4.7 from 123 votes
Classic Baba Ghanoush
Classic Baba Ghanoush is a smoky Middle Eastern dip made from roasted eggplants mashed with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, and spices. The texture is creamy with slight chunkiness, featuring a balance of tangy lemon, earthy tahini, and a mild heat from cayenne pepper. Olive oil and fresh parsley garnish add richness and freshness, making it a versatile dip or appetizer.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings:
12
servings
Calories:
60 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 2 eggplant about 3 lbs. total), roasted, medium
- 1/3 cup tahini from light seeds, not "dark tahini"
- 3 cloves garlic roasted (or 1 raw, crushed)
- 2 whole lemon or more to taste, fresh, juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
- parsley fresh, for garnish, optional; can top with paprika or smoked paprika
- paprika
- smoked paprika
Instructions
- Roast the eggplant. You will find that roasting over an open flame will produce richer smoky flavor. For instructions, click here. Place the roasted eggplant pulp into a bowl with half of the smoky cooking liquid. Discard the skin and reserve the remaining cooking liquid. Let the eggplant return to room temperature.
- Add tahini, garlic, fresh lemon juice, cumin, salt, cayenne pepper and 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil to the bowl. Use a fork and/or spoon to mash together the mixture, using firm pressure to break up the tahini paste, roasted garlic, and any stringiness of the eggplant. Mix until well combined. Note- I don't recommend using a food processor here, the texture is most authentic when using a fork to mash.Taste the dip. Add additional tahini, lemon juice, salt or cayenne pepper, if desired. The cayenne is extremely spicy, so add with care.
- Drizzle with olive oil, if desired - just a small amount will do. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve as a dip with pita bread, crackers or chips. If you prefer a cold dip, chill in the refrigerator prior to garnish. Store refrigerated in an airtight container.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
60kcal
(3%)
Carbohydrates
6g
(2%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
3g
(5%)
Sodium
101mg
(4%)
Potassium
208mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
20IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
2.3mg
(3%)
Calcium
18mg
(2%)
Iron
0.5mg
(3%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 60
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 60kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Sodium | 101mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 208mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 20IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 2.3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 18mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.5mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.