🫙 Condiments · Condiment

Tahini

Creamy sesame paste, rich and bitter, with a hint of toasted hazelnut.

A smooth, creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds, with a slightly nutty and subtle taste. In Mediterranean cuisine, tahini adds creaminess and depth to sauces and dishes, serving as a base for hummus and many Middle Eastern and Levantine condiments.

Best pairings

Classic · the proven matchAroma bridge · a shared aroma links themContrast · opposites balance out

Chickpea Classic
Chickpea and tahini, the quintessential hummus.
92%
Eggplant Classic
Baba ganoush: the sesame in tahini elevates smoked eggplant.
89%
Red lentil Classic
Coral lentils offer sweetness and protein, a perfect complement to the nutty tahini.
86%
Lemon Classic
Tahini and lemon, the essential Levantine sauce.
85%
Cumin Classic
Cumin's earthy notes naturally extend tahini's flavors in Levantine preparations.
85%
Garlic Classic
Tahini and garlic in taratour sauce.
84%
Sesame seed Classic
Tahini is sesame reduced to a paste; an inseparable duo and a fundamental Levantine flavor.
84%
Sunflower seed Classic
Two oilseeds, same depth of toasted flavor, a common Levantine base.
84%
Pita bread Classic
Pita and tahini, a Levantine dip.
82%
Coriander seed Classic
Coriander brings a spicy freshness that lightens the creamy density of tahini.
82%

🔒 + 13 more pairings in the app
Plate builder, pantry, dishes: it's all in the app.

In the kitchen

Mixed in sauce with lemon and garlicAs a hummus base with chickpeasBlended in vinaigrettesAs a dipping sauce (baba ganoush)Whisked into a smooth sauce for meats or vegetables

Signature dishes

HummusMezze · Levant

Baba GhanoushMezze · Levant

Tarator SauceSauce · Levant

Tahini-Lemon Sauce

Substitutes

Sesame seed Almond Hazelnut

FAQ

What goes with tahini?

Tahini pairs especially well with chickpea, eggplant, red lentil, lemon and cumin. Chickpea and tahini, the quintessential hummus.

What can I substitute for tahini?

If you don't have it, try: sesame seed, almond, hazelnut.