Best Substitutes for Tahini
The best substitute for tahini is sunflower seed butter — use 1 tablespoon for every 1 tablespoon of tahini. It matches the creamy texture and mild nuttiness of tahini better than most alternatives, making it a reliable swap in dressings, dips, and baked goods.
| Substitute | Ratio | Best for | Doesn't work for |
|---|
| Sunflower seed butter | 1:1 | Dressings, dips, baking, sauces | Authentic Middle Eastern flavour |
| Cashew butter | 1:1 | Dressings, dips, baking, smoothies | Sesame-forward dishes |
| Almond butter | ¾ tbsp per 1 tbsp | Dressings, baking, sauces | Traditional hummus, nut-free recipes |
| Peanut butter | ¾ tbsp per 1 tbsp | Dressings, noodle sauces, baking | Hummus, nut-free recipes, Middle Eastern dishes |
| Toasted sesame oil | 1 tsp per 1 tbsp | Dressings, marinades, flavouring | Dips, baking, binding |
What does tahini do in a recipe?
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds with a distinctive nutty, slightly bitter flavour and a smooth, oily consistency. It acts as a flavour base, a creamy binder, and an emulsifier in recipes like hummus, dressings, marinades, and baked goods. Running out mid-recipe or needing a nut- or seed-free alternative is more common than you'd think, and the right swap depends entirely on what role tahini is playing in your dish — flavour, texture, or both.
Can I use sunflower seed butter instead of tahini?
Yes — sunflower seed butter is the closest match overall. Use 1 tablespoon for every 1 tablespoon of tahini. It has a similarly thick, creamy consistency and a mild nuttiness that won't overpower other ingredients. It works beautifully in dressings, dips, sauces, and baked goods. The one catch: it won't replicate the authentic sesame flavour that defines traditional Middle Eastern dishes, so it's better suited to everyday cooking than to classic recipes where sesame is the star.
Can I use cashew butter instead of tahini?
Cashew butter is a great tahini substitute when you want something smooth and neutral. Use 1 tablespoon for every 1 tablespoon of tahini. Its mild, slightly sweet nuttiness blends seamlessly into dressings, dips, hummus, and smoothies. It lacks tahini's characteristic sesame bitterness, which is fine in most recipes but means it won't hold up in sesame-forward dishes. Look for an unsweetened variety to keep the flavour profile clean and savoury.
Is almond butter a good tahini substitute for baking?
Almond butter works well in baking and sauces, but use ¾ tablespoon for every 1 tablespoon of tahini — the flavour is more pronounced and can become overpowering at a full swap. It has a rich, smooth consistency that handles well in dressings and baked goods. However, it's not ideal for traditional hummus, where the sesame flavour really matters, and it's off the table entirely for nut-free households.
Can I substitute peanut butter for tahini?
Peanut butter can stand in for tahini, but it comes with a strong caveat — the peanut flavour is bold and will make itself known. Use ¾ tablespoon for every 1 tablespoon of tahini, and always choose natural, unsweetened peanut butter. It works best in noodle sauces, dressings, and baked goods where a peanut note won't feel out of place. Avoid it in hummus or Middle Eastern-inspired dishes where it will clash with the intended flavour.
Can I use toasted sesame oil instead of tahini?
Toasted sesame oil is the only substitute here that actually delivers the sesame flavour — but it's a liquid, not a paste. Use , and add another fat or thickener (like olive oil and Greek yoghurt) to compensate for the lost body. It works in dressings and marinades where texture is less critical but falls short in dips, baked goods, or anywhere you need tahini for binding or creaminess.
Substitution ratios are informed by established culinary references including King Arthur Baking and Serious Eats.
