Tahini: A Tasty Substitute for Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Want a yummy and healthy substitute for extra virgin olive oil for your salads? Try tahini! This creamy paste made from sesame seeds is delicious and full of good nutrients for your body.
Let’s see why tahini is great for salads and how it can make your meals even tastier.
Why Choose Tahini Instead of Olive Oil for Salads?
- Has a creamy texture that’s great for dressings
- Contains healthy fats and protein
- Has fewer calories than olive oil
- Can be used in many recipes
- Adds a nutty flavor to salads
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
- It’s plant-based and vegan-friendly
What Is Tahini and Why Is It a Great Substitute for Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds, commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine, and is becoming popular all over the world. Since tahini is versatile and nutritious, it makes a great replacement for extra-virgin olive oil in many recipes, especially salads.
This extra virgin olive oil substitute has a smooth and creamy texture with a rich, nutty taste that’s perfect for people who want to try new ingredients in their cooking or find healthier options for their salad dressings.
Nutritional Benefits of Tahini vs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Tahini is not just tasty, it’s also good for you. It has more protein and fiber than olive oil, which is great if you want to eat healthier. Tahini also has calcium, iron, and magnesium, which are important for your bones, energy, and muscles.
Tahini has fewer calories than olive oil – about 89 calories in a tablespoon compared to 119 in olive oil. This is obviously good if you’re watching your calories, but the sesame seeds in tahini also contain a special plant antioxidant called lignans, which can help protect your body from heart disease and other illnesses.
How to Use Tahini as a Salad Dressing
Using tahini is an easy and yummy way to improve your salads. Here’s a simple recipe:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of tahini with the juice from half a lemon
- Add 1 crushed garlic clove and a little salt
- Slowly add water and mix until it’s as thick or thin as you like
- Pour it over your salad and enjoy!
This creamy dressing is great on green salads, roasted veggie salads, or as a dip for raw veggies. You can also try adding herbs like parsley or spices like cumin to make it taste different. If you’d like it a little sweeter, try adding a little honey or maple syrup. Check out more easy tahini recipes here!
Tahini vs Peanut Butter: Which is Better for Replacing Olive Oil?
While both tahini and peanut butter are made from nuts or seeds, tahini is better for replacing olive oil in salads:
Tahini is smoother and has a milder taste, so it works better in most salad recipes. It mixes well with lots of different foods and doesn’t cover up the taste of your fresh veggies and herbs. You can also learn more about the differences between tahini and peanut butter to help you choose.
Mighty Sesame Co.'s Tahini Products: Great Alternatives to Olive Oil
Mighty Sesame Co. makes really good tahini that’s perfect as an alternative for extra virgin olive oil in your salads and other recipes:
- Organic Tahini: If you like organic food, this one’s for you
- Whole Seed Tahini: Has a stronger nutty flavor
- Harissa Tahini: If you like spicy food, give this one a try
These tahinis come in squeeze bottles, so they’re easy to use on your salads. The squeeze bottles help you use just the right amount and waste less, which is good for the environment.
They’re also vegan, gluten-free, and kosher, which is good for people who need or choose to observe these dietary restrictions.
Fun Ways to Use Tahini Instead of Olive Oil
You can use tahini in lots of ways, not just in salad dressing:
- Spread it on sandwiches
- Mix it into hummus
- Pour it over roasted vegetables
- Use it to make creamy pasta sauce
- Add it to smoothies for extra protein
- Use it in baking for a nutty flavor
- Use it to marinate meat or tofu
- Add it to soups to make them creamier
There are so many ways to use tahini since it’s an ideal alternative to extra virgin olive oil. Try out different recipes and see what you like!
Final Thoughts: Give Tahini a Try!
Tahini is a great substitute for extra virgin olive oil in your salads and other foods. It’s creamy, tasty, and good for you. Whether you want to make your salads more interesting or try new recipes, tahini is a great choice as it makes your meals tastier and healthier.
Want to try tahini in your next salad? Check out Mighty Sesame Co.’s tahini products and start making yummy, healthy meals today!
