Lebanese Baba Ganoush ~ Vegan Recipe (2024)

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Vegan Baba Ganoush Lebanese recipe from scratch, a creamy Middle Eastern Levantine dip (originally Lebanese) meaning “ spoiled dad “ or as the French call it “caviar d’aubergines” or eggplant caviar. Made with roasted eggplants, tahini, lemon, garlic and smoky spices, this eggplant dip is easy to make, dairy free + gluten free!

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How to Make the Best Baba Ganoush Lebanese Recipe

  1. Cooking the eggplant! The most crucial step of this recipe is cooking the eggplant. It must get soft and most importantly smoky. So the best way to achieve that deep flavor throughout is to cook them on the grill, cast iron skillet or under the broiler until charred all over. Roasting in the oven is also an option but will lack in the smokiness so consider that. Allow them to sit until cool enough to handle before peeling the charred skins.
  2. The texture! I prefer to hand chop the eggplants and keep a little texture in my dip while still creamy. If you want a super smooth fine creaminess feel free to bring out the food processor to get the job done, but really it’s totally unnecessary extra dirty dishes.
  3. The spices! Earthy, smoky spices is what gives this Lebanese dip its authentic flavors: cumin and smoked paprika in a tiny amount elevate this dip to epic status. Don’t overdo it, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
  4. The creaminess! It’s all in that tahini aka sesame butter. Choose an organic one that lists whole sesame seeds as the only ingredient.

FAQ

  • Can you freeze babaganoush ? Yes, once completely cooled transfer the dip to a freezer proof lidded container and freeze up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
  • What can i substitute for tahini ? Tahini is a classic ingredient in this dip but can easily be substituted with creamy cashew or walnut butter. Alternatively a store bought vegan mayo, sour cream or cultured coconut yogurt also work great.
  • Can I make it oil-free ? Yes you can omit the olive oil in the recipe and replace with more tahini, cashew butter or cultured coconut yogurt if available.

what to eat / serve with:

Pita chips
Fresh crunchy veggies: cucumber, red bell peppers, radishes, tomatoes etc.
Pita bread & quinoa flatbread
Falafel
Crusty bread
Potato flatbread
Wraps.

baba ganoush vs hummus

The main difference between the two classic appetizers is that hummus is a dip made with chickpeas (garbanzo beans) while baba ganoush is made with roasted eggplant. The rest of the ingredients are essentially the same. They can both be used as a spread or dip, are fiber and protein rich and of course super delicious.

popular dip recipes:

  • Vegan Tzaziki
  • Oil Free Hummus
  • Roasted Vegetable Spread
  • Chickpea Avocado Salad
  • Cashew Queso.

P.S. If you make this recipe please report back, leave a comment rating below, snap a photo and tag me with #VeggieSociety on Instagram, it always makes my day ~ Florentina Xo’s

Lebanese Baba Ganoush ~ Vegan Recipe (9)

5 from 2 votes

Vegan Baba Ganoush Lebanese Recipe

Best Vegan Baba Ganoush, a Lebanese recipe from scratch meaning “ spoiled dad “ or as the French call it “caviar d’aubergines” or eggplant caviar. Made with roasted eggplants, tahini, lemon, garlic and smoky spices.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:30 minutes mins

Total Time:40 minutes mins

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium high heat. Use a sharp knife and poke each eggplant in a few spot. Place on top of the hot skillet. Cook until charred on all sides then transfer to a bowl to cool off. ( The eggplants can also be cooked on the outdoor grill, under the broiler, charred on open flame or baked in the oven. The open flame method is really messy and the oven method lacks the smokiness so keep that in mind when deciding which cooking method to use.)

  • Once cool enough to handle peel the charred skins off of the eggplant and discard. Place the eggplant in a fine strainer and allow the extra moisture to drain over a bowl.

  • Once drained transfer the roasted eggplant meat to a cutting board and using a sharp knife chop it up finely. Alternatively this can be done in the food processor, I prefer some texture in my dip so I like to do it by hand.

  • In a medium bowl whisk together the tahini with the olive oil and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Whisk in the garlic, cumin and smoked paprika then add the roasted eggplant and parsley.

  • Use a spatula to combine everything until smooth and creamy. Season to taste with sea salt and add more lemon juice if desired.

  • Serve as a dip garnished with sesame seeds, fresh herbs and chili flakes for some attitude. Serving ideas: pita chips, pita bread, crusty bread, fresh veggies: bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.

Notes

  • Oil-Free WFPB & Plantricious Adaptation -Replace the olive oil in the recipe with more tahini, cashew butter or cultured coconut yogurt.
  • Smoky - To add extra smokiness to your baba ganoush you can add a tiny bit of liquid smoke, however this won’t be necessary if you char the eggplants first.
  • What can i substitute for tahini ? Tahini is a classic ingredient in this dip but can easily be substituted with creamy cashew or walnut butter. Alternatively a store bough vegan mayo, sour cream or cultured coconut yogurt also works great.
  • Serving ideas: pita chips, pita bread, crusty bread, fresh veggies: bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.

Nutrition

Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 893mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 286IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 2mg

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keyword: baba ganoush, plant based, vegan,

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 347kcal

Author: Florentina

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Lebanese Baba Ganoush ~ Vegan Recipe (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!

What does ganoush mean in Lebanese? ›

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.

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

Homemade baba ganoush can be stored in the fridge in a tight-lid container for about 4 days or so (some say up to a week, but mine never lasts that long).

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

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 anti inflammatory? ›

Nasusin is known to fight free radical damage and inflammation and helps prevent cellular oxidative stress. Keep in mind, though, that nasunin is only found on the skin, meaning you have to include the skin in the Baba Ghanoush.

Why does baba ganoush taste so bad? ›

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.

What does baba ganoush mean when someone says I love you? ›

In Arabic, bābā is used as a term of endearment for friends, and it also means father. The term baba ganoush translates to “father of coquetry,” which basically means “pampered daddy.” Next time you're at a restaurant ordering baba ganoush, try to order some pampered daddy instead. They'll love that.

Why is baba ganoush bitter? ›

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. In this case, the more it collapses while grilling, the more it's losing water, so by the time you're done cooking, it has a much milder flavor.

What to eat baba ganoush with? ›

I like to serve my baba ganoush with sturdy raw veggies like carrot sticks, cucumber rounds and bell pepper sticks. Toasted pita wedges or pita chips are great, too. For a full Mediterranean spread, serve this baba ganoush with herbed hummus or tahini sauce and fresh salads.

What does baba ganoush mean in English? ›

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".

Is baba ganoush healthier than hummus? ›

3) Health – Both dishes are very healthy, but baba ganoush has a slight edge here with more vitamins from the eggplant and a lower calorie count. 4) Big meal to come – Get baba ganoush, it's less filling than hummus.

Why does baba ganoush taste like cigarettes? ›

perhaps that's what your little green party hat's for. There is only one way to make knockout Baba Ganoush – by smoking your aubergines. Smoky, charred lushness is what defines this dip.

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.

Why do you soak eggplant in milk? ›

Milk is said to help draw out the bitterness in eggplant. Our recipe doesn't call for milk, but if you're worried that your eggplant will taste bitter, you can soak the slices in milk for 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and pat them dry before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.

What is the difference between baba ganoush and Mama Ganoush? ›

You may already be familiar with Baba Ganoush, but have you heard of Mama Ganoush? (Or Mama Ghannouj) It's similar, but instead of using eggplant, this simple recipe uses zucchini. That can be very helpful if you're avoiding nightshade vegetables.

Which is healthier hummus or baba ganoush? ›

3) Health – Both dishes are very healthy, but baba ganoush has a slight edge here with more vitamins from the eggplant and a lower calorie count. 4) Big meal to come – Get baba ganoush, it's less filling than hummus.

What's the difference between hummus and ganoush? ›

One main difference between baba ganoush and hummus is baba ganoush's main ingredient, which is eggplant. In hummus, chickpeas are the primary ingredient. Although the difference seems simple, it makes a huge difference in the taste. Baba ganoush has an earthy taste while hummus has a more nutty tone.

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