Lebanese Baba Ganoush ~ Vegan Recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

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!

Jump to Recipe

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

You’ll Also Love:

Lebanese Baba Ganoush ~ Vegan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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.

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.

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!

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.

What is the Lebanese name for baba ganoush? ›

Mutabbal is probably what many people would recognise as 'Baba Ganoush', the staple aubergine dip of Middle Eastern restaurants everywhere. Though its name is not quite so catchy (Baba is the Arabic word for 'dad' and so baba ghanouj / ganoush roughly translates to something like 'spoiled daddy' or 'pampered papa').

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.

Why does my baba ganoush taste bitter? ›

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 country eats baba ganoush? ›

Baba ghanoush
CourseAppetizer
Place of originLevant
Associated cuisineIraq, Armenia, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, and Turkey
Main ingredientsEggplant, olive oil
Cookbook: Baba Ganoush Media: Baba ghanoush
1 more row

How long does baba ganoush last in 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).

What pairs well with baba ganoush? ›

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.

Is Sabra Baba Ganoush vegan? ›

Because no animal foods are used, Baba is an appealing food to all forms of vegetarian diets. The noticeable lack of preservatives, sets Sabra apart from its competitors.

What can I use instead of eggplant in baba ganoush? ›

So, if that's the case or for those people who genuinely dislike the taste of eggplant, you can still enjoy this creamy dip but in zucchini form. Simply roast the zucchini as you would an eggplant and proceed with the normal baba ganoush recipe.

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.

Is baba ganoush good for gut health? ›

Not only is it a rich source of dietary fibre (important for maintaining good gut health), but it's also packed with vitamins B1 and B6 as well as potassium, copper, magnesium and manganese.

Is tahini healthy to eat? ›

Tahini is an especially good source of copper, a trace mineral essential for iron absorption, blood clot formation, and blood pressure (3). It's also rich in selenium, a mineral that helps decrease inflammation and promotes immune health, as well as phosphorus, which is involved in maintaining bone health ( 4 , 5 ).

Does baba ganoush mean flirty dad? ›

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".

What does baba ganoush mean in wedding crashers? ›

In the film, that's the term of endearment Owen Wilson uses to address his friend and fellow wedding crasher Vince Vaughn. In real life, baba ganoush is a Middle Eastern dip made from roasted eggplant, tahini and spices that is just as good served in a pita as it is with pita chips.

What is the difference between baba ghanoush and Mutabbal? ›

Moutabel is a richer, creamier dip, with a texture somewhere in between a hummus and a Baba Ganoush. While most people equally relish both these dips, only some can distinguish between the two as the choice of ingredients for both varies according to individual tastes.

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. In Israel, it is known as eggplant salad, or Salat Hatzilim.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Last Updated:

Views: 5952

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Birthday: 2001-01-17

Address: Suite 769 2454 Marsha Coves, Debbieton, MS 95002

Phone: +813077629322

Job: Real-Estate Executive

Hobby: Archery, Metal detecting, Kitesurfing, Genealogy, Kitesurfing, Calligraphy, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Gov. Deandrea McKenzie, I am a spotless, clean, glamorous, sparkling, adventurous, nice, brainy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.