4 Ways To Use That Jar Of Tahini You Bought For One Recipe

A couple of weeks ago, I bought some tahini for a tomato and tahini noodle recipe I had spied that looked absolutely incredible. And it was absolutely incredible. And now I have a jar that stares at me every time I open my pantry, imploring me to use it, instead of letting it sit there unused for the next five years. Now, this isn’t the first time this has happened: I’ve used tahini before, plenty of times. I love its nutty, deep, textured flavor, and what it gives to everything from hummus to halva. But this time…I was at a loss. 

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Hence, I sat down at my laptop, I stretched out my fingers, and I got researching. I now have enough tahini uses to last me a lifetime, and I’m bringing my favorite finds to you. 

Use It In Salad Dressing

Using tahini in salad dressings isn’t a new thing, but I definitely haven’t done it enough as I probably should. In salad dressings, tahini provides smoothness, richness, and a flavor note that doesn’t fall into the classic camps of acidity and sweetness that tend to dominate them. It’s also a great alternative to yogurt or mayonnaise, if you’re trying to create a creamy dressing without dairy or eggs.

You can use tahini as the base of your salad dressing, or you can add in a spoonful or two to add something extra to your favorite recipe. If doing the former, make sure you add ample sweetness from honey or maple syrup; tahini can get bitter if left unbalanced.

Add It To Veggie Burgers

Tahini might be your best secret weapon in a veggie burger. Not only does it give bean, lentil, or mushroom burgers some much-needed richness and a better mouthfeel, but it can also help to bind the mixture together. Tahini also has a mild umami note which can deepen the flavor of veggie burgers, which can often be painfully underpowered. Just mix a few tablespoons into the mixture, and you’re good to go.  

Mix It Into Ice Cream

Like peanut butter, tahini works just as well with sweet recipes as it does savory – and like peanut butter (and other peanut butter alternatives), it can be a natural in ice cream. It’s just as versatile as good ol’ PB, too. You can stir tahini into chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and salted caramel ice cream as an additional flavor, or you can use it as the base note and layer on top. Check out this tahini and caramelized walnut ice cream recipe from Waitrose for some inspiration. 

Add It To Pasta

Tahini can form the base of a pasta sauce, where, like in other applications, it gives you a creaminess and a rich quality. If you’re looking for a vegan substitute for a cheese sauce, tahini and nutritional yeast can form the base of a silky, smooth solution that coats each noodle beautifully. It can also be used as an additional ingredient: That noodle recipe I mentioned above? It’s a winner.