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How To Make Tahini.

A simple recipe for tahini using sesame seeds and oil.

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By Shan · Updated October 26, 2026

How To Make Tahini Save to Pinterest
Total
10 min
Serves
16
Ingredients
2

Recipe

How To Make Tahini

A simple recipe for tahini using sesame seeds and oil.

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How To Make Tahini
Yield
8 Tbsp (1 cup)
Cook
5 minutes
Total
10 minutes
Additional Time
5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup raw hulled sesame seeds
  • 1/2–1 Tbsp olive oil

Base draft — original amounts

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  • 1 cup raw hulled sesame seeds
  • 1-2 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Toast sesame seeds in a pan on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring so they don't burn. Remove seeds from heat and allow to cool for a minute.
  2. Add the seeds to food processor and blend until smooth. Slowly add in the oil until a liquid like consistency is achieved.

Notes

If you have sesame seeds that were already toasted when you bought them, you can use them - but you should still warm them up in a pan on medium-low heat. It will help them release their oil when blending. Store the unused tahini in a jar with a tight-fitting lid in the fridge for up to 1 month.

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Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds that have been hulled, toasted, and ground. Making delicious tahini sauce at home is easy, using a food processor.

Tahini is used by itself or combined with other ingredients to add a rich, nutty flavor to many Eastern Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and North African dishes.

But if you don't live in those places, tahini may be difficult to find – or expensive. Luckily, if you have sesame seeds and a little bit of olive oil you can make fresh taat home in your food processor.

raw sesame seeds before they are toasted for tahini.
Add the raw sesame seeds into a frying pan over medium high heat.
sesame seeds that have been toasted and are a deeper brown color than before.
Sesame seeds that have been toasted and will have a deeper brown color than before. You will also be able to smell a nice toasted smell once they are ready.
the toasted sesame seeds are added into a food processor.
The toasted sesame seeds are then added into a food processor.
After processing the toasted sesame seeds in the food processor, stop the machine and scrape down the bottom and sides with a spatula to catch any whole seeds that have been stuck there.
After processing the toasted sesame seeds in the food processor, stop the machine and scrape down the bottom and sides with a spatula to catch any whole seeds that have been stuck there.
Adding the olive oil one tablespoon at a time to the sesame seeds.
After the seeds are finely processed, start adding in the olive oil, one tablespoon at a time.
The consistency of the sesame seeds has become paste like.
Slowly the consistency of the sesame seeds will become paste like.
Continue processing the sesame seeds and oil for a minute or so.
Continue processing the sesame seeds and oil for a minute or so.
Scrape down the sides and bottom of the food processor again and add more olive oil.
Scrape down the sides and bottom of the food processor again and add more olive oil.
After processing for about 2 minutes more, it finally looks shiny and liquid-y. Your tahini is done!
After processing for about 2 minutes more, it finally looks shiny and liquid-y. Your tahini is done!
Pour the tahini you made into a glass jar.
Pour the tahini you made into a glass jar.
Use the tahini to make hummus or make a tasty tahini dressing. Store the unused tahini in a jar with a tight-fitting lid in the fridge for up to 1 month.

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