Looking For Tahini In The Grocery Store? Here's Where To Start

You may be a tahini aficionado or have never heard of it before, but chances are you've eaten it. Tahini (or tahina) is a paste made from ground sesame seeds and a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. It's a nutty, savory condiment that makes your hummus creamy, levels up your salad dressings, and tops off your falafel or kebabs with a perfect drizzle.

Think of tahini as a sort-of peanut butter but a little earthier in flavor and thinner in consistency. Like peanut butter, tahini is one of those magic ingredients that makes everything taste a little better. So if you've never thought to cook with it before, you may want to reconsider, because this stuff is simply delicious.

Don't worry; you don't need to go on a wild goose chase or scour the internet to find a bottle of tahini. It may be a little tricky to find (or to find someone who knows where to find it), but rest assured you can pick up some tahini at most major grocery stores — if you know where to look.

Admittedly, tahini can be a bit elusive at your local grocery store, but there's a good chance they do carry it. First off, what exactly are you looking for? It'll usually be either a glass jar or a plastic container. Some major brands to look out for are Sadaf, Haddar, Mid-East, Tarazi, Simple Truth Organic, O Organics, and Mighty Sesame Co.

Now, where do you start once you walk into the store? Tahini is a shelf-stable product, so heading to the cold refrigerator aisles is unnecessary. Your best bet will be in one of two places: the condiments aisle, hidden among the peanut butter, ketchup, mayo, and mustard. Since typically only one or two brands will be available, it may be hard to spot, so give the shelves a good scan.

The second choice is to try the aisle where your grocery store's international section lives (if it has one), near the other Middle-Eastern specialty items and kosher foods. When in doubt, you should be able to grab a bottle at your nearest specialty or Middle-Eastern market.

If you're new to tahini, the good news is that it can go a long way once you find a jar of it. Aside from the obvious recipes like creamy homemade hummus or baba ghanoush, you can use tahini in anything from savory dinner dishes to sweet and nutty cookies and cakes.

The easiest way to use tahini is on its own by simply drizzling it on top of your meals for that perfect finish of flavor. This can be anything from grilled meat or fish to roasted or raw vegetables. To create a flavorful, dippable sauce, you can also mix tahini with a few other ingredients like lemon, garlic, herbs, and maple syrup. Spread that sauce on sandwiches or burgers, or dip your favorite bread, meats, and veggies into it.

Want more tahini ideas? Throw it in the marinade for your meat, mix it into your overnight oats, or add it to dressings to pour over your salads and bowls. And don't forget about dessert. Tahini can be a delicious addition to sweets like cookies, brownies, blondies, sheet cakes, milkshakes, and homemade ice cream.