The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.

Do you love soup? Specifically carrot or any vegetable soup. Well, that means youve heard of Tahini. But lets say you lack run out of Tahini, what are other alternatives you can use to replace it?

In A Snapshot, here are some Best Substitute for Tahini in Soup

• Cashew and Almond Butter
• Peanut Butter
• Sunflower Seed Butter
• Greek Yogurt
• Sesame Oil
• Sesame Seeds
• Black Sesame Paste
• Kerisik (toasted coconut paste)
• Canola Oil
• Homemade Tahini Sauce

Read on to find out more about the brief history of tahini, types of tahini and what you can use to replace them in soup.

What Is Tahini?

Tahini, called tahina in other countries, is a thick condiment from the Middle East that is made from ground sesame seeds. It is a standard ingredient in the Mediterranean and in some parts of North African cuisines.

You will find it in dips from the region, including baba ghanoush, halva and hummus. The quickest way to describe it is that it is like peanut butter, but the sesame version of it.

Of course, it has that flavor because it is made up of hulled sesame seeds that had been toasted and emulsified into a smooth, creamy consistency. Because of it, it comes with a nutty, savory taste.

The paste is not even limited to savory dishes. It is also found in sweet concoctions, such as the halva. Bakers use it for various recipes, such as chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, and even the Lebanese dessert dibs bi tahini.

Types of Tahini

Comparing hulled and unhulled Tahini is much like comparing white and brown rice. Both create a different taste, depending on the processing of sesame seeds.

Hulled tahini uses white sesame seeds that are hulled, meaning its brown layer (outer shell) is being removed. This type of tahini is what you commonly see in shops. Hulled tahini is lighter in color and sweeter in taste.[Source]

Un-hulled tahini is not that popular, but its something you can still see in shops or is something you can make yourself.

The main difference of un-hulled tahini from the hulled one is that the brown layer or its outer shell is not removed. Without the outer layer being removed, its result is darker than hulled tahini and it gives a slightly bitter flavor to it.

Which tahini is the healthiest? If you want a hint of sweetness to your dish, then the hulled one is the recommended one for you. However, if you want a more natural flavor, then you should go for the un-hulled tahini.

9 Best Tahini Substitutes 

Now that we know what Tahini is and what its used for, lets look at the alternatives you can use to substitute Tahini, whether it be for the reason of being allergic to sesame or if youre too lazy to go to your nearest store and purchase a bag of tahini.

Because the ingredient comes with a sesame-like nutty flavor with an emulsified consistency, you must find a substitute that comes with the same flavor, texture, and consistency.

In the case of soup, people will even more immediately notice if something quite different has been used aside from the Tahini.

Cashew and Almond Butter

 

Since Tahini has a nutty flavor with a peanut butter texture, cashew and almond butter are great substitutes for it. Cashew and almond may give your dish a taste of sweetness and they do not have the hint of bitterness of Tahini.

As for the serving, since our cashew and almond butter are fresh and almost 100% of cashew and almonds, try adding the same amount of the butter from the normal Tahini serving on your dish.

How to make your own Cashew and Almond Butter

Now, if youre wondering how you can make your cashew and almond butter, its quite easy!

First, you need to have cashew and coconut oil, and a food processor.

1. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
2. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
3. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
4. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
5. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
6. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.

Do the same with the almonds.

Peanut Butter

If theres cashew and almond butter, peanut butter surely cant be missing out. You probably have one at home, unless youre allergic, so you dont have to make one of your own.

But if you dont have peanut butter, refer to the instructions on the cashew and almond butter making and you can get yourself your PB!

Toast the peanuts until evenly golden, let it cool for a while, process it until the texture is thick, and smoothen it with a few tablespoons of neutral oil.

Although peanut butter gives a silky texture like tahini, its flavor is stronger so it would be recommended to use it in a minimal usage to imitate the same taste and texture like tahini.

And just like tahini, peanut butter also has benefits and nutrition. It helps lower bad cholesterol and increase the protective cholesterol. Its a natural source of arginine which is an amino acid that may prevent heart and vascular diseases by helping the blood vessel function normally.

Sunflower Seed Butter

Sunflower seed butter is an alternative not only for tahini but also for peanut butter if youre allergic to nuts.

How is sunflower seed butter made? Its similar to making cashew and almond butter, except that you have to toast it at a higher temperature and you need to process them for 20-25 minutes.

Make sure you check on them once every 10 minutes and stir them to avoid the seeds from getting burnt. You can add sugar and salt, and keep processing it for a couple more minutes until the texture is the same as peanut butter. If you want to make it smoother and creamier, just wait another 5 minutes and put 1-2 tablespoons of oil.

And whats great about sunflower seed butter is that it is almost 100% sunflower seeds, so it is a source of many vitamins and minerals that support your immune system to help fight off viruses.

Greek Yogurt

Just like tahini, Greek yogurt has a thicker and creamy texture that mimics that of tahini, except Greek yogurt isnt recommended for dishes or recipes that counterbalance sweetness.

Unlike tahini, Greek yogurt has more protein and less fat, and it has less fiber and more sugar than tahini. Greek yogurt is preferable if youre restricting yourself with a healthy meal or if you want a balanced diet, but its not recommended if youre looking for a nutty taste.

In short, Greek yogurt is profuse with nutrients. It also makes a good substitute for sour cream if you dont have one at home.

Sesame Oil

 

Sesame oil is from the same source as tahini. Its a compressed oil from sesame seeds that works well as a tahini substitute but without the paste and creamy consistency.

Despite this, it works great if youre looking for more flavor. Because the consistency is different, the 1:1 substitution technique isnt highly suggested.

Use a minimal amount. So if youre looking for an alternative for tahini without sugar, carbs, and sodium, you might wanna try this one out. Although it has more fat and calories and is not rich in protein and fiber, sesame oil may still be a fair substitute for tahini if youre looking for something that gives more flavor.

Sesame Seeds

As we all know, sesame seeds are the very soul of tahini. Therefore, a generous amount of these will be enough for your tahini needs. Since sesame seeds are fresher and more natural, use them sparingly.

The downside of this alternative is that it doesnt work well with large servings or if you want to use tahini as a dressing or a dip.

The good side of sesame seeds is the nutrients and benefits they provide.[Source]

These include the following:

• A good source of fiber
• The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
• A nutritious source of plant protein
• Good source of vitamin B
• helps in lowering blood pressure

Black Sesame Paste

 

Black sesame paste is a Japanese condiment used in making sweet and savory recipes. It is not recommended in making hummus as the color may change drastically.

You can get these for a decent price online, or you can make them at home.

To make black sesame paste, youll need black sesame seeds and honey or sesame oil for the sweet-savory goodness. Then, the seeds are toasted and processed by using either a food processor (makes the process faster) or ground using Suribachi and Surikogi (the Japanese mortar and pestle) into a thick blend before it is sweetened using honey. It is sweetened because the un-hulled seeds taste bitter.

The taste of black sesame seeds is rich and nuttier than tahini, which is made of white sesame seeds (hulled or un-hulled.) And heres a fun fact, you can store black sesame seeds in the refrigerator for a month!

Black sesame seeds contain lots of nutrients such as proteins, fiber, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc! And regular intake of black sesame seeds could lessen the oxidation in the body. It can improve blood pressure, and also provide antioxidants.

Kerisik (toasted coconut paste)

 

Yep, Kerisik is a coconut paste, sometimes referred to as coconut butter. Its a Southeast Asian condiment that is commonly used in Indonesian, Malaysian, and Singaporean cooking.

It can be made into a paste of the same consistency as Tahini. So, it can work well as a substitute.

The main ingredient is coconut, but it gives a nutty taste and has a grainy and creamy texture that is slightly similar to tahini, except that tahini has a smoother and silkier texture.

If you want a nutty flavor with a mix of sweetness, you should definitely try Kerisik.

Canola Oil

 

If you were contemplating using sesame oil, you could also work with canola oil anyway. It is neutral enough to combine with sunflower seed butter.

Consider this. If you are going to use sesame oil and add it to sunflower seed butter, you may get an overpowering taste that will highlight the fact that you are not using Tahini.

Homemade Tahini Sauce

 

Last on the list, we have homemade tahini sauce!

If you cant seem to find tahini in stores, or if you want to make your own, this is the best option for you!

Making tahini sauce is a piece of cake. All you need is sesame seeds, sesame oil (canola or olive oil would also work, but sesame oil is better), and a food processor!

First, youre going to put the seeds into a spacious and dry saucepan on a stove until it is lightly golden and when there is a sense of fragrance. Using an oven is less recommended as sesame seeds are light and tiny, which means they tend to burn easily.

Wait for the seeds to cool down for a while and when they have, pour them onto the bowl of the food processor, and process until thick, powdery paste forms.

To smoothen the paste, add a couple of tablespoons of your preferred oil. 3-4 tablespoons should do the work. When youve added the oil, continue processing and start scraping some paste from the sides of the bowl a little.

After this, your tahini is done! Now its smooth and ready for any soup you like.

When do you need a substitute for Tahini?

The quick assumption is that you are looking for a Tahini substitute because you have run out of the ingredient in your kitchen. However, there could be other reasons, such as the following:

You cannot find Tahini in your area

So, perhaps it is not as easy as going to the store and looking for some of this nutty paste to add to your soup. Maybe the stores in your location do not even have stocks of the ingredient.

So, the best way to accomplish your cooking plans would be to find a substitute. It is too pricey for you.

You may be surprised, especially if you find nut-based butter quite expensive. It may be different, depending on where you live. Tahini can be expensive in some places. So, you must have other options if need be.

You like the taste but dont like the texture, or vice-versa

The paste texture of Tahini makes it work well with preparing soup. It makes the soup more filling instead of watery. However, if you do not like its sesame taste, you may want to go for something sweeter like butter or more neutral like canola.

On the other hand, you may like the taste but not the texture. So, you can go for sesame seeds, which feel more tangible on the tongue but wont thicken your soup if it is not a paste.

You have an allergy

So, you have a Tahini allergy. More likely, you are allergic to the sesame in it. If that is the case, taking anything with Tahini will cause you to break out in hives or even go on anaphylaxis. There is no other choice but to find safer alternatives that do not contain sesame. We have a few on our list above.

An epinephrine injection on the ready can help, but it is not advisable to push your luck. Avoid anything with sesame, including Tahini.

Be aware of any of your family members having the same sesame allergy.

A lower-fat option would be welcome

While Tahini can provide you with proteins and other nutrients, it has more fat and calories than other options. So, you may want to know if you can go with lower-fat, lower-calorie alternatives.

As you now know, looking for substitutes does not always mean you have run out of Tahini in the kitchen. Perhaps, you are not supposed to have any in the kitchen.

You may also be doing the substitution to keep yourself healthy or even save a life.

Preparing your own Tahini at home as an option:

So, you still want something as close to Tahini, as possible. If you have the necessary ingredients at home, you can make your own.

Here are some of the steps in which Tahini usually is prepared:

1. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
2. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
3. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
4. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.

You can buy the sesame seeds already hulled and raw or even unhulled. It depends on how you want them. You can use any type but find out more about the variations to get the specific taste that you like.

For example, the toasted ones are the least bitter. You will come to realize that if you know how to make homemade peanut butter, you will find making homemade Tahini easy enough.

What do you do with the unhulled or hulled seeds?

1. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
2. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
3. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.
4. The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.

The resulting flavor will keep in a jar for about a month. So, only make enough of the concoction that will last you for that period. The resulting Tahini paste will be less expensive than the one you buy from the store.