Tahini Recipe
162 Comments
May 17, 2024
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It’s super easy to make homemade tahini! All you need are sesame seeds and a little olive oil for a tahini that’s fresh, creamy, and smooth. Turn this into a sauce or dressing, blend it into hummus, or mix it into cookies – there’s so much you can do with it!
What Is Tahini?
Tahini is simply toasted and ground sesame seeds that’s turned into a paste or seed butter. That’s it! It’s a staple ingredient in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culture and is frequently used to make hummus or tahini sauce, which is then served alongside other dishes like falafel, pita, shish kabobs or baba ganoush.
I enjoyed my fair share of it when I lived in the Middle East and now love it as a flavor enhancer because it makes everything taste delicious. It’s also really easy to make with a high-powered blender. And you guys know my philosophy, fresh is best – so there’s no need to purchase it from the store again!
Tahini Ingredients
You only need two ingredients – raw sesame seeds and a little olive oil. This makes it naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
- Sesame Seeds: Make sure to use hulled sesame seeds for a smoother texture that tastes less bitter.
- Olive Oil: Use a high-quality oil such as olive oil or avocado oil. The moisture from the oil ensures that your high-powered blender isn’t overworked. Commercial blenders on the other hand are much stronger, so they can omit the oil.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
Blending Tips
- Gently toast the sesame seeds. Sesame seeds will burn quite quickly, so make sure to keep an eye on them on the stove. You only want them to turn slightly golden to help release their natural oils.
- Use a high-powered blender. I love my Vitamix blender and it works great. Just remember to use the tamper to help push the seeds down into the blades. For a Ninja blender, readers have said this blender works just fine, but you might need a bit more oil as you’re blending.
- Avoid using a food processor. While food processors are a great tool for blending, they’re not as powerful as blenders, so they can’t deliver the creaminess (without double or triple the oil) that makes for the best tahini.
How To Store Tahini
This recipe calls for 4 cups of sesame seeds, which may sound like a lot. But remember that once it’s blended, that’s only about 2 cups of tahini.
Homemade tahini will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a month, but you could also freeze leftovers. Just do what I do for fresh herbs and compound butter – freeze it in an ice cube tray and pop out a cube when needed.
Ways To Use Tahini
- Make a tahini dressing. This lemon tahini dressing is my go-to for salads and drizzling on roasted vegetables. But I’ve also got a maple mustard tahini dressing and roasted red pepper tahini sauce that are equally delicious.
- Use it for baked cookies. Tahini is a great option for adding a nutty flavor to cookies, like these chocolate chip tahini cookies!
More Easy Sauce Recipes
I can’t wait for you to try this homemade tahini recipe! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turns out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.
Tahini Recipe (Super Easy and Creamy!)
Description
Video
Equipment
- Vitamix Blender My favorite high-powered blender for the smoothest texture.
- Le Parfait Glass Jars Great canning jars for storage!
Ingredients
- 4 cups hulled sesame seeds
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Toast the sesame seeds. Gently toast the sesame seeds (stirring constantly) on medium-low for 5 minutes, or until slightly golden. Then, let them cool to room temperature.
- Blend. Once the sesame seeds have cooled, add them to your high-powered blender. Blend on high for one minute, using the tamper to push the seeds into the blades, creating a tahini paste.
- Add oil. Add the olive oil and blend for another minute to create a creamy consistency.
Lisa’s Tips
- The recipe makes approximately 2 cups of tahini.
- If your Vitamix heats up strongly during the first mix, just turn down the blending a notch, pause, and re-blend as you go!
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Recipe originally posted October 2017, but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!
LOOKS EASY TO MAKE! WHEN HUBBY COMES HOME WE ATE GOING TO THE STORE TO BUY THE SESAME SEEDS!
Let me know how it turns out!
Have hoped to make my own soon . Thanks
Hope you enjoy this recipe Thoko!
Not sure what (if anything) I did wrong. My tahini is NOT as liquid as yours. I used brown sesame seeds, toasted them. But, I had only 3 cups, so that might have made a difference in how the blender blades worked. Also had to add more oil and water. The only other thing I can think of is that I think they might have been too warm when I added them to the blender. Next time I think I would toast them the night before and let them get quite cool before blending.
Hi Sandy – you do need 4 cups of sesame seeds for this recipe. Blenders require a minimum amount of ingredients to work properly. If there’s not enough “stuff” to push into the blades with the tamper, they won’t turn liquidy as there’s not enough friction.
Mine didn’t work 😭 It turn out like a thick paste I really didn’t know what to do so I ended up throwing it away 😩
Hi Patty – it sounds like you just needed to blend it a little bit longer. It will go from seeds, to paste, to then a thinner nut butter consistency.
This is a first time for me…can I use white premium roasted sesame seeds and then skip step one?
Hi Bernadette – unfortunately, no. You need to roast them as it heats up the seed’s natural oils which allows them to be blended into a liquid tahini.
Oh wow thank you so much for sharing this steps
I hope you enjoy!
I make Hummus A LOT (Downshift recipe when in a hurry).
This Tahini recipe is wonderful (never would have thought to make my own Tahini) … I’m using it in nearly everything that needs a bit of oil (like dressings) not just in hummus. I don’t like adding oils (fats) to anything so only use half of amounts in recipes and still the fresh Tahini finishes off the Hummus to perfection (better than my favorite brand).
Thanx
So glad you love this tahini recipe!
I don’t have a Vitamix could this work ok in my Bullet blender ?
Hi Rebecca – it really depends on how powerful your motor is. I’m sure it could work, but it might not be quite a smooth without a high-powered blender.
Hi there,
I was hoping to make the tahini today. I do have a basic Vitamix. Do I use the dry or wet blender?
Hi Rhonda – I use the wet blender for all my recipes.
Made it…super easy and delicious. Thank you.
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed this recipe :)
I love your recipes and this is one is also simple and wonderful like the rest of them. We make tahini paste regularly as we use as a dressing for our daily plate of lettuce.
Hugs from Croatia!
Hi Marijana! Happy to hear you’ve enjoyed this recipe :)
What if you do not have a vitamix blender?
Hi Donna – you could make this in a food processor as well, it will just take a bit longer.
Hey!
Is it possible to half the recipe?
Thank you for your delicious recipes
Where do u purchase your sesame seeds?
Hi Elle- I normally purchase mine from Whole Foods, but you can get it from anywhere!
Can you use black sesame seeds for tahini?
Hi Steve – yes, you can!
Thank you for this inspiring recipe.
I like very much that you add the nutrition information…
Blessings from France
PatH
Hi Lisa,
It looks like you are using the classic style blender carafe. Can this be made in the 64 oz low profile container or should the qualities be changed using that style?
Thanks so much and love your recipes – especially the chicken salad – yum!
Hi Debbie – I’m using the 64oz low profile container here. :) Happy you love the chicken salad recipe as well!
Hi there, I’m Antoinette and I live in the Bahamas. I recently came across your channel on YouTube as I searched for smoothie recipes. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the meal prep ideas along with the healthy recipes shared. I’m getting into healthy eating and exercise and you have inspired me.
Hi Antoinette- Happy to hear you are loving everything here at Downshiftology and that I’ve been able to play a positive role in your life when it comes to healthy eating :) Hope you continue to enjoy all my recipes and tons more lifestyle tips I have in store.
Hello! Love your blog – sometimes I slim down your recipes – for example only had 1 cup of sesame seeds. I noticed when I use the Vitamix the portions doesn’t pair well with the blender. Do you recommend using a smaller blender cup? Thanks!
Hi Jennifer – Thanks so much! Yes, you really need a minimum amount of ingredients in the Vitamix to ensure it blends properly. You can use the smaller blending cups, but they’re not good for recipes in which the tamper is required, for proper blending.
looks good i have to try
Yum!
This came out great! I have a Vitamix blender but the machine made lots of weird noises and seemed to be struggling when there was nothing in it but sesame seeds. I added the oil so the blender would work better and it really helped, turning the seeds into a lovely smooth paste.
Hi Giselle – Happy to hear you loved this tahini recipe! Sometimes, you just need to add a bit of moisture from liquids to make sure your Vitamix isn’t overworking on just dry ingredients – so glad the oil helped!
Mine does not look like that it’s thick and wouldn’t get loose and I’m using my brand new vitamix
I love tahini and this might be my new favorite recipe for it!! Thank you so much for sharing, love it!
Hi Noelle – Wonderful! Thrilled to hear you’ve finally found a winning tahini recipe :)
I’m impressed with how creamy this is! Thanks for sharing, it’s very delicious!
Hi Whitney – Homemade Tahini is the best! Glad you enjoyed this one :)
Really good Thahini recipe. I love the nutty flavor. You can add it to almost anything!
Hi Krissy – It really is such a versatile recipe that can be used for many dishes to add extra flavor :)
I love Tahini and this is such an easy to follow recipe. My husband will love this for our salad dressings!
Hi Kari – This recipe is great for so many recipes, and salads are definitely one of them :)
This is indeed the simplest and yummiest tahini recipe, only two ingredients are needed.
Hi Anita – Homemade tahini is the best and so easy to make!
Hi! I tried making this in my vitamix, but the sesame seeds just became a powder (flour) instead of a paste. Do you know why and how I can fix it?
Thanks!
Hi Lee – did you reduce the quantity at all?
I LOVE all your recipes and style.
Simple-healthy-yummy and fresh.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA.
Hi Ted – Thanks so much!
Hi Lisa!
I just discovered you about a week ago looking for new recipes for a healthier lifestyle….and I think you are my new BFF!! :) I have watched almost every meal prep video on YouTube only to discover there are so many more videos!! AHHHHHH!!!! So, I want to make your hummus and tahini, but I do not have a Vitamix blender. I do have a Kitchen-aid food processor…do you think I can still have a good turn out?
I can’t wait to watch more videos and learn more about you and your recipes and new foods to try! Thank you for sharing with me and the world!
Hi Kacee – I’m so glad you discovered my channel and have been loving my videos and recipes! As for the hummus and tahini, you can try blending it in your food processor. It just might take a bit longer to blend all the way through!
Hi Lisa, could you just add toasted sesame seeds to the hummus as you make it?
Hi Debbie – Yes! You can go ahead and add, just not too much :)
Hi Lisa. I will definitely try this. Could you tell me what 4 cups of sesame seeds are in grams? The same goes for the Almond butter, I am experiencing it not being as easy as your videos shows and I believe it is because of me translating cups to the wrong amount of grams. Thanks for your great recipes :-)
Hi Bettina – if you click on the button that says “metric” right above the ingredients, it provides the conversion to grams for you. :)
Hi Lisa,
almost a year ago I got a Vitamix Pro 750. Yesterday I tried your Tahini recipe, but it did not really come out as expected – it is not creamy. I am afraid of burning my Vitamix, when using it on high speed for seeds or nuts. It works perfectly well for soups and green smoothis.
But trying to make Tahini – it was unbelievable loud and the engine did not sound good. The blades are spinning,although I am using the tamper. Besides this the sesame seeds are getting really hot. Please let me know what you
think about it. I would really like to use my Vitamix for your great recipes!!! Thank you.
Hi Catharina – Did you first toast the seeds as well as use the full amount of as stated in the recipe? If so, this amount shouldn’t be too harsh on your Vitamix when running on high and while you are tampering the seeds down. If you have further questions, let me know :)
Hi! Just tried your recipe and followed to the T. However, my tahini turned out way darker than yours and while it smells amazing, there is this bitter/tart taste in it. I fear I might have over-roasted the seeds a bit – could that be a reason?
I have made a hummus with it and again, there is this “off” bitter taste in it (while again, smells amazing!) Any advice? Should I throw it away and redo?
Hi Liliana – if it’s darker, you may have over-roasted it. Tahini is naturally a bit bitter, but it shouldn’t be distinguishable in the hummus. I’d redo it. :)
Thank you Lisa, you confirmed my suspicion, I’ll redo it and be extra careful to keep turning the seeds so they don’t over-roast!
Of course Liliana! Do let me know if you come across anymore problems :)
I am SO HAPPY to report that my second try it turned out exactly the same color as yours and tastes so good! I literally only roasted it for 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly. Can’t wait to redo your hummus recipe with it and try adding it to salads! Thank you Lisa!!
P.S. It did heat up pretty strongly during blending, there was even vapor coming out of my Vitamix after first minute (before I added olive oil and blended for another minute). Is it normal? I was using the tamper and constantly pushing the seeds towards blades. Maybe I should have done 30 seconds, then pause, open the lid readjust the mixture to be all pushed down and even, then blended for another 30 seconds?
Hi Liliana – So excited to hear that your tahini recipe came out perfectly! If your Vitamix was heating up strongly during the first mix, maybe just turn down the blending a notch or as you said, pause, and re-blend as you go!
Can’t wait for you to make the hummus recipe now!
Perfect! I only had a few tablespoons of sesame seeds, but I was able to adapt it. It was great! Very helpful. But I used too much oil so I couldn’t crush the seeds. I was going to use the tahini to make a peanut tahini sauce so when I added the peanut butter, it was thick enough to mix in the professional blender.
Great, I’m so happy you were able to adapt the recipe Karen! And that sounds like a delicious sauce with the peanuts as well.
My Tahini is not creamy, not white and incredibly bitter.
I used the vitamix, hulled roasted seeds, oil…
:(
Hi Simone – you can see that my tahini is not white either, it’s more of a beige color. Tahini is naturally fairly bitter, which is why it’s typically added to other ingredients as in my lemon tahini dressing or hummus recipe. If you haven’t yet made my hummus, you could always add it to that recipe to use it up. :)
Shoot
Posted on the wrong recipe ?
Was supposed to be on your hummus recipe
Will repost over there
Just tried this recipe. Added extra garlic ?
Spot on delicious- as always.
Didn’t know you could freeze this – so excited about that. Have a large family and lots of guest so this will be perfect to have on hand. Going to try the beet hummus next.
Look forward to making this recipe and many more.
Thanks, Linda! Enjoy and let me know how it turns out in the comments! :)
Hi Lisa, How long does this tahini last for in the fridge??
Hi Julie – it will last for a couple of weeks in the fridge. :)
Hi! My Vitamix is still in the box from Christmas. I want to make hummus for New Years and found your recipe and the tahini recipe. Do you use the wet or dry container for the tahini? I was curious since you startbout with no liquid at all and then add the oil at the end. Also, what size container?
Thanks so much!!
Hi Stacy – I use the wet container for pretty much all of my recipes. And I use the 64oz container, though you could use the 48oz container as well.
I only have unhulled sesame seeds. Do I still toast them?
Yes, you can still toast unhulled seeds.
Can can I use sunflower seeds to make tahini if I toast them?
Great recipe thanks Lisa!
Can you tell me what glass containers you use and where to find them? Thanks in advance:)
Hi Alicia – You can find all my storage containers in the Shop page on my website :)
Hi, I was wondering if you could half the recipe. I have a Vitamix but know that if I try to do too little in it, it is not effective. Thanks for the recipe, it’s been a while since I’ve made tahini, and will be the first time in a Vitamix.
Unfortunately, this likely won’t work in the Vitamix is you halve the recipe because like you mentioned, you need a minimum amount of ingredients for the blades to work properly. But you could always freeze half of it!
I made this with unhulled seseame seeds (I didn’t realize until I was already halfway through with the recipe that I got the wrong kind) and they wouldn’t blend even after extra oil and almost 3 minutes of blending. They started to smoke even though I was constantly using the tamper. Not sure what I did wrong or if it was just the type of seeds I got that caused this to happen….?
Unhulled sesame seeds have a different flavor to hulled sesame seeds, but they still should have blended into tahini. Did you toast them? And did you use a Vitamix?
Never mind, your blog states, this will last about a month in refrigerator. Thanks for posting this
You’re welcome Suzie! :)
How long will homemade tahini keep in refrigerator?
Oh cool! I use Tahini all the time but I’ve never tried to make it on my own!
It’s really so easy it will amaze you!
I’m amazed by how smooth your tahini is! So easy to make – looks utterly gorgeous.
There’s such a difference making it in a blender versus a food processor. Smooth as can be!
That tahini sure does look super creamy and delicious!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it!
So simple and so tasty – thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome! And so many different uses for tahini as well. :)
Why have I never tried making my own tahini before?? I LOVE this idea!!
Sues
I know – I can’t believe I never made it at home until recently as well. But once you do, you’ll never buy it from the store again! :)
Definitely can’t beat fresh!
Agree! And there’s so many delicious uses for it as well!