How Much Cashew Nut to Substitute for Tahini
Works for baking, sauteing, and slow cook. Cashew Nut brings a noticeably different flavor than Tahini.
How much cashew nut equals one cup of tahini?
Use 1 cup blended cashews (soaked and pureed with a little water) per 1 cup tahini.
Health notes
Compared with Tahini, Cashew Nut has: less fat (43.9g vs 48g per 100g in Tahini), more saturated fat (7.8g vs 6.7g per 100g in Tahini), and more carbs (30.2g vs 26.2g per 100g in Tahini).
Using cashew nut as a tahini substitute in baking
Blend soaked cashews smooth first; use 1:1. Bakes come out sweeter with less bitterness and no sesame taste.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1:1 as a stir-in sauce base once blended; won't emulsify with lemon juice like tahini does.
- Slow Cook
1:1 blended into stews or braises for creaminess; adds sweetness instead of sesame depth.
- Steaming
Blend into a paste first; stir into steamed vegetables off heat for creaminess.
- Raw Cold
1:1 in dips and dressings once blended smooth with water or oil.
- Drinks
1:1 blended into smoothies or shakes for a creamy, nutty body.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Frying
Not recommended: Cashew paste isn't for frying itself; use whole cashews for crunch or skip this method for sauces.
- Grilling
Not recommended: Use whole toasted cashews as a topping instead of a basting paste; texture differs a lot.
FAQ
- How much cashew nut equals one cup of tahini?
Use 1 cup blended cashews (soaked and pureed with a little water) per 1 cup tahini.
- Can I substitute cashew nut for Tahini in baking?
Yes. Blend soaked cashews smooth first; use 1:1. Bakes come out sweeter with less bitterness and no sesame taste. Not recommended: Cashew paste isn't for frying itself; use whole cashews for crunch or skip this method for sauces.
- How much cashew nut to use as a tahini substitute?
Sweeter and milder than tahini; add a little sesame oil or lemon to compensate.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Cashew Nut for Tahini?
Cashew nut brings a noticeably different flavor than tahini.
- How does texture change when substituting Cashew Nut for Tahini?
Cashew nut smooth when blended well, but can be grainier than tahini and needs more added liquid.
- What else should I know about substituting Cashew Nut for Tahini?
For hummus, dressings, and creamy sauces. Expect a sweeter, milder result without the bitter sesame edge or natural emulsifying power. Skip recipes that lean on tahini's grassy, bitter sesame flavor as the main note. Add lemon juice or a splash of sesame oil to bring back some tang and depth. Blend thoroughly since raw cashew paste can be grainier than tahini.
- What still works when substituting Cashew Nut for Tahini?
Cashew nut still works as a fat and texture.
- What won't work when substituting Cashew Nut for Tahini?
Cashew nut won't work as a emulsifier and flavor carrier.
- How well does Cashew Nut match Tahini?
Cashew nut is okay on structure, good on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Cashew Nut for Tahini?
Cashew nut is slightly higher in sat. fat. Overall, calories, fat, and protein are similar.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Cashew Nut for Tahini?
The flavor shifts toward more sweet, less bitter, less pungent, and less umami notes.