🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Sesame Oil Tahini Substitute - How to Use Sesame Oil Instead of Tahini

Learn how to use sesame oil as a tahini substitute in hummus, dressings, and sauces. Get proper ratios, cooking tips, and when sesame oil works best as a tahini alternative.

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Quick Answer

Sesame oil alone won't provide the same texture as tahini, but combining it with ground sesame seeds creates an excellent substitute. Use 2 tablespoons sesame oil + 1/4 cup ground sesame seeds to replace 1/4 cup tahini. Toast the seeds first for enhanced flavor.

Best Substitutes

Sesame Oil + Sesame Seeds

2 tbsp sesame oil + 1/4 cup sesame seeds = 1/4 cup tahini

Combine sesame oil with ground sesame seeds to create the most authentic tahini substitute. Toast the seeds first for enhanced flavor depth. This provides the traditional sesame taste and creamy texture.

Best for:

authentic Middle Eastern disheshummusdressingssauces

Closest to authentic tahini flavor. Toast seeds for enhanced depth

Sesame Oil + Water

2 tbsp sesame oil + 2 tbsp water = 1/4 cup tahini

A simple combination of sesame oil and water can substitute for tahini in dressings and sauces. This provides sesame flavor but won't have the same creamy texture as tahini.

Best for:

dressingssauceswhen you want sesame flavorquick substitutions

Simple alternative for dressings and sauces. Won't have same texture

Sesame Oil + Lemon Juice

2 tbsp sesame oil + 1 tbsp lemon juice = 1/4 cup tahini

Combine sesame oil with lemon juice to create a bright, acidic substitute for tahini. This works well in dressings and marinades where you want sesame flavor with added acidity.

Best for:

dressingsmarinadeswhen you want aciditybright flavors

Adds acidity and brightness. Good for dressings and marinades

Sesame Oil + Miso Paste

1 tbsp sesame oil + 1 tbsp miso paste = 1/4 cup tahini

Combine sesame oil with miso paste to create a complex, umami-rich substitute for tahini. This adds depth and complexity while maintaining sesame flavor. Use white or yellow miso for milder flavor.

Best for:

umami-rich dishesAsian-inspired recipescomplex flavor profiles

Adds umami depth and sesame flavor. Use white or yellow miso

Sesame Oil + Greek Yogurt

1 tbsp sesame oil + 1/4 cup Greek yogurt = 1/4 cup tahini

Combine sesame oil with Greek yogurt to create a creamy, tangy substitute for tahini. This provides sesame flavor with added creaminess and tang from the yogurt.

Best for:

creamy applicationswhen you want tangdressings

Adds creaminess and tang. Use plain, unsweetened yogurt

Sesame Oil + Avocado

1 tbsp sesame oil + 1/4 avocado = 1/4 cup tahini

Combine sesame oil with avocado to create a creamy, healthy substitute for tahini. This provides sesame flavor with added creaminess and healthy fats from the avocado.

Best for:

creamy applicationswhen you want healthy fatsdressings

Adds creaminess and healthy fats. Blend until smooth

Sesame Oil + Silken Tofu

1 tbsp sesame oil + 1/4 cup silken tofu = 1/4 cup tahini

Combine sesame oil with silken tofu to create a creamy, neutral substitute for tahini. This provides sesame flavor with added creaminess and protein from the tofu.

Best for:

creamy applicationswhen you want neutral flavorhigh-protein options

Adds creaminess without flavor. Blend until smooth

Sesame Oil + Coconut Cream

1 tbsp sesame oil + 1/4 cup coconut cream = 1/4 cup tahini

Combine sesame oil with coconut cream to create a creamy, dairy-free substitute for tahini. This provides sesame flavor with added creaminess and a subtle coconut taste.

Best for:

creamy applicationsdairy-free optionswhen you want coconut flavor

Adds creaminess and slight coconut flavor. Use full-fat coconut cream

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For authentic flavor, sesame oil + sesame seeds is closest to real tahini
  • 💡Toast sesame seeds before grinding for enhanced flavor depth
  • 💡Sesame oil alone won't provide the same texture as tahini
  • 💡Combine sesame oil with creamy ingredients for better texture
  • 💡Use toasted sesame oil for more intense flavor
  • 💡Adjust the amount of sesame oil based on desired flavor intensity
  • 💡For dressings, sesame oil + water works well for flavor
  • 💡For creamy applications, combine sesame oil with yogurt or avocado

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use sesame oil instead of tahini?

Sesame oil alone won't provide the same texture as tahini, but combining it with ground sesame seeds creates an excellent substitute. Use 2 tablespoons sesame oil + 1/4 cup ground sesame seeds to replace 1/4 cup tahini.

What's the ratio for sesame oil to tahini?

For the best tahini substitute, use 2 tablespoons sesame oil + 1/4 cup ground sesame seeds to replace 1/4 cup tahini. For simple flavor substitution, use 2 tablespoons sesame oil + 2 tablespoons water.

How do I make tahini substitute with sesame oil?

To make tahini substitute with sesame oil, combine 2 tablespoons sesame oil with 1/4 cup ground sesame seeds. Toast the seeds first for enhanced flavor. For dressings, you can use sesame oil + water or lemon juice.

Does sesame oil taste like tahini?

Sesame oil has a similar sesame flavor to tahini but is more intense and concentrated. It provides the sesame taste but lacks the creamy texture of tahini. Combining it with sesame seeds creates a closer substitute.

Can I use sesame oil for hummus instead of tahini?

For hummus, sesame oil alone won't provide the same texture as tahini. Combine 2 tablespoons sesame oil with 1/4 cup ground sesame seeds for the best substitute. This provides both the flavor and texture needed for hummus.

What can I mix with sesame oil to make tahini?

Mix sesame oil with ground sesame seeds (2 tbsp oil + 1/4 cup seeds) for the closest tahini substitute. For dressings, mix with water or lemon juice. For creaminess, mix with Greek yogurt, avocado, or silken tofu.

Summary

Learn how to use sesame oil as a tahini substitute in hummus, dressings, and sauces. Get proper ratios, cooking tips, and when sesame oil works best as a tahini alternative.