Tahini substitutes
Tahini substitutes — 5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Sesame seeds + oil
½ cup seeds + 2 tbsp oil
Homemade tahini.
The best substitutes for tahini are sesame oil + sesame seeds, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter.
Tahini is ground sesame seeds and nothing else, which makes it about half fat, and that fat carries a bitter, toasted, savoury flavour that is not much like a nut butter. It also does real structural work: whisked with water and lemon it emulsifies into a pale, thick sauce, and that is what makes hummus creamy instead of grainy. So a swap has to cover the mechanics and the flavour, and most cover only the mechanics.
- Best for —
- When you want to make your own
Updated 26 Jul 2026 · no sponsored swaps
- Jobs
- Fat & richnessprimary
- Aroma & flavor identitysecondary
- Emulsifyingsecondary
- Thickeningsecondary
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of tahini |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sesame seeds + oilWhen you want to make your own | ½ cup seeds + 2 tbsp oil |
| 2 | Peanut butterWhen you want similar texture | Same amount |
| 3 | Almond butterWhen you want different nut flavor | Same amount |
| 4 | Sunflower seed butterWhen you need nut-free option | Same amount |
| 5 | Cashew butterWhen you want mild flavor | Same amount |
Sesame seeds + oil
Homemade tahini
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Emulsifying
- Thickening
- Best for
- When you want to make your own
Blend sesame seeds with oil until smooth.
Peanut butter
Similar nutty, creamy texture
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Emulsifying
- Thickening
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- When you want similar texture
Use the same amount as tahini.
Almond butter
Creamy nut butter alternative
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Emulsifying
- Thickening
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- When you want different nut flavor
Use the same amount as tahini.
Sunflower seed butter
Nut-free alternative
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Emulsifying
- Thickening
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- When you need nut-free option
Use the same amount as tahini.
Cashew butter
Creamy, mild nut butter
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Emulsifying
- Thickening
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- When you want mild flavor
Use the same amount as tahini.
Questions
3 questionsWhat is tahini made from?
Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds. It has a rich, nutty flavor and is commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking.
Can I make tahini at home?
Yes, toast sesame seeds and grind them in a food processor until smooth. Add a little sesame oil if needed.
Is tahini the same as sesame paste?
Yes, tahini and sesame paste are the same thing. Tahini is the Arabic name for sesame paste.
Tips for substituting tahini
5 tips- Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds
- It's commonly used in hummus, baba ganoush, and salad dressings
- Tahini has a rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture
- It pairs well with lemon, garlic, and olive oil
- Store tahini in the refrigerator after opening