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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!
Table of Contents
- What is baba ghanoush?
- Why you’ll love this baba ganoush recipe
- Ingredients to make authentic baba ganoush
- How to make traditional baba ganoush
- RECIPE VIDEO TUTORIAL
- Tips for making the best baba ghanouj
- What to serve with baba ganoush
- How to store baba ganoush
- Frequently asked questions
- More Middle Eastern dips:
- Lebanese Baba Ghanoush Recipe
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Wrap eggplant in aluminum foil and roast.
- Unwrap the eggplant and allow it to cool.
- When the eggplant is cool to the touch, cut off the top and peel off the skin.
- Discard the skin, keeping only the flesh of the eggplant.
blend the ingredients
- Place the flesh of the eggplant in a food processor or blender. Add the lemon juice, tahini, garlic cloves, and salt.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Baba Ghanoush can be enjoyed with pita bread, fresh vegetables, grilled or roasted veggies, in sandwiches or wraps, as part of a mezze platter, in rice or grain bowls, or even as a salad dressing.
Baba Ghanoush may taste bitter due to factors like the choice of eggplant, insufficient roasting, or the use of too much garlic, lemon juice, or low-quality tahini. To avoid bitterness, select younger eggplants (the seeds are less bitter), ensure proper roasting, and use fresh, high-quality ingredients while adjusting quantities to suit your taste preferences.
Yes, you can make Baba Ghanoush without a food processor or blender. Instead of using an electric appliance, simply mash the roasted eggplant flesh with a fork or potato masher in a mixing bowl. Add the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt, and then continue to mash and mix the ingredients until you achieve a slightly chunky or smooth consistency, depending on your preference. This method gives you a more rustic texture but still delivers the delicious flavors of Baba Ghanoush.
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:
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Lebanese Baba Ghanoush
Video
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F degrees.
- Wrap eggplant in aluminum foil and roast for 45-60 minutes until the eggplant is soft when poked with a fork or knife. Unwrap the eggplant and allow it to cool for 10 minutes.
- When the eggplant is cool to the touch, cut off the top and peel off the skin. Discard the skin, keeping only the flesh of the eggplant.
- Place the flesh of the eggplant in a food processor or blender. Add the lemon juice, tahini, garlic cloves and salt. Pulse a few times until the ingredients are incorporated but the mixture still looks chunky.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Hey YUMNA !!
I made the Baba Ghanoush, and it’s amazing!! Thank you
Mirella
You’re so welcome! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Hi, I was told by people in a Syrian food shop that if it’s like this, it’s Muttabal, and Baba Ghanoush is the name for a similar dip with tomato and no tahini.
I’ve been trying to work this out: is that just the way they use these words in Syria, or is it how all Arabs use these words?
Seeing as (as I understand it) you’ve got Lebanese family I want to ask: does your family call this dip baba ghanoush? Thanks!
I believe that’s how it’s prepared by Syrians! Depending on where you’re from, you’re likely to prepare baba ghanoush differently. This recipe is what my Lebanese family and I call baba ghanoush!
Hello Yumna!
Have you tried baking the eggplants in an air fryer instead of an oven? If so, what would be the preferred temperature and cooking time?
Thank you!
Hi, Lela! I have not tried that yet, but I think it could work!
Thank you so much for this eggplant simple recipe!! I love eggplants and will be making this spread tomorrow! I will try to use sunflower oil it’s my favorite
You’re so welcome! Sounds perfect!
I LOVE babaganoush !
Such a staple!
I will try this recipe tonight. Just wanted to email that a restaurant owner from Palestine living now in US told me that roasted cauliflower works great too! Just sub for eggplant. Obviously, it’s not baba ghanoush but traditional Mediterranean cuisine.
Hope you enjoy! I should definitely try that!
So the major issue for me was my eggplant was too seedy, which means it was overly ripe even though I just bought it. So another store to buy it. I also might cut in half and then roast vs aluminum foil and then cut in half. Will get there
I first made baba ganoush years ago, but remember it as a casserole dish, not a dip. Am I the only one who has made it for dinner ?
I have yet to do that, but I could easily eat this in one sitting because it’s just so good!
Becoming a staple for me! So easy to make and so delicious
Hi there,
I’d like to try this dip, it looks delicious! Are you able to provide the approximate weight of the cooked eggplant flesh I’d need for the recipe please? Thanks in advance 🙂
Thank you! A large eggplant is roughly 265 grams.
Hi Yumna,
It’s me again Gerardo. I made this today and it was a hit again 2nd time I made your recipe and it never fail my daughter who doesn’t it eggplant but this she’s loving it. This is my wife’s favorite and she said 100% yummmy. Thanks for the recipe again. I’m going to try all the recipes you have (if I can find the ingredients). Cheers
Hi, Gerardo! That’s amazing! I’m so glad to hear that both your daughter and wife enjoyed this recipe too. Hope you continue to enjoy the recipes on my website!
265 grams? 😅😅
No way!