What can I substitute for tahini?
Running low on tahini? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.
About tahini
Tahini is a smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds, widely used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. It has a rich, nutty, slightly bitter flavour and a creamy consistency that makes it versatile in both savoury and sweet applications. It serves as a key ingredient in hummus, dressings, sauces, and baked goods, providing depth of flavour and a silky texture.
Best substitute
sunflower seed butter
Sunflower seed butter has a similarly thick, creamy consistency and a mild, nutty flavour that closely mimics tahini in most recipes. It works well in dressings, dips, and baked goods without overpowering other flavours.
Use 1 tablespoon for every 1 tablespoon of tahini
dressingsdipsbakingsaucesNot suitable for: authentic Middle Eastern flavour
Alternative
cashew butter
Cashew butter provides a creamy texture and mild, slightly sweet nuttiness that substitutes well for tahini in dressings and dips. It lacks the distinctive sesame bitterness but blends smoothly into sauces and hummus.
Use 1 tablespoon for every 1 tablespoon of tahini
dressingsdipsbakingsmoothiesNot suitable for: sesame-forward dishes
Alternative
almond butter
Almond butter offers a rich, nutty flavour and smooth consistency that works as a tahini replacement in dressings, sauces, and baked goods. Its flavour is more pronounced than tahini, so use a slightly smaller amount if the nuttiness becomes overpowering.
What is tahini called in other countries?
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | tahini |
| New Zealand | tahini |
| United Kingdom | tahini |
| United States | tahini |
Common names for tahini
sesame pastesesame seed pastetahinatehina