Lebanese Baba Ghanoush

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This baba ghanoush or baba ghanouj recipe is a smokey, creamy, flavorful dip that you can make with very little preparation! It’s a tasty 5 ingredient appetizer or snack made with oven or grill roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon, garlic, and salt. What I love about it is that, just like hummus, it’s easy to make, vegan, gluten-free, and pairs well with so many veggies, crackers, and dippers!

My recipe for Baba Ganoush is one I learned from my Lebanese parents. It’s authentic, simple, and the perfect accompaniment to your party platters. So if you’re looking for an alternative dip to hummus, you’ve gotta try this one!

What is baba ghanoush?

Baba Ghanoush is basically an eggplant dip. The hero ingredient is eggplant, which gets sweet and smoky on the grill or in the oven. And it’s mixed with three other pantry staple Mediterranean ingredients: fresh garlic, fresh lemon juice, and tahini (sesame paste) to bind it all together. It’s basically like hummus’ lesser-known cousin, but it’s just as amazing and just as easy to make!

No one really knows where the name came from, but in Arabic, baba means father, and ghanoush means spoiled. Put it together, and it’s just fun to say! You’re going to love this dish as much as you’ll love saying its name!

Why you’ll love this baba ganoush recipe

• 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.
• Healthy and nutritious: This delicious dip is packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the eggplant, as well as healthy fats and proteins from the tahini.

Ingredients to make authentic baba ganoush

1. Eggplant: Eggplant gives Baba Ghanoush its unique flavor and texture. To pick the right eggplant, look for one that is firm, heavy for its size, and has smooth, shiny skin. Avoid those with wrinkled or blemished skin, as they may be overripe or damaged.
2. Tahini: Made from ground sesame seeds, tahini adds a rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture to the dish. It also contributes to the healthy fats and protein content of Baba Ghanoush.
3. Lemon juice: This essential ingredient brightens up the flavors of the dip and adds a touch of tanginess that complements the smokiness of the roasted eggplant.
4. Garlic cloves: Garlic adds an aromatic depth and bold flavor to Baba Ghanoush, creating a balance between the smokiness of the eggplant and the tanginess of the lemon juice.
5. Salt: Just a pinch of salt is needed to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients and bring out the natural sweetness of the roasted eggplant.

How to make traditional baba ganoush

Making baba ganoush is really super simple – roast the eggplant and blend it with the other ingredients – that’s it!

Roast the eggplant

1. Wrap eggplant in aluminum foil and roast.
2. Unwrap the eggplant and allow it to cool.
3. When the eggplant is cool to the touch, cut off the top and peel off the skin.
4. Discard the skin, keeping only the flesh of the eggplant.

blend the ingredients

1. Place the flesh of the eggplant in a food processor or blender. Add the lemon juice, tahini, garlic cloves, and salt.
2. Pulse a few times until the ingredients are incorporated, but the mixture still looks chunky.

RECIPE VIDEO TUTORIAL

Tips for making the best baba ghanouj

1. Select high-quality ingredients. There are only 4 ingredients in this homemade baba ganoush recipe. Because of the minimal items, it’s important that each of those ingredients is high quality. That means fresh garlic, fresh lemon juice, and tahini made with only sesame seed paste.
2. Strain the eggplant to remove excess liquid. You can strain the whole eggplant or chop it into smaller pieces and strain it that way. I usually just let it sit for 10 minutes in a colander to cool and release excess liquid. This step is not mandatory and you can just blend the liquid with.
3. Adjust the ingredients to your taste. When it comes to baba ganoush, and actually most Lebanese dips, you can really tinker with the proportions to make it your own. So adjust the tahini, make it more lemony or more garlicky to your taste.
4. Allow the dip to set in the fridge. You’ll notice that the dip will get thicker as it cools and sets in the fridge. That’s because any liquid released from the roasted eggplant in addition to the natural fats from the tahini, will solidify.

What to serve with baba ganoush

• Pita bread or homemade pita chips. Just like hummus, this is perfect for dipping with pita!
• Sandwiches. This works really well as a spread in sandwiches like the Roasted cauliflower pita sandwiches. You can also try using in this veggie and hummus sandwich instead of the hummus.
• Salads. Instead of using dressing in a salad, you can actually a large dollop of this and mix it around with the salad ingredients or thin it out with some water and lemon juice. It would work well with these Cauliflower Pita Sandwiches

How to store baba ganoush

Store your baba ganoush in the fridge in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid.

How long will baba ganoush last in the fridge?

Baba ganoush will keep well in the fridge for around 7 days in an airtight container.

Can i freeze baba ganoush?

Yes, it freezes well too. Let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour, and then place it in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Frequently asked questions

This Baba Ganoush is totally creamy, and decadent. It has a wonderful balance of smokey and tangy flavor from the roasted eggplant and the lemon. I love that it’s super versatile, like hummus. It pairs with pita bread, vegetables, pretzels, crackers, or even as a condiment in your favorite sandwich.

More Middle Eastern dips:

• Lebanese Style Hummus
• Roasted Garlic Hummus
• Muhammara
• Creamy Feta Dip
• Lebanese Toum

If you try this feel good Baba Ghanoush recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!