How to make the BEST tahini with just ONE ingredient and a food processor or blender! This sesame paste is creamy, rich, and way better than store-bought!
I’m no stranger to making nut and seed butter at home with minimal ingredients and a simple process. In terms of seeds, I’ve already shared how to make homemade sunflower seed butter, hemp seed butter, and pumpkin seed butter, but now it’s time to learn how to make tahini (aka sesame seed butter)!
This creamy condiment requires just ONE ingredient -with no added oils – and takes under 15 minutes to prepare from scratch. The resulting homemade tahini is creamy and flavorful (perfect for your next batch of homemade hummus) and works out as far more budget-friendly and delicious than store-bought versions and with fewer ingredients. Plus, you can store it for several months, yay!
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What Is Tahini?
First, what is tahini made of? It is simply a paste made from lightly toasted sesame seeds, also referred to as tahini butter, sesame butter, and sesame paste. It is a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.
It’s popularly known as a must-have ingredient for hummus, but this nutty-tasting, gluten-free, vegan sesame paste has far more uses than that.
In fact, as a Lebanese woman, my pantry would feel empty without a large jar of tahini (and some black sesame paste, too!) for mixing, dipping, spreading, and more! Unfortunately, store-bought options can be iffy, with flavor and quality varying massively between brands. Some are overly bitter, others lack flavor. But luckily, you can skip the hassle by picking up a bag of hulled sesame seeds and making this homemade tahini recipe at home!
How To Make Tahini?
All you need to prepare the homemade tahini recipe is your hulled white sesame seeds, a pinch of salt if you’d prefer, a wide skillet, and a high-speed food processor. Like other nut and seed butters, making homemade tahini primarily consists of grinding the seeds until smooth.
First, preheat a wide skillet over low heat, then add the sesame seeds. Cook them, stirring often, until fragrant and golden brown.
Then, transfer the sesame seeds to a high-speed food processor or blender. Blend the seeds into a creamy, smooth paste, pausing the machine to scrape down the sides of the jug as needed. During this process, it will first become a crumbly paste before eventually smoothing out in a creamy consistency.
The longer you leave the machine running, the smoother and runnier it will become. I blend mine for around 7-10 minutes, giving the machine a break halfway to avoid overheating.
If you want to add a pinch of salt, do so now, seasoning to taste. Then, transfer the homemade tahini to a sterilized jar and enjoy!
Ways to Use Tahini
The options are still plentiful when wondering how to use tahini outside of its popular inclusion in hummus and baba ghanoush. Here are just a few tahini uses to inspire your use of this creamy ingredient.
- Tahini is a classic ingredient in hummus recipes like traditional hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, and beet hummus.
- Add to other dips – like this vegan moutabal, baba ghanoush, etc.
- With falafels – like rainbow falafels (fried) or baked falafel.
- Spread over toast with date syrup.
- Drizzle over roasted cauliflower wings or use it as tahini seasoning.
- Use in or to drizzle over ice cream.
- Add to salad dressings and sauces.
- Mix into pasta sauces.
- Drizzled over a baked sweet potato.
- Use in cookies, brownies, and other baked or chocolate goods.
- Make tahini halva.
- Add to stuffed dates.
Tahini substitute options? If you find a recipe calling for tahini and need a quick substitute, I often recommend using sunflower seed butter or another nut or seed butter. Of course, the results won’t be the same, but they often work in a pinch!
How to Store Tahini
Thanks to this tahini recipe containing only one ingredient, the shelf life is pretty impressive. You can store the homemade tahini in a glass container in a cool, dark location (like a kitchen cupboard/pantry) for at least 1-2 months or in the refrigerator for longer.
Note that it’s natural for the oil to separate from the seed paste over time. Just stir it back in again before using it.
Does tahini need to be refrigerated?
No, you can store the homemade tahini at room temperature or in the fridge. While the latter will slightly extend the shelf life, the sesame paste will also somewhat thicken in the fridge and won’t be the runny texture needed for many recipes without first allowing it to warm slightly.
You can also freeze the tahini paste. I like to do so in tablespoon-sized portions in an ice cube tray for 4-6 months.
FAQs
Unsurprisingly, tahini tastes like toasted sesame seeds. Compared to other seed butters, tahini paste has a slightly bitter undertone. However, if it’s overly bitter, this is usually a sign of over-roasted or low-quality seeds.
As tahini is simply ground sesame seeds, it’s as good for you as they are … which is surprisingly a lot. Sesame seeds are loaded with heart-healthy fats, antioxidants, and anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They may even be beneficial to brain health and heart health, with positive effects on liver and kidney function.
Homemade tahini is a delicious addition to several types of dressings and sauces. For example, you might enjoy this simple lemon juice tahini sauce or this herb homemade tahini sauce.
Yes, just like any nut or seed butter, the oils in the seeds will eventually turn rancid, or the paste will “dry out.”
To look for signs of spoilage, inspect for any mold, give it a sniff (if the oils are rancid, it will have a chemical/paint-like smell), and give it a small taste (if it’s very sour, then it’s likely spoiled).
You may just need to leave it longer. After the first few minutes in the food processor/blender, you might be tempted to reach for a bottle of oil but give it at least 8-10 minutes (with breaks every 3-4 minutes, so the machine doesn’t overheat).
Then and only then, if the machine still seems to be struggling, then you can help it along with a small drizzle of neutral oil like vegetable oil, avocado oil, canola oil, light olive oil, sesame oil, etc.
More Seed and Nut Butters
If you try this homemade tahini recipe (sesame paste), I’d love to hear your thoughts/questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
One Ingredient Tahini in Minutes
Ingredients
- 18 oz sesame seeds hulled
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt optional
This will yield about 2 cups of tahini paste.
Suggested Equipment
- Blender/Food processor
Instructions
- Preheat a wide skillet over low heat, then add the sesame seeds. Cook them, stirring often, until fragrant and golden brown – about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the sesame seeds to a high-speed food processor or blender. Blend the seeds into a creamy, smooth paste, pausing the machine to scrape down the sides of the jug as needed. During this process, it will first become a crumbly paste before eventually smoothing out in a creamy consistency.The longer you leave the machine running, the smoother and runnier it will become. I blend mine for around 7-10 minutes, giving the machine a break halfway to avoid overheating.
- If you want to add a pinch of salt, do so now, seasoning to taste. Blitz to incorporate.Then, transfer the homemade tahini to a sterilized jar!
Video
Notes
- Money-saving tip: If you can, buy sesame seeds in bulk in Middle Eastern/Asian markets for the best price. Hulled sesame seeds (which are a light golden color) are the best for homemade tahini.
- Hulled vs. unhulled sesame seeds: I highly recommend using hulled sesame seeds when you make your own tahini. While it’s technically possible to use unhulled (and sprouted) sesame seeds, I find the resulting sesame paste is usually more bitter. It’s also harder to blend as smooth.
- Don’t burn the seeds: When toasting the seeds on the stovetop, always do so over low heat and stirring often. Burning the seeds can result in a bitter-tasting tahini paste.
- Use a high-powered food processor/blender: If your machine isn’t powerful enough, you may need extra oil to help the seeds blend into a smooth sesame paste.
- Have patience: Like any nut or seed butter, this process takes time. It may look like a failure for the first few minutes, but just keep blending (giving the machine breaks every few minutes). During the process, it will become a crumbly dough, form into a sticky ball, and eventually smooth out into a creamy, runny sauce-like consistency.
T
What brand and model of food processor are you using in this recipe? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a “high speed food processor”. Blender, yes. But not food processor. Thanks!
Support @ Alphafoodie
Hi,
You can use either. If you have a high-speed blender that will work great. I’ve used both in the past with excellent results. It’s important to give your machine a break so it doesn’t overheat.
Laurie
HI, I was gifted a large bag of mixed black and regular off white sesame seeds. Wondering if you’ve ever used the black seeds to make tahini? Obviously the color would be different but not sure if the taste would…. thanks!
Support @ Alphafoodie
Hi Laurie,
Yes, I’ve made black tahini as well – it’s the same process – https://www.alphafoodie.com/simple-two-ingredient-black-sesame-paste/
The taste is a little different – black sesame seeds are a little nuttier and more bitter than white sesame seeds.
Sarah
Hi Laurie
I am following an alkaline diet and I came across your recipe when looking for alternatives to butter. I am going to give your recipe a try either way, but I wanted to ask if this will substitute butter in sandwiches and how long you recommend blending for?
Thanks!
Support @ Alphafoodie
Hi Sarah,
Blend until you achieve your desired consistency. For very smooth, it can take 5-7 minutes or longer depending on your blender. Also, make sure to give the blender a break from time to time so it doesn’t overheat.
Tahini could possibly substitute butter in sandwiches but it’s a bit of an acquired taste – I hope you enjoy it. Maybe sun butter made with sunflower seeds (https://www.alphafoodie.com/homemade-sunflower-seed-butter/) or some sort of garlic sauce (like https://www.alphafoodie.com/lebanese-garlic-sauce/ or https://www.alphafoodie.com/traditional-garlic-aioli/) could work for sandwiches?
Melissa
Thank you for this recipe!!!! The store bought stuff is not very pleasant tasting. I am always out to produce fresh, clean food.
Support @ Alphafoodie
Thank you for your comment, Melissa. I hope you give this recipe a try.
Jan
Thanks so much. I’ve just gotten back into cooking now that I’m semi-retired and don’t have a food processor (yet) so, I turned the seeds into paste with my Ninja bullet and finished off to a creamy consistency with my Waring blender. I think it’s time to purchase my food processor but either way, this recipe and instructions are much appreciated!
Support @ Alphafoodie
Thank you so much for your comment, Jan. Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Oula
Wow I didn’t know it’s that simple! Thank you so much, can’t wait to make my own
Neha Dembla
Love the way you have drafted this!
Support @ Alphafoodie
Thank you for your comment, Neha.
Leonie
Oh wow. Didnt know that it was that simple. I love making my own butters. Thank you so much.
Support @ Alphafoodie
Thanks for your comment, Leonie. Hope you enjoy making your own nut or seed butters. There are plenty of recipes here on the blog 🙂
Na
Does tahini taste bitter? I tried it several times and they were bitter
Support @ Alphafoodie
Hi Na,
It is normal for tahini to taste slightly bitter, especially when compared to other seed or nut butters. If it tastes too bitter, it could be because the sesame seeds were over-roasted. When added to recipes, it should not have a pronounced bitter taste.
Klara Liposcak
Hi! I just tried this one and it came out super! It was my first time making seed butter (tried almond and hazelnut before) as I had some extra sesame seeds at home and really didn’t want to buy tahini :). It really is easy to make :). Going to use it as a spread and in hummus (gonna try out your recipe). Thank you, I love your work! <3
Support @ Alphafoodie
Thank you for your comment, Klara. Glad you enjoyed the tahini.
SHamaa
Thank you …. May God be pleased with you .. From which country were the machine made and the model number made .. My English language is poor. A million thanks
Support @ Alphafoodie
Hi,
For this recipe, the NutraMilk machine was used. However, you can use any food processor or blender to make tahini.
Alex Zangeneh Azam
Hello Samira, this was really fantastic, thank you! I must admit after a few minutes i didn’t think it would become smooth and creamy, but I left the bottle of olive oil alone and reflected on your suggestion of letting it blend on. It became so creamy by itself! The final product is so fragrant, creamy, and delicious. It reminded me of Halva, how much I used to love it, and how long it’s been. Now to try your Hummus recipe!
Support @ Alphafoodie
Thank you so much for your comment, Alex. So happy you tried and liked the recipe 🙂
Besami
How long can I store this? Does it need to stay in the refrigerator? Thank you very much!
Samira
Hi Besami,
Tahini has a long shelf life. It should last for at least 2-3 months. In case the oils separate over time (which is normal), just give it a stir before using it. I hope you enjoy your homemade tahini. 🙂