8 Best Tahini Substitutes and How to Use Them
Ran out of tahini halfway through a recipe? It happens. The good news is you’ve still got options. Mighty Sesame tahini, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, almond butter, and a few other pantry staples can step in—depending on whether you need creaminess, richness, or that signature sesame flavor.
Below is a simple breakdown of the best tahini substitutes, when to use each substitute for tahini, and what to expect in your finished dish.
The Best Tahini Substitutes
1. Mighty Sesame Tahini (Stick With Real Tahini)
If you’re only searching for a tahini alternative because you’ve run out, the closest match is still the real thing.
Mighty Sesame makes it easy to keep tahini on hand. Our Organic Tahini in a squeeze bottle is made with just one ingredient: roasted, hulled organic sesame seeds. No stirring, no mess—just shake and squeeze.
Prefer something more traditional? The Classic Tahini Tub delivers smooth, creamy tahini made from high-quality sesame seeds, perfect for baking, blending, or spooning straight into recipes.
If you’re truly out, though, the substitutes below will help keep your recipe moving.
2. Cashew Butter
Cashew butter is one of the closest all-around swaps for tahini. It’s smooth, creamy, and mild, allowing flavors like lemon, garlic, herbs, and spices to shine.
Use unsweetened cashew butter in hummus, dressings, dips, and sauces. Start with a 1:1 swap, then thin with water or lemon juice if needed.
While it won’t bring sesame flavor, it closely matches the creamy texture tahini is known for.
3. Sunflower Seed Butter
Sunflower seed butter is a strong nut-free tahini alternative with a similar thick, creamy consistency.
Choose an unsweetened version for savory recipes like dips, dressings, hummus-style spreads, and cold sauces.
If you want a bit more depth (and sesame isn’t an issue), a small drizzle of toasted sesame oil can help bring the flavor closer.
4. Almond Butter
Almond butter is another solid tahini alternative when texture matters most. It blends smoothly into sauces, smoothies, baked goods, and some dips.
Its flavor is slightly sweeter and more nut-forward than tahini, so you may need to adjust salt, lemon, garlic, or spices in savory dishes.
For the most flexibility, stick with unsweetened almond butter.
5. Smooth Peanut Butter
Can peanut butter substitute tahini? Sometimes.
It offers a similar creamy texture, but the flavor is much stronger and can easily dominate in hummus or tahini-style dressings.
It works best in cookies, cakes, chocolate desserts, sauces, and recipes where a bold peanut flavor fits naturally.
Interestingly, the swap also works in reverse—tahini can replace peanut butter in many spreads, sauces, and baked recipes when you want a sesame-forward twist.
6. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt adds creaminess to cold dips, spreads, and dressings, though it does shift the flavor noticeably.
Expect a tangier, lighter result compared to tahini’s nutty richness. A drizzle of olive oil can help restore some body if needed.
It’s best suited for cold or no-cook recipes, since it doesn’t hold up well to heat.
7. Chinese Sesame Paste or Black Sesame Paste
If keeping sesame flavor is the priority, another sesame paste can be an excellent option.
Chinese sesame paste is made from more deeply roasted sesame seeds, giving it a richer, toastier flavor than most tahini. Black sesame paste also delivers strong sesame notes but will noticeably darken your dish.
If you need a sesame paste substitute, tahini can also work in the opposite direction. Just keep in mind that sesame pastes vary widely in roast level, texture, and intensity depending on the brand.
8. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil provides sesame flavor, but it does not replace tahini’s creamy texture.
Use it sparingly in marinades, dressings, noodles, and sauces where aroma and depth matter more than thickness. Toasted sesame oil is especially potent, so a little goes a long way.
For creamy recipes, try combining a small amount of sesame oil with cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or Greek yogurt to better mimic tahini’s body.
Need the reverse swap? Check out our guide to the best sesame oil substitutes.
9. Homemade Tahini
If you have sesame seeds in the pantry, homemade tahini is about as close as you can get to the real thing.
Simply blend or process sesame seeds into a smooth paste. A small splash of neutral oil can help create a creamier texture if needed.
It works in hummus, dressings, sauces, dips, and nearly any recipe that calls for store-bought tahini.
More Ways to Cook With Tahini
Once tahini is back in your kitchen, there’s plenty more you can do with it beyond hummus.
Browse our tahini recipes for breakfast ideas, salads, sauces, mains, and desserts. You can also visit our tahini FAQ for quick answers about Mighty Sesame products.
Want to avoid running out again? Try the Mighty Sesame Organic Tahini or explore the Classic Tahini Tub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good substitute for tahini?
Cashew butter and sunflower seed butter are two of the best tahini substitutes for achieving a similar creamy texture. Almond butter also works well, while Greek yogurt is a good option for cold dips and dressings.
If sesame flavor is the priority, sesame paste or a small amount of sesame oil may be a better fit.
Can peanut butter replace tahini?
Yes, smooth peanut butter can replace tahini in some recipes, especially baked goods, desserts, and sauces where its bold flavor works well.
For hummus, dressings, and more delicate savory dishes, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter usually delivers a closer, milder result.
No Tahini? You’ve Still Got Options
Running out of tahini doesn’t have to derail your recipe. Cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, almond butter, Greek yogurt, sesame paste, and sesame oil can all work depending on what you’re making.
But when you want that true sesame flavor and signature creamy texture, nothing quite replaces tahini itself. Keep Mighty Sesame on hand for your next hummus, dressing, sauce, or dessert—and explore our tahini recipes for your next kitchen win.
