Tahini is a mixture created by transforming sesame seeds into a paste through grinding.
It has a nutty flavor and is used in many Middle Eastern dishes.
Because it is high in oil, it can go bad if it is not stored properly.
Here’s how you can tell if your tahini has gone bad.
How long does tahini last?
If you have any leftover tahini that you want to use up before it goes bad, here are some tips for storing it so that it lasts longer.
- Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. If you put it in the refrigerator, it will solidify and become difficult to spread. If you keep it in the fridge, make sure to stir it every few days to prevent clumping.
- Make sure that the lid of the container has a tight seal or else the tahini will smell rancid after a while.
- If possible, store tahini in a cool place, away from heat sources such as radiators and ovens. This will help preserve its freshness.
- When using tahini, always make sure to measure out the amount needed. If you don’t do this, you may end up with too much tahini which means you won’t be able to use all of it.
- To avoid mold forming on your tahini, cover it with plastic wrap once it starts to turn brown. This helps to slow down the process of deterioration. You can also try placing the tahini in the freezer for about two hours to harden it up.
What are the signs that tahini has gone bad?
When tahini goes bad, it becomes rancid.
This means that it smells strongly of rotten eggs or has an unpleasant odor.
The longer you keep it, the more likely it will become rancid.
When it starts smelling like this, you should throw it out immediately because it could make you sick.
Rancid tahini also tastes very different than fresh tahini.
If you have some leftover tahini, you may be able to salvage it by adding lemon juice, salt, and olive oil.
But if you have any left over after doing so, you should discard it.
Can tahini be frozen?
If you want to freeze tahini, make sure that you don’t have any moldy or rancid tahini.
If you do find mold on the surface of your tahini, discard it.
You should also keep track of the expiration date so that you know when to use it up.
Once you have opened the container, store tahini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one year.
How should tahini be stored?
The best way to store tahini is in the refrigerator.
Store it on an open shelf or in a tightly sealed container.
If you have leftover tahini that has turned brown, you can use it as a spread for toast, crackers, or bread.
If you do not want to keep tahini in the fridge, then place it in a bowl with a lid.
Place the bowl in the freezer, and let it thaw overnight before using.
This will help to preserve its freshness.
What is the best way to use tahini?
Tahini can be used on its own or as an ingredient in recipes such as hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, Tahini Brownies and more.
You can also make a creamy dressing with it.
Here are some ways to use tahini:
- Add it to smoothies for extra protein and energy.
- Use it as a dip for fresh vegetables. Try dipping carrots and celery sticks in it or spread it onto pita bread slices and top them with veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions.
- Mix it into yogurt or cottage cheese for a healthy snack.
- Make a creamy salad dressing by combining 2 tablespoons of tahini with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Combine tahini with mayonnaise to create a sandwich spread.
- Try adding it to your favorite cookie recipe to give cookies a nutty taste. Mix tahini with brown sugar, honey, and vanilla extract then add oats, chocolate chips, raisins, or nuts.
- Mix it into mashed potatoes for added nutrition and texture.
- Bake it into a cake instead of butter or oil for a healthier option.
- Spread it on flatbreads for a delicious appetizer.
- Sprinkle it over rice or couscous for extra protein.
- Put it on pizza crust for a tasty treat.
- Use it to replace sour cream in dips and sauces.
- Cook it along with other grains in pilafs or stews.
- Add it to soups for even more flavor and nutrition.
- Make a smoothie by mixing it with almond milk and frozen fruit.
- Mix it with applesauce for a healthy alternative to jam.
- Add it to homemade trail mix for a nutritious snack.
- Use it as a substitute for peanut butter in sandwiches.
- Make a dip out of it by stirring it into Greek yogurt and topping it with chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese.
What are some recipes that use tahini?
Here’s a list of some of the most popular recipes that call for tahini:
- Baba ghanoush
- Falafel
- Kibbeh
- Maklouba
- Pita bread
- Quiche Lorraine
- Sambal oelek (hot chili sauce)
- Spinach dip
If you have any other recipes using tahini, please share them with us in the comments section below!
What are some other uses for tahini?
Here are some recipes that call for tahini:
- Pita bread
- Falafel
- Fattoush salad
- Yogurt sauce
- Hummus
How do I make hummus?
You can make hummus with just two ingredients: chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) and tahini.
You can also add garlic or lemon juice to give it a tangy taste.
To make your own homemade hummus, you will need:
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Dash paprika
- Dash cayenne pepper
- Handful parsley leaves
- Handful mint leaves
- Water
Combine all ingredients except water into a food processor.
Add water until mixture reaches desired consistency.
Serve with pita chips or crackers.
How do I make falafel?
To make falafel, you will need:
- 1 pound dried fava beans (or 1 pound dried chickpeas)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 eggplant, diced
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Cumin
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Parsley
- Dill
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Red pepper flakes
- All-purpose flour
- Breadcrumbs
- Canola oil
Soak the fava beans overnight in enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches.
Drain and rinse the beans well.
Combine the soaked beans with the remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
Mix well until completely combined.
Shape the falafel mixture into small balls about an inch wide.
Heat up the canola oil in a deep fryer or large pot over medium heat.
Working in batches, drop the falafel balls into the hot oil.
Cook for about 5 minutes per side, turning once.
Remove the cooked falafels from the frying pan and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Serve immediately or cool and refrigerate for later use.
What is the nutritional value of tahini?
Nutritional values for tahini vary depending on the brand.
One serving size of tahini usually contains about 1/3 cup (80 grams) of fat, but some brands have as much as 4 teaspoons of fat per tablespoon (15 grams).
The main nutrient that contributes to the nutritional value of tahini is monounsaturated fatty acids.
Monounsaturated fats are considered healthy because they do not increase LDL (bad cholesterol) or decrease HDL (good cholesterol).
They also protect against heart disease by reducing inflammation.
Other nutrients found in tahini include protein, fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, copper, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and manganese.
The amount of each nutrient varies depending on the brand.
For example, one serving of Trader Joe’s unsalted tahini contains 100 calories, 5 grams of fat, 7 milligrams of iron, 3 milligrams of zinc, and 2 percent of the daily value of vitamin A, B6, C, D, K, and E.
Each tablespoon (15 grams) of Trader Joe’s unsalted tahini contains 25 calories, 6 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein, 0.4 milligram of iron, 0.36 milligram of zinc, 0.5 percent of the daily value of vitamin A, B6, C, D, K, and E, and 0.08 milligram of thiamine.
Here are the nutritional values of some popular brands of tahini:
- Unsalted: Trader Joe’s Unsalted Tahini
- Salted: Trader Joe’s Salted Tahini
- Sesame Oil: Spectrum Organics Sesame Oil
- Honey Roasted: Whole Foods 365 Honey Roasted Sesame Tahini
- Roasted: Whole Foods 365 Roasted Sesame Tahini
- Smoked: Whole Foods 365 Smoky Tahini
What are the benefits of eating tahini?
Eating tahini is good for your heart because it contains vitamin E which protects against heart disease and stroke.
Vitamin E also helps protect cell membranes, which help prevent cancer.
Another benefit of tahini is that it is rich in calcium.
Calcium helps lower cholesterol levels and prevents osteoporosis, which weakens bones and makes them more likely to break.
Finally, eating tahini is good for your skin because it contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals that cause wrinkles and age spots.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage cells and lead to premature aging.
The following recipes use tahini as an ingredient.
1. Ham and Swiss Quiche
- Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/4 cup diced cooked ham
- 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons tahini paste
- Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Whisk together eggs, water, melted butter, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, Swiss cheese, ham, cheddar cheese, flours, baking powder, baking soda, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, thyme, and pepper until combined.
- Add egg mixture to dry ingredients, stirring well to combine.
- Pour into pie pan coated with nonstick cooking spray, and bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and set.
- While pie is baking, whisk together tahini paste and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Pour over top of pie before serving.
2. Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad
- Ingredients:
- 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4 inch dice
- 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4 inch dice
- 1/2 yellow squash, cut into 1/4 inch dice
- 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
- 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Directions:
- Combine vegetables in a roasting pan with 1/4 cup boiling water. Cover pan and cook for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain excess water.
- Meanwhile, rinse quinoa under cold running water and drain.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Stir in quinoa and cook, covered, for 5 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Transfer to a bowl and toss with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve at room temperature.
3. Whole Wheat Penne Pasta with Goat Cheese, Sun Dried Tomatoes, and Basil Pesto
- Ingredients:
- 1 pound whole wheat penne pasta
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, drained
- 2 cups basil pesto
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Directions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Drain pasta and return to pot.
- Add pesto, tomatoes, goat cheese, and roasted peppers. Toss well to coat pasta.
- Add reserved cooking liquid and stir well to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Are there any risks associated with eating tahini?
There are no known risks associated with consuming tahini.
However, because it contains oil, it should be kept out of reach of children, pets, and animals.
When making food at home, keep it away from heat sources such as ovens or stoves.
If you have an allergy to nuts, avoid tahini altogether.
If you find that your tahini has gone rancid, don’t consume it.
Instead, throw it out right away.
Rancidity occurs when oils oxidize and become rancid.
Oxidation can occur naturally over time, but it can also happen quickly if exposed to heat or light.
The best way to store tahini is in the refrigerator.
Keep it in a sealed container so that it does not absorb other odors.
Do not put it in the freezer.
This may cause the oil to separate from the sesame seeds.
Tahini Brownies Recipe
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- 1 oven
Ingredients
- 1 cup sesame seeds
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup coconut nectar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups almond flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, blend the sesame seeds until they become crunchy.
- Set aside.
- Add the coconut oil to the same food processor and process until smooth.
- Add the applesauce, coconut nectar, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Process again until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk the eggs until they turn light yellow.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and stir until completely combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25 minutes.
- Let cool before cutting.
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I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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