seeds 5-7 minutes watching them closely. Remove the sesame seeds from the oven immediately once they turn a light golden color.
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When you make this tahini, tell me what you think in the comment section! I would love to hear back! My readers will too.
Also post your picture of your tahini on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
How to Make Tahini at Home in Minutes (Easy Recipe)
Equipment
- 1 Blender or Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup hulled sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt optional
Instructions
- Add sesame seeds to a dry sauté pan and cook over medium high heat. Lightly toast the seeds for 2-3 minutes stirring often and watching them the entire cooking process. You want them to turn a light golden color and fragrant. Once they achieve that color remove them immediately from the heat. You do not want them to turn a dark golden brown because they will become bitter in flavor.1 cup hulled sesame seeds
- Add your toasted sesame seeds and a pinch of salt to a high powered blender such as a Vitamix or a food processor. Blend seeds for 2 minutes or more until the seeds break up into a coarse paste.¼ teaspoon salt
- Slowly stream in the neutral oil, blending continuously until a smooth paste forms. Start with 2 tablespoons. If it is still too thick, you can add another tablespoon. Once you reach your desired consistency, it is ready to use.2 tablespoons avocado oil
amy liu dong says
I love this recipe! This is super delicious and so easy to make!
Catalina says
I had no idea homemade tahini was this easy! The flavor is so much fresher than store-bought, and it’s been amazing in my hummus and dressings all week.
Maria says
This is such a great recipe. It's better than anything I've ever bought from the store.
Vaughn Burckard says
I was under the impression, if you toasted seeds over 115-120F, the benefit of the natural oils were destroyed. Any comment?
Katie Crenshaw says
Hi Vaughn! While toasting the sesame seeds may slightly reduce some of their nutrients, they are easier to digest, increasing the absorption of the nutrients. They also have a much better flavor.