If a recipe calls for you to use tahini, you might be unsure of what it is.
Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds and it is very popular when used in vegan recipes.
However, some people dislike the taste and texture of tahini, so need to find suitable alternatives.
Tahini can also be difficult to find in the supermarket as it is a very popular product, so you might find that there is none available in the store.
If this is the case, you will need to explore substitutes to still be able to make your recipes.
This article will take you through 7 substitutes for tahini so that you can continue to make your delicious recipes if you cannot get your hand on a jar of tahini.
Find out more below to continue making great dishes!
Substitutes For Tahini
1. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is one of the best substitutes for tahini as it has a very similar taste.
Tahini has a very prominent nutty flavor, which is replicated perfectly in peanut butter.
Peanut butter also has a thick consistency that is great to use in both sweet and savory cooking.
You will not get the same sesame taste with peanut butter as you do with tahini, but you can mix it with sesame oil for an authentic substitute.
2. Greek Yogurt
Although Greek yogurt (see also ‘9 Substitutes For Greek Yogurt‘) does not have similar tastes to tahini, it can be used as a substitute as it has a thick consistency.
It is creamy, but it lacks the nutty flavor of tahini. However, this still makes it a good alternative and it can be used in lots of different recipes.
If you want to use Greek yogurt in hot dishes, you will need to be aware that there is a possibility that it could curdle.
It can be added afterward, but it will struggle to be cooked.
3. Sunflower Butter
Tahini is made from sesame seeds, so a very authentic substitute is sunflower butter as it is made from sunflower seeds, so it has a nutty taste that is very similar to tahini.
Sunflower butter tends to have a thicker consistency, but in regards to taste, it is extremely similar.
If you purchase sunflower butter from the store, you will want to check if there is added sugar as this can affect the taste.
It will not taste as similar to tahini if it is too sweet, so you can either make your own or find a brand with no added sugar.
4. Sesame Oil
Tahini is widely used to make sauces for salads, so if you are looking for a replacement, sesame oil can make a great substitute.
It is not as thick as tahini, but it has a very similar taste as it is also made from sesame seeds, so has the same flavors as tahini.
As sesame oil has a thinner consistency compared to tahini, you will not need much of it in recipes.
If a recipe asks for a certain amount of tahini and you are using sesame oil, you should halve it.
5. Almond Butter
Almond butter has a very strong and distinct nutty taste that makes it popular to use in baking.
It is very creamy and sweet, so it is ideal to use in dressings, desserts, and sauces.
It is the best substitute for sweet foods if you cannot use tahini.
It has a very similar consistency to tahini but is darker in color, so it is a great alternative.
You will experience a different kind of flavor, but it is still very popular to use as a tahini substitute.
6. Cashew Butter
Cashew butter has a milder taste compared to almond butter and peanut butter, so it is a good alternative to tahini as it replicates the flavor more authentically.
You can use it for dips, dressings, and sauces as it has a consistency that is similar to tahini.
If you have an allergy to sesame, cashew butter offers a safe alternative.
It can also be made at home using roasted cashews, but you need to make sure that you get the consistency right for it to thicken dishes the same as tahini.
7. Black Sesame Paste
Tahini is made from white sesame seeds, but black sesame seeds are made from black sesame seeds.
It has a powerful flavor that is incredibly prominent, so it works well as a tahini substitute if you are looking for a stronger flavor of sesame in your dishes.
As black sesame paste is dark, it can change the color of your food.
Due to this, it is popular to use in recipes like brownies or cookies as the food will still look appealing.
You can use black sesame paste for both sweet and savory recipes.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, there are several substitutes to use instead of tahini that work very well.
Tahini has a strong nutty flavor and a thick consistency, so finding alternatives that have the same flavor profiles is important for replicating the same tastes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do All Tahini Substitutes Contain Nuts?
Although many tahini alternatives try to replicate the same nutty flavor, they do not all contain nuts.
Is Sesame Oil A Good Substitute For Tahini?
Sesame oil is an excellent substitute for tahini. They are very similar as they both contain sesame seeds.
Are All Nut Butters Thick?
Not all nut butter has thick consistency as cashew butter is much thinner than peanut butter, so they vary.
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