How Much Olive Oil to Substitute for Tahini
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Olive Oil keeps a similar flavor profile to Tahini.
How much olive oil equals one cup of and add a pinch of salt?
Use 1:1 olive oil for tahini. In baking, use 3/4 cup per cup and add a pinch of salt.
Health notes
Compared with Tahini, Olive Oil has: more calories (884 vs 570 per 100g in Tahini), more fat (100g vs 48g per 100g in Tahini), more saturated fat (13.8g vs 6.7g per 100g in Tahini), less protein (0g vs 17.8g per 100g in Tahini), and less carbs (0g vs 26.2g per 100g in Tahini).
Using olive oil as a tahini substitute in baking
Use 3/4 cup per cup tahini; add a pinch of salt. Cakes stay moist but won't brown as deeply.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1:1 swap works; lower smoke point than tahini so watch the heat.
- Frying
1:1; crisp results with a fruitier finish. Use light olive oil for high heat.
- Slow Cook
1:1; adds body without sesame depth. Works in braises and stews.
- Grilling
Brush on at 1:1 for lean proteins and vegetables.
- Raw Cold
1:1 in dressings and dips. Adds fruity, herbaceous notes.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Steaming
Not recommended: oil won't emulsify in steam.
- Drinks
Not recommended: oil doesn't dissolve in liquids.
FAQ
- How much olive oil equals one cup of and add a pinch of salt?
Use 1:1 olive oil for tahini. In baking, use 3/4 cup per cup and add a pinch of salt.
- Can I substitute olive oil for Tahini in baking?
Yes. Use 3/4 cup per cup tahini; add a pinch of salt. Cakes stay moist but won't brown as deeply. Not recommended: oil won't emulsify in steam.
- How much olive oil to use as a tahini substitute?
Milder and more herbaceous; add lemon juice, garlic, or warm spices.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Olive Oil for Tahini?
Olive oil keeps a similar flavor profile to tahini.
- How does texture change when substituting Olive Oil for Tahini?
Olive oil softer crumb in bakes, less spread in cookies, paler browning. Thinner, pourable consistency in sauces.
- What else should I know about substituting Olive Oil for Tahini?
For sauteing, frying, dressings, and slow-cooked dishes. Expect softer, moister crumb with less browning. Skip steaming and drinks. Olive oil won't emulsify like tahini. Add lemon juice or garlic to sharpen flavor.
- What still works when substituting Olive Oil for Tahini?
Olive oil still works as a fat, flavor carrier, and emulsifier.
- How well does Olive Oil match Tahini?
Olive oil is okay on structure, good on heat, and okay on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Olive Oil for Tahini?
Olive oil has about x2 more calories, fat, and sat. fat. Olive oil has no protein, while tahini has some.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Olive Oil for Tahini?
The flavor shifts toward less sweet, more acidic, less bitter, and less umami notes.