Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

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Delicious creamy restaurant style baba ganoush made with roasted eggplants, garlic, lemon juice, tahini paste, and olive oil! This is a classic baba ganoush recipe that is sure to please everyone!

Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (1)Creamy homemade baba ganoush, and with a secret ingredient that makes it taste just as good as your favorite restaurants version of it — and almost better.

I have been chipping and dipping on this baba ganoush for almost 2 weeks now! All by myself. And totally, unintentionally keeping this recipe from you. The truth is, I made baba ganoush to use as sauce on my shawarma bowls (coming soon!) and hadn’t even thought about putting a recipe up on the blog.

Until now that is. Because I use this roasted eggplant dip as a sauce, as a dip, and a spread on sandwiches + naanwiches. And so I thought, well hey now, there’s got to be at least one other person on the planet that wants to put this on everything. I mean, baba ganoush + homemade falafels? Totally meant to be together. Heck you could even replace the tahini dressing in this salad with a dollop of baba ganoush.

The possibilities are endless I tell you!

Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2)The process is simple. You’re going to roast your eggplants until they are all soft and wrinkly. <– Pretty much everything you DON’T want to become in the next 50 years. Keep in mind that we’re roasted them at 375ºF for at least an hour and fifteen minutes and you may actually need a little longer depending on the size of your eggplants. Also, thelonger weroast theeggplants, the smokier the flavor of the baba ganoush. Then place them in a bowl immediately and cover them up. Also, try not to use a metal bowl as it tends to heat up pretty fast when you place a hot object in it. *OUCH*.

Then comes the gross/hands on part. Peel the skin away from the meatand let the meat of the eggplant collect in a sieve. OH and if your eggplant has a TON of seeds, you grab the entire center and just chuck it. Remember to keep as much of the flesh as you can and discard only the center core with the seeds attached. Seeds tend to make baba ganoush a little bitter. And we definitely don’t want that. Add the salt and let it just hang out for a bit. The salt helps remove water which concentrates the flavors a little more. Also, you can freeze the eggplant mixture after this step until you’re ready to make baba ganoush.

Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (3)And the SECRETto good baba ganoush is tomake it at least one day ahead of time. <– How perfect is that for parties? You actually HAVE TO make it ahead of time. Like homemade hummus, baba ganoush tastes best when prepared in advanced and refrigerated. Something about all those flavors getting together and flavoring the dip.

I have one major tip that I always applywhen making mytraditional hummus recipeand it applies to baba ganoush too. Blend the garlic, tahini, and lemon juice together before you toss everything else into the food processor. This gives the tahini a chance to loosen up a bit because of the lemon juice and the garlic to break down a little more and flavors more evenly.

Fresh, homemade, and healthy. Oh and I almost forgot to tell you the secret ingredient. It’s YOGURT!Just plain old yogurt and just 2 tablespoons of it really helps bring that tang that you get in restaurant style baba ganoush. I actually saw them make it this way at a local restaurant and have been doing it ever since.

Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (4)

Yield: ~2 cups

Homemade Baba Ganoush

Delicious creamy restaurant style baba ganoush made with roasted eggplants, garlic, lemon juice, tahini paste, and olive oil! This is a classic baba ganoush recipe that is sure to please everyone!

Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (5)

Ingredients

  • 2 medium eggplants
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons tahini paste
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (or more to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 pinch cayenne (or more if you want it spicy)
  • 2 tablespoons EACH olive oil AND yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a metal baking sheet with a sheet of foil. Place a wire baking rack on top, set aside.
  2. ROASTING EGGPLANTS: Pierce holes into the eggplant (about 1/4 inch deep or so) with a knife or fork. Spray the eggplants with cooking spray, place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 65-75 minutes. Turn halfway through the cooking time. If the eggplants have not wrinkled and lightened in color, continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes. Eggplants are done when easily pierced with knife or fork. You can bake the eggplants for up to 90 minutes if you'd like the baba ganoush to have a deeper flavor. Remove from oven, place the eggplants in a bowl and cover the bowl with foil. Allow the eggplants to steam in the bowl for at least 20-25 minutes. This will help make it easier to peel.
  3. Remove the skin from the eggplants and collect the flesh in a sieve placed over a bowl. Discard the skin. You can remove the center core if your eggplants have too many seeds. Too many seeds will make your baba ganoush bitter. Sprinkle with salt. Give it a good mix and allow the eggplants to drain for 15 minutes. Squeeze out as much water as you can from the eggplants before blending.
  4. ASSEMBLY: Combine the lemon juice, tahini paste, and minced garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Give it a few pulses until smooth. Add the eggplant meat, cumin powder, cayenne, and olive oil to the food processor and process to desired texture. Stir in the yogurt and parsley. Adjust seasonings to preference. Place baba ganoush in a bowl, covered with plastic wrap and allow to cool for at least 8 hours. Serve with pita chips and veggies.

Notes

  • You can add additional cumin if you like it to be a bit smokier. We found the 1/4 teaspoon to be perfect for our taste.

Have you made this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I'd love to see what you made!

Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (6)

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Appetizers Comfort Foods Nibbles Snacksbaba ganoush dip eggplant eggplant dip homemade dip hummus pine nuts roasted eggplant dip vegan vegetarian yogurt

originally published on Mar 3, 2016 (last updated May 17, 2020)

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13 comments on “Homemade Baba Ganoush”

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  1. Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (7)

    Sabrina Reply

    I can’t believe I haven’t made baba ganoush yet! Yours looks amazing!

  2. Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (8)

    Julia Reply

    Could I use plain Greek yogurt?

    • Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (9)

      Marzia Reply

      Sure!

  3. Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (10)

    Channing Reply

    What kind of yogurt would you suggest?

    • Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (11)

      Marzia Reply

      Regular plain yogurt is what I used. Greek yogurt will also do the trick!

  4. Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (12)

    Suzanne Reply

    How far in advance can you make this before serving and how long does it last?

    • Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (13)

      Marzia Reply

      I’ve made it 1-2 days in advance and the flavors actually intensify as it sits. Leftovers will last about 3-4 days when covered and refrigerated.

  5. Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (14)

    Kate Reply

    Would it be better to peel and seed the eggplant before roasting it? Or does roasting it whole preserve it’s flavor/smokiness?

    • Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (15)

      Marzia Reply

      I always roast eggplants with the peel on so not too sure what the outcome would be if you didn’t. I feel it may end up becoming watery. Please use your best judgement.

  6. Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (16)

    Kate Reply

    Hi!!

    I made a batch yesterday and just now tried it and all I want is to sit in front of my favorite Netflix show and eat this all day!!! I eat paleo so I can’t have chickpea hummus which breaks my heart, so having your recipe handy will be so great and making it homemade is always better than store bought. Thank you for sharing, I love it!!

    4.5

  7. Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (17)

    Madison Reply

    Hi Marzia! I absolutely love your baba ganoush and make it almost every week… I’m on a new diet and I was wondering if you happened to have the nutritional information for it? I just need the carbs, sugar, fiber, and protein if you know it! Thanks for such a great recipe!

  8. Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (18)

    Jama Reply

    I tried this recipe and brought it to a picnic.
    so delicous.

    remember, you can always cover the hot bowl with a plate instead of foil, it´s easy to do for the environment.

  9. Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (19)

    MD Reply

    Can you give approximate weight of 2 medium eggplants?

Homemade Baba Ganoush Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients for baba ganoush? ›

Baba ganoush is a Mediterranean eggplant dip made from roasted or grilled eggplant, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Like hummus, it's delicious with pita or fresh veggies, but its silky texture and irresistible smoky flavor set it apart. This baba ganoush recipe is a must-try summer dip!

How do you get the bitterness out of baba ganoush? ›

For the creamiest result, add the oil slowly in a thin stream as it blends instead of just adding it to the bowl with the rest of the ingredients. If your Baba Ganoush tastes bitter, add a half teaspoon of baking soda at a time and blend well (tasting in between) to remove bitterness from the dish.

Is baba ganoush healthy or unhealthy? ›

Yes, baba ganoush is healthy. The main ingredient is eggplant, which is low in calories and carbohydrates and high in fiber. It's also a good source of vitamins and minerals like potassium and vitamin K. It's also lower in calories than hummus since it's mostly made of eggplant versus chickpeas.

Is baba ganoush healthier than hummus? ›

In general, however, although you can gain more nutritional benefits from chickpeas than from eggplant, baba ganoush is healthier than hummus which is one major difference between baba ganoush and hummus. That is because 1 cup of chickpeas is equal to two or more eggplants.

How long does homemade baba ganoush last in the fridge? ›

Turn your eggplant into baba ganoush promptly, since overripe eggplant tastes more bitter. Storage suggestions: Leftover baba ganoush can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4 days (I think it's best served fresh, but some say it tastes better after a day or two).

What pairs well with baba ganoush? ›

Rich, smoky flavor: The unique, smoky taste of Baba Ghanoush comes from roasting the eggplant, which gives it a deep, earthy flavor that people can't get enough of. Creamy texture: Baba Ghanoush has a smooth and velvety texture, making it a perfect dip for pita chips, vegetables, or as a spread in sandwiches and wraps.

Why does baba ganoush taste bad? ›

The way you prepare baba ganoush, in fact, solves all three things I hate about eggplant. The bitterness: apparently, much of the bitterness is in the moisture of the eggplant, which is why some people swear by salting it beforehand, which draws out liquid.

What spice takes away bitterness? ›

Spices mask bitter flavors, so don't be shy. Add some spicy peppers or powders to your cooking, or sprinkle some onto your dishes for a little bit of extra heat. Black pepper in particular has compounds that counteract bitterness. Some other great spices include cayenne, red pepper, paprika, and chili powder.

What is the best store-bought baba ganoush? ›

In first place, the baba ghanoush from Whole Foods ($5.99/pound) had "good smoke and garlic notes." Tasters called it "smooth with some seeds for interest," and "well seasoned, with a nice hint of eggplant." One said it was "surprisingly good for the supermarket." Four would buy this brand and one might.

What does Baba mean in baba ganoush? ›

Etymology. The word bābā in Arabic means 'father' and is also a term of endearment, while ġannūj could be a personal name. The word combination is also interpreted as "father of coquetry" or "indulged/pampered/flirtatious daddy" or "spoiled old daddy".

Do the Greeks eat baba ganoush? ›

Baba Ghanoush is eaten in many Middle Eastern countries such as Syria, Lebanon and extending as far as the territorial reach of the Ottoman empire. But Baba Ghanoush also is big in Brazil and West India. Romanians and Greeks also consume the appetizer.

What is the myth of baba ganoush? ›

baba ghanoush, relish with Middle Eastern origins that is made of eggplant (aubergine) blended with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and salt. The Arabic term for the dish means “pampered daddy,” the person in question being, legend has it, a sultan spoiled with a concoction invented by a member of his harem.

Is baba ganoush anti inflammatory? ›

It has been linked to improved heart health, and its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make it a great addition to a healthy diet. A Plant-Based Option: For vegetarians, vegans, or anyone leaning towards plant-based diets, baba ganoush is an excellent choice.

What's the difference between baba ganoush and Moutabal? ›

The principle difference is the tahini – the sesame purée, but there are others. In Moutabbal, tahini is mixed with the smoked aubergine to create a paste-like dip served with warmed or crispy bread. In Baba Ghanoush, no tahini is used and the smoked aubergine is mixed with onions, tomatoes and other vegetables.

What does baba ganoush mean literally? ›

What is baba ganoush? In Arabic, “baba” means father and “ghanoush” means spoiled. This “spoiled dad” dip is the creamier companion to hummus. Popular in Arab countries throughout the Middle East, it is also a common appetizer on the Sephardic Jewish table.

Is baba ganoush good for diabetics? ›

Eggplants are a good source of dietary fibre, which can help slow down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, preventing rapid spikes in blood sugar. Even though Baba Ganoush can be diabetes-friendly, portion control is still key. Monitor the quantity you consume to manage your carbohydrate intake.

Does baba ganoush contain yogurt? ›

Baba ganoush is a Middle Eastern dip made from roasted eggplants, garlic, lemon juice, and various other ingredients like tahini, parsley, or yogurt. It's usually served with pita bread or vegetables for dipping.

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