Tahini (or tahina, as it’s sometimes known), is a ground “butter” or paste made from sesame seeds. While it’s traditionally found as a staple condiment in Middle Eastern cuisines, tahini has so many versatile uses. From cookies to salads, tahini can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, and makes the perfect addition to both!
If you’ve had a jar of tahini sitting in the back of your pantry (or perhaps you just made a fresh batch of homemade tahini) then grab your notebook, because this post is for you! In this post, I’ll be sharing 7+ Genius Ways to Use Tahini. From sweet dishes to more savory ones, these are just a few of my favorite ways to use this magical ingredient!
My Favorite Tahini to Use
Like a nut butter, tahini can come in a variety of different textures. From thicker ones, to more liquidy ones, the consistency of your tahini is important, to ensure that you maintain optimal results.
While I will always recommend making tahini from scratch (it only takes a few minutes), you can absolutely use store-bought tahini as well! I recommend always opting for a tahini that is more on the liquidy side, so that it’s easier to work with.
My favorite store-bought tahini is from Soom Foods. It has been my go-to for a few years now, and truly has the best texture! I’ve used it in almost all of my tahini recipes, and it hasn’t failed me yet. Other comparable options, however, are the Sprouts brand and 365 by Whole Foods brand tahinis.
Make it Into Salad Dressing
Did you know that tahini can play a key role in making the perfect, creamy salad dressing? It’s true! My Spicy Tahini Ranch Dressing is the perfect example of this. Not only is it dairy-free, but it is just like the creamy ranch dressing that you know and love… but with a kick, of course.
I love to pour this dressing over salads, or eat it with sliced veggies. Plus, the tahini gives it the perfect amount of saltiness and tang!
Bake it Into Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
If I had to pick a favorite recipe on my blog, it would hands-down be my Life Changing Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies. In fact, they are my most popular recipe, and for a good reason. The saltiness of the tahini, paired with the richness of the dark chocolate, makes for a cookie that’s like the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie’s cooler, younger cousin.
Plus, since tahini is naturally nut-free, it’s the perfect way to experience that sweet-and-salty flavor combination, sans the nuts!
Add a Kick to Asian-Inspired Noodle Recipes
If you love the taste of peanut sauce, then you will absolutely love this recipe! Because tahini is thick and creamy it pairs wonderfully with a little spice and Asian-inspired flavors. This recipe happens to be completely vegan-friendly too, and is loaded with fresh vegetables and perfectly crispy tofu.
Add it to Your Morning Smoothies
If you love nut butter in your smoothies, then you have to try adding tahini to your smoothies! It adds the perfect, salty, creamy taste, as well as that thick smoothie texture that you know and love. This Tahini Date Coffee Smoothie is one of my favorite breakfast smoothies in-particular, because it’s full of healthy fats from the tahini, and a caffeinated kick from the coffee!
Make a Loaf of Sweet & Salty Banana Bread
If you love banana bread, then you have to try adding some tahini to your banana bread recipe. More specifically, you have to make my sesame tahini banana bread! Between the sesame seeds and the tahini itself, this banana bread is rich in the sesame flavor, which tastes delicious with the sweetness of the bananas.
This is a banana bread recipe that tends to lean more on the savory side, but still has that sweet and subtle banana flavor. I love this recipe as a snack, or even as a breakfast treat!
Stir it Into Your Morning Coffee
Have you ever thought about putting tahini in your morning coffee? If you haven’t yet, then let me be the first to tell you just how delicious it is! My Tahini Chocolate Chip Latte recipe will make you feel like your own barista, while giving you a cup of coffee that is packed with nutrients.
If you’re someone who loves to go to Starbucks every morning and try new coffee creations, then you need to try this tahini latte!
Make a Creamy, Savory Pasta Salad
It’s summertime, which means that it’s time for all of the vibrant pasta salad recipes to make their way into your repertoire! Because tahini is so creamy, it makes for the perfect, healthy addition to any pasta salad recipe. Think of it as a healthier, protein-packed replacement for mayonnaise!
Plus, since tahini is naturally dairy-free, it means that this recipe is automatically vegan-friendly. For my vegan friends, you have to use tahini in your pasta salad recipes!
Meal-Prep Your Favorite Morning Granola
Granola for breakfast is an absolute staple, so why not shake things up and make your own? Specially, why now add in some tahini to your granola, to give it that perfectly salty-yet-balanced flavor? When it comes to granola recipes this is hands-down one of my favorites, as it combines tahini with dark chocolate chunks and nuts. Yum!
Oh, and did I mention that this recipe is paleo-friendly? It’s true! Because tahini is simply made from ground sesame seeds, it is paleo-friendly by nature. What’s better than that?!
If you decide to make any of these recipes, please be sure to leave a comment and rating below! And since I practically live on Instagram, be sure to tag me in your creations so I can see them and repost on my IG stories! Enjoy! xx
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