The BEST Easy Tahini Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What happens when you add water to tahini? ›

As the amount of water is increased, more clumps develop, causing the tahini to thicken overall. If you keep adding water, eventually you'll cross over the threshold of thickening it; enough water in the system will cause the tahini to loosen and thin out. This is similar to what happens when chocolate seizes.

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.

“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.”

Tahini Paste: Add the tahini, lemon juice, salt, and any additional add-ins to a medium bowl. Whisk together; the tahini will become very thick and lighter in color.

Soom Tahini can last for a year after opening. The only thing that will make tahini “turn” is contamination with moisture. That's why we always stress using a clean, dry utensil when scooping that liquid gold from the jar.

If your tahini is dry, or if you prefer a thinner sauce, add more water, as needed, to reach your desired consistency. Then, taste and adjust your seasonings. If you prefer a brighter sauce, add more lemon. If it is too bitter, stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey.

Store-bought tahini can either live in a cool dark place or in the fridge (we prefer the pantry, as the fridge can change the consistency of your tahini, making it less silky smooth). If you've mixed your tahini with other ingredients to make a sauce, always keep it in the fridge and use it within 5 days.

Is Tahini healthier than peanut butter? They're about the same. Tahini is a little less calorie-dense than peanut butter. But that doesn't mean it's healthier, just that you can eat a little more of it.

Tahini also has selenium. It acts as an antioxidant and helps lower inflammation in the body. Studies show sesamol, a natural chemical found in sesame seeds and sesame oil, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging benefits. Other studies suggest it also has strong anti-cancer effects.

Or you can also freeze tahini for 3-4 months, which is a great way to extend its shelf life. To freeze tahini, be sure to first give the tahini a thorough stir. Then transfer it to an airtight jar or container, leaving some headspace as the tahini may expand slightly as it freezes.

Is it OK to use expired tahini? ›

Proceed at your own risk (I'd eat it). Tahini is sesame seed paste, which means it's mostly an oil emulsion. That much oil, without other preserving intervention, will harbor bacteria and oxidize. If it isn't giving off any funky flavors or odors, it might be fine.

Tahini is a tasty way to add powerful antioxidants and healthy fats to your diet, as well as several vitamins and minerals. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and its health benefits may include reducing risk factors for heart disease and protecting brain health.

Tahini sometimes seizes (or becomes clumpy) when a small amount of juice (or any water-containing liquid) is added, as a portion of each carbohydrate molecule is drawn to the water. As a result, clumps of carbohydrates appear. If you keep adding water, eventually you'll cross over the threshold of thickening.

Because tahini is made purely from sesame seeds, which have a high oil content, even the highest quality brands will separate over time.

According to the scientific journal Nutrition Research, consuming 40 grams of tahini a day helps to reduce the average total and LDL (“bad cholesterol”) by 6.4% and 9.5% after 4 weeks, respectively. The good fats in tahini limit the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Whisk cold water into the tahini to loosen it.

Stir really well as you add water. The water will cause the tahini to clump together at first, but these clumps will disappear as you add more water. Continue to add spoonfuls of water until the tahini is as thin as you want it.

If your food processor isn't very powerful, you may need to blend it for an extra 5 minutes or add a bit of oil to help the process along. If the mixture heats up, let it rest to cool so as to not damage your food processor.

Tahini sauce is one of our go-to toppings for a variety of savory dishes. It's made from tahini, a dense paste made from crushed sesame seeds. Tahini sauce is a mixture of tahini paste, lemon juice, garlic, and water. This traditional sauce is served in Israel and in Arab countries throughout the Middle East.