Forum: cooking.stackexchange.com
Tags: <substitutions><tahini><hummus>
Title: Is there a substitute for tahini in hummus?
Question: If I don't have tahini is there anything similar to use to make hummus?

Answers:
sents: text: Sort of.
text: If you have sesame seeds on hand, grind some up.
text: You could also use toasted sesame oil, and even combine it with the ground seeds.
text: You can also use all-natural peanut butter.
text: Don't use mass market crap with sugar and other additives.
text: The ingredients should list only: peanuts, salt.
text: Obviously, this will taste like peanuts.
text: It will still taste good in a hummus, but it will be a distinctly different hummus than with tahini.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/60/hobodave
score: 20
sents: text: You can make something vaguely approximating hummus just by leaving out the tahini, but it won't have the characteristic tanginess of an authentic hummus and will end up tasting more like a chickpea salad.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/19/Joel Spolsky
score: 10
sents: text: Making tahini is quite a simple process, it's simply a combination of sesame seeds and olive oil.
text: To make toast a quantity of sesame in the oven, on a moderate heat, for 5 to 10 minutes, but don't let them burn.
text: Allow the to cool then, combine them in a food processor with olive oil.
text: Add enough oil to reach the consistency you desire.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/115/Pulse
score: 10
sents: text: You could try peanut butter (or any other nut butter, especially one with a light flavor and no salt or sugar added).
text: Another option is sesame oil, but only add a little bit at a time, checking the flavor and consistency of your hummus as you go.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/403/Iuls
score: 6
sents: text: I loved hummus but then found out that I am allergic to sesame seeds.
text: To substitute, I have used sunflower seed butter, almond butter or cashew butter.
text: I have also tried combining a few of the nut butters for a more complex taste with good results.
text: I have heard peanut butter works, but I am also allergic to peanuts
text: so I cannot say much about it.
text: Whatever you use as a substitute, make sure it does not contain a lot of ingredients, like sugar.
text: My best substitute is to take raw, unsalted cashews and either soak them overnight or simmer them in water for about 20 minutes.
text: The cashews will get really soft.
text: Drain, then add 1:1 cashews and fresh water.
text: Blend.
text: The consistency will be very creamy like tahini.
text: I know that what I make is not authentic hummus, but I still enjoy it.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/23753/hummuslover
score: 5
sents: text: I'm allergic to sesame (it sucks), so I use sunflower seed butter.
text: I really like it, but I don't really know what I'm missing.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/20742/user20742
score: 3
sents: text: I'm sensitive to sesame seeds and usually use hemp hearts instead.
text: They're several times the price, though.
text: Neat thoughts on just using a nut butter, y'all.
text: I can't have peanuts, but I can have other nuts…
text: I was about to make some cashew butter anyway, so that works!
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/26150/user26150
score: 3
sents: text: I've used lentils with good results.
text: My kid is allergic to sesame, so I've tried different things and the best results where with some plain lentils.
text: It doesn't have the same tanginess but it definitely changes the flavor from chickpeas to hummus.
text: Most of people don't seem to notice the difference, but I haven't tried with people that had been raised on hummus.
text: I cooked them with a bit of salt and them add 3 tablespoons, but I hold a bit on the water of the original recipe to correct for it and add a bit more olive oil.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/1546/Julio
score: 3
sents: text: Tahini is sesame seed butter, so you could reasonably substitute any nut butter.
text: It won't taste the same, but it'll be edible!
text: Some people don't like tahini in their hummus and use olive oil and ground cumin in its place.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/359/goblinbox
score: 2
sents: text: I mix one part flax seeds and one part Olive Oil.
text: It's pretty good, and you get more fiber.
text: ;)
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/22572/Marissa R
score: 2
sents: text: What about using pine nuts, as used in Pesto?
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/20939/Rosie
score: 0
sents: text: Not all hummus needs tahini.
text: For example at a tunsian restaurant down the street they are tahini free.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/23210/Jeef
score: 0
sents: text: To help reduce the fat content, I have used the concentrated flavor of roasted sesame oil.
text: It tastes pretty good.
text: Use about one tbs.
text: of oil to a can of processed chick peas.
text: I also have flavored with garlic, harrisa, diced tomato (meat only, no juice) or concentrated tomato paste, parsley.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/55100/Rick
score: 0
sents: text: Ground white poppy seed - khus - with a tiny amount of toasted sesame oil should work; hummus bi khus khus?
text: Not identical, but the texture is similar and taste is closer than nut butters.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/85744/Grax
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
Tahini is made with sesame seeds and olive oil, so you can make it yourself or use butters made with sunflower seed, peanut, almond or other nuts and seeds. Lentils or toasted sesame oil can also be used.
You can either make your own tahini with sesame seeds and oil or replace the sesame with a nut butter or sunflower seeds.