Quick Creamy Tahini

Featured in: Homemade Spreads for Any Occasion

Toast sesame seeds till lightly browned and nutty-smelling. Let them cool a bit, then blend with enough oil to make it smooth and velvety. Add salt to taste, and splash in a little water if needed to get the thickness just right. Ready in under 15 minutes, it’s perfect for spreads, dips, or straight-up eating.

A woman in a kitchen with a stove and oven.
Updated on Sun, 04 May 2025 15:35:48 GMT
A jar filled with creamy tahini, a wooden spoon inside, and toasted sesame seeds scattered nearby. Pin it
A jar filled with creamy tahini, a wooden spoon inside, and toasted sesame seeds scattered nearby. | cookingkitchn.com

Whip up homemade tahini in just 15 minutes. Ditch those expensive store options and whip up your own creamy, flavorful paste that's fresher and tastier. It's quick, easy, and much more affordable.

Benefits of Homemade Versions

Homemade tahini simply wins on flavor. When you brown the sesame seeds yourself, you'll get incredible nutty notes. It's super easy to make, cheaper than buying, and fits perfectly into vegan and gluten-free cooking. Throw it in your hummus, mix it in dressings, or add to sauces. You won't find any additives or preservatives - just pure, authentic flavor that makes store varieties seem bland.

Ingredients List

  • Hulled Sesame Seeds: Your base component. Hulled varieties create smoother tahini. You can try unhulled ones too but they'll give you a more bitter result.
  • Oil: Choose something neutral tasting - avocado, grape seed, or mild olive oil work great.
  • Salt: Add a tiny bit if you'd like. It's totally optional if you prefer without.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Toast Seeds:
Grab a dry, clean pan and warm it on medium-low. Add your sesame seeds in a single layer. Keep them moving gently - they'll burn fast! You'll spot they're done when they turn slightly golden and release a wonderful nutty aroma, typically in about 3-5 minutes. Your kitchen will smell amazing.
Blend Seeds:
Let the toasted seeds sit for a couple minutes to cool down, then dump them into your food processor. Run it for about a minute until they look grainy like sand. Don't stress if they aren't super fine yet, we're just getting going.
Add Oil:
Slowly pour in your first couple tablespoons of oil while the processor runs. Let everything mix for 2-3 minutes, stopping occasionally to push down what sticks to the sides with a spatula. Watch as it transforms from crumbly to smooth - it's pretty cool!
Check Texture:
Take a peek at your tahini. Need it thinner? Just add another tablespoon or two of oil and blend more. Everyone wants their tahini a bit different - make yours match how you'll use it. Keep sampling until it feels right.
Season:
Want some salt? Now's when to add it. Just a tiny pinch works - you can always put more in later. Give it one more quick spin to mix everything up.
Store:
Transfer your fresh tahini into a clean container with a good lid. It'll stay good in your fridge for about a month, and don't worry when it separates - that's completely normal. Just stir it up before you use it.

Surpassing Market Options

Forget buying pricey tahini at stores. Create it fresh at home in just minutes. You decide exactly what's in it, and the taste is so much better. You'll also save cash and effort - no more extra shopping trips.

Quality Seed Selection

Look for hulled sesame seeds to make your tahini extra smooth. Always brown them first - it brings out amazing nutty flavors. This step isn't optional, it totally transforms the final product.

Choosing Your Fats

Go with oils that don't have strong flavors - avocado or regular cooking oil work great. Start with 3-4 tablespoons to get that perfect, pourable consistency, just like what you'd buy ready-made.

Versatile Applications

Use tahini beyond hummus recipes. Add it to your salad dressings, spoon over falafel, or drizzle on baked veggies. Go sweet with it - add to cookie dough or top your favorite ice cream. You'll soon find yourself using it everywhere.

Storage Tips

Store your tahini in a container in the refrigerator. It lasts more than a month easily. Just mix it up before using since the parts might separate a little. Now you've always got fresh tahini waiting when you need it.

A small wooden bowl filled with creamy tahini, garnished with sesame seeds and accompanied by a wooden spoon, sits on a marble surface. Pin it
A small wooden bowl filled with creamy tahini, garnished with sesame seeds and accompanied by a wooden spoon, sits on a marble surface. | cookingkitchn.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of seeds should I pick?

White seeds are best for smoothness. Hulled ones make it extra creamy. Always toast them lightly, don’t overdo it. Fresh seeds taste best.

→ How can I make it thinner?

Drizzle in some oil or a bit of water while blending. Keep tasting and testing the texture. It’s easy to adjust on the go.

→ No food processor around?

A strong blender works just fine. It’ll take a little longer and need some patience, but it’ll get creamy eventually.

→ How long does it stay fresh?

Store it in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge for up to a month. Give it a stir before using, and keep an eye out for any signs of spoiling.

→ Why is it separating?

It’s normal for this to happen, just like nut butter. Stir it together each time before using and it’ll be good to go.

→ What if it’s not smooth enough?

Blend longer until it’s creamy. Add more oil if needed. Toast seeds properly and make sure the blender is strong and reliable.

→ How do I take it with me?

Pack it in a tight, spill-proof container. Keep it cold if possible, and stir it well when you’re at your destination.

→ Can I make it faster?

Toast the seeds quickly but carefully. Let them cool for just a moment before blending. You’ll have fresh tahini in no time.

→ What if I need more?

Double the ingredients and blend in batches if your machine’s small. Be mindful of toasting more seeds at once, and take your time blending.

→ Any tips for extra flavor?

Toast the seeds a bit darker, add a sprinkle of salt, or mix in a little garlic or chili for a spicy kick. Keep experimenting to find your favorite combo.

→ Why aren’t the seeds breaking down?

Make sure they’re toasted enough and use enough oil. Blend in smaller batches to get better results. Keep scraping down the sides.

→ What if it tastes bitter?

Toast the seeds less, as over-toasting can turn them bitter. Use fresh seeds and oil, and add a tiny pinch of honey or salt to balance the flavor.

Conclusion

Like this? Mix it with chickpeas for hummus. Or combine it with roasted eggplants for baba ganoush. Both go great with this fresh dip.

Quick Creamy Tahini

Fast and creamy tahini paste.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes
By: Sophia

Category: Simple Spreads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Yield: 1/2 Cup

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 A pinch of salt (only if you want).
02 1 cup (140g) of sesame seeds without the hull.
03 2 to 4 tablespoons of a mild oil like avocado, grape seed, vegetable, or light olive oil.

Instructions

Step 01

Toss sesame seeds into a wide saucepan (no oil needed) on low to medium heat. Stir all the time until they get a golden shade and smell aromatic, which takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they burn easily.

Step 02

Move the warm sesame seeds into a food processor. Let it run for around a minute until the seeds start forming a rough paste.

Step 03

Pour in 2 tablespoons of oil, then keep blending for 2 or 3 more minutes. Pause occasionally to scrape the processor’s sides and bottom so everything mixes evenly.

Step 04

Check the texture—it should be silky and easy to pour. Blend for one more minute if needed, adding 1 or 2 extra tablespoons of oil to loosen it up.

Step 05

Taste it. If you'd like, mix in a sprinkle of salt. Blend for an extra 5 to 10 seconds to combine.

Step 06

Put the tahini in a sealed container and keep it in the fridge, where it stays good for about a month.

Notes

  1. Keep tahini refrigerated in a sealed jar, and use it within a month.
  2. The oil might separate after chilling, just like natural peanut butter. Stir it to combine before using.
  3. You can use sprouted or black sesame seeds too. Just make sure they’re fully dried and toasted.
  4. Tahini from sesame seeds with their hulls tends to be more bitter and is grainier compared to the hulled kind.
  5. If blending gets tough, try a stronger processor or just increase the sesame seeds in your batch.
  6. You can use a strong blender for tahini too, but food processors produce the best texture overall.

Tools You'll Need

  • Food processor.
  • Saucepan.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Sesame.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 136
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 5 g
  • Protein: 3 g