Here's How Long Your Tahini Will Stay Good Once You Open It (2024)

andra picincu

·3 min read

Tahini is a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine that packs a flavorful punch. You can serve it as a garnish or sauce, mix it into a cake batter, or use it as a condiment in pasta dishes,hot pots, or soups. Its versatility is hard to match, and you might end up buying a bunch of jars when you find a good deal. Luckily, tahini has a long shelf-life and can last unopened for one to two years in the pantry. This gives you plenty of time to use it up and try out different recipes.

Once opened,tahini can be refrigerated to maintain its freshness. Expect it to last fromthree weeks toone year, depending on its composition and storage conditions. You can also keep it in the pantry after opening the jar, but it may spoil more quickly. Refrigeration will also prevent it from going rancid, though it may result in a thicker consistency.

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Tahini's Shelf-Life May Vary From Brand To Brand

Here's How Long Your Tahini Will Stay Good Once You Open It (2)

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Easy Tahini

Just like peanut butter, tahini can last a long time due to its high fat content. This creamy condiment is made from ground sesame seeds, which are naturally rich in oils. Just a tablespoon of sesame butter, or tahini, boasts over 8 grams of fat. These oils act as preservatives, helping increase food shelf-life. The downside is that they can also oxidize and turn rancid over time.

Tahini's shelf-life also depends on storage conditions. For instance, excess moisture can lead to microbial growth, whereas light and heat may cause spoilage. The ingredients used play a role, too. Sometypes of tahini contain cocoa, sugar, natural flavors, and other extras that can affect the product's shelf-life. That's why you should be mindful of expiration dates and check your tahini for signs of spoilage before use.

Generally, pure tahini should last for several months after opening. The oil may separate and come to the top, but you can mix it back in with a teaspoon. This flavorful spread can also thicken over time, especially when refrigerated. If that's the case, give it a good stir or thin it with cold water, yogurt, or olive oil to restore its creamy goodness.

How To Tell If Your Tahini Has Gone Bad

Here's How Long Your Tahini Will Stay Good Once You Open It (3)

Expired tahini may have a sour smell and taste bitter or rancid. You may also notice significant changes in its texture, such as clumps or moldy spots. In some cases, it may smell like paint or gasoline. Give it a sniff, but don't taste it unless it seems safe to eat. Trust your sense of smell and watch out for any signs of mold or spoilage.

If your tahini is close to its expiration date, consider freezing it for later use. Simply pour it into ice cube trays or small jars, then store it in the freezer for a couple of months. Alternatively, use it up before it goes bad. For example, you could maketahini ice cream, hummus, or dips for veggies, chips, or pitta souvlaki.

Leftover tahini can also be a wonderful addition to brownies, cookies, pies, and cinnamon rolls. If you have a sweet tooth, mix tahini with sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and other ingredients tomake halva. Or you can try your hand at Cypriot tahinopitta, a type of pie that's perfect for breakfast or as a quick dessert.

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Here's How Long Your Tahini Will Stay Good Once You Open It (2024)

FAQs

Here's How Long Your Tahini Will Stay Good Once You Open It? ›

The shelf-life is 2+ years (fridge or pantry), but please reference the “best by” date for the freshest, most delectable flavor. How long does Soom Tahini last after opening? Soom Tahini can last for a year after opening. The only thing that will make tahini “turn” is contamination with moisture.

How long can tahini last once opened? ›

Once opened, tahini can be refrigerated to maintain its freshness. Expect it to last from three weeks to one year, depending on its composition and storage conditions. You can also keep it in the pantry after opening the jar, but it may spoil more quickly.

How do I know if my tahini is bad? ›

But how can you tell if it's spoiled? “Use your eyes and your nose first,” Zitelman says. “So if it looks different or if it smells different, then it probably is different.” Luckily, tahini is less prone to rancidity than sesame oil, although the reasons for that are not entirely clear.

Is tahini healthy? ›

Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds. It's rich in important nutrients like fiber, protein, copper, phosphorus, and selenium and may reduce heart disease risk and inflammation. What's more, test-tube and animal studies suggest that sesame seeds may have anticancer properties.

Can you freeze tahini? ›

Or you can also freeze tahini for 3-4 months, which is a great way to extend its shelf life. To freeze tahini, be sure to first give the tahini a thorough stir. Then transfer it to an airtight jar or container, leaving some headspace as the tahini may expand slightly as it freezes.

Why does my tahini taste bitter? ›

Bitterness is generally part and parcel of tahini - it's how ground sesame seeds taste. What you will find, however, is that some tahini can taste more bitter than others. This is down to a few things; like how that particular tahini is processed, or the levels of something called oxalic acid in the hulls of the seeds.

What can I use instead of tahini? ›

Because tahini is the butter of sesame seeds, you might want to consider a nut or seed butter as a go-to substitute. Other options include greek yogurt and sesame oil. These tahini substitutes will complement your dish since they are all sources of healthy fats and contribute to a creamy consistency.

How long does tahini last after opening Reddit? ›

My experience is that both seem fine after months in a cupboard (after opening). It depends how long a jar lasts for you. If you use it up in a month or two, no need to refrigerate, but it can go rancid long-term.

What should tahini taste like? ›

Tahini tastes like its source ingredient—sesame seeds. Tahini has a savory, bitter, and nutty flavor profile. It is high in fat content and has an oily consistency. Tahini is typically made from hulled white sesame seeds and is light in color.

What does expired tahini taste like? ›

The taste will be sour, kind of metallic, and just plain weird. Utilizing a trusty sniff test is another way of finding out if it's time for your tahini to take a one-way trip to the bin. But something that's important to remember is that ground sesame seeds do naturally have a slightly earthy, bitter aftertaste.

Should you store tahini upside down? ›

Store Tahini, upside down, in the pantry. Tahini doesn't need to be refrigerated and can be stored for a long time in a dry and cool pantry. It is advised to store the tahini jar upside down as the sesame oil will separate from the paste. Turn upright and shake well before use.

When should I eat tahini? ›

Here are eight simple ideas for making the most out of the next can of tahini you purchase.
  1. Dip raw veggies in it. ...
  2. Spread it on toast. ...
  3. Drizzle it on falafel. ...
  4. Use it to make Tarator sauce. ...
  5. Dress your salad with it. ...
  6. Make a double sesame burger. ...
  7. Stir it into soup. ...
  8. Have main course baba ganoush.

How long does tahini dressing last in the fridge? ›

Leftover tahini dressing will keep in the fridge for up to 14 days. For best results, store in an airtight container such as a glass mason jar. After refrigeration, the dressing can become much thicker and separate so give it a good store before using again. Freezing this dressing isn't recommended.

What does bad tahini taste like? ›

It should be slightly thinner than peanut butter, but still have a creamy texture, and the flavor should be predominantly of toasted sesame. It should feel velvety, smooth and rich. The flavor should be savory and nutty. If it tastes bitter and chalky, it's not good tahini.

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