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!

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

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Lebanese Baba Ganoush ~ Vegan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is baba ghanouj healthier than hummus? ›

Both have 0% cholesterol and are high in fiber and protein content. Nonetheless, hummus has higher calorie content than baba ganoush, and baba ganoush contains vitamins B and E, which are nonexistent in hummus.

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

Resting eggplants with some salt is very important because it will take out the bitterness from them. If you put too much tahini sauce then your Baba ganoush will turn runny. Most recipes call for raw garlic but I find roasted garlic gives a much more dense taste.

What is the difference between baba ganoush and Baba Ghanouj? ›

Baba ganoush (also known as baba ghanouj or baba ghanoush) is one of the most popular dips in Lebanese cuisine—and at my table! That is because the flavor of this creamy dip is so bright and smokey. Its luscious texture goes with dippers of every sort: crackers, pita chips, pita wedges, fresh veggies, you name it.

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).

Is baba ganoush anti inflammatory? ›

Plus, we have things like garlic, citrus, and tahini, which is also rich in nutrients and contains some anti-inflammatory properties. Baba ganoush is Mediterranean diet friendly, vegetarian (vegan if you don't use the yogurt), and fairly low in carbs.

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.

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 does baba ganoush mean in Arabic? ›

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.

What does Baba mean in baba ganoush? ›

Etymology. The word bābā in Arabic is a term of endearment for 'father', 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 to eat with baba ganoush for dinner? ›

What to Eat with Baba Ganoush | 11 Easy Recipe Ideas | Best Side Dishes Ideas
  1. Condiments. • 1 Hummus.
  2. Baking & Spices. • 1 Peppers, Roasted.
  3. Bread & Baked Goods. • 1 Flatbread. • 1 Pita bread.
  4. Dairy. • 1 Feta cheese.
  5. Frozen. • 1 Falafel. • 1 Kebabs.
  6. Deli. • 1 Tabbouleh.
  7. Other. • Dolma. • Kibbeh. • Kofta.

How to tell if baba ganoush is bad? ›

What are the signs that baba ganoush has gone bad? Indicators include an off-smell, a noticeable change in texture, or the presence of mold. It's important to discard the dip if any of these signs are evident.

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.

What is healthier than hummus? ›

OUR WINNER: Guacamole!

Both hummus and guacamole are good sources of dietary fibre and folate. However, we have to hand it to guacamole for its higher content of heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats, Vitamins C and A, and potassium.

What kind of hummus is healthiest? ›

Most hummus you buy in a supermarket is made with either soybean oil or sunflower oil. Both of these are highly processed and can be inflammatory. Look at the label and find hummus made with extra-virgin olive oil for the most health benefits (not to mention flavor – good olive oil is like a fine wine).

Does hummus or tzatziki have more calories? ›

Which to Pick? If you make your determination based on health concerns, then hummus is clearly the less healthy dip, with high sodium being a particular concern. Health-wise, tzatziki contains only 54 calories per a 45 gram serving; it also comes with only 8 grams of carbohydrates and a negligible amount of sodium.

Which is more nutritious hummus or guacamole? ›

Hummus, with its chickpea base, wins with certain nutrients, like protein, zinc, and iron, while guacamole helps avocado fans slim down with fewer calories and carbs, heart-healthy fats, and potassium.

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