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

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.

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 is the difference between baba ganoush and mutabbal? ›

The principle difference is the tahini – the sesame purée, but there are others. In Moutabbal, tahini is mixed with the smoked aubergine to create a paste-like dip served with warmed or crispy bread. In Baba Ghanoush, no tahini is used and the smoked aubergine is mixed with onions, tomatoes and other vegetables.

What are the main ingredients in baba ganoush? ›

In its most basic form, baba ganoush is made with eggplant, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt. I found that adding a tiny bit of ground cumin, smoked paprika and fresh parsley takes it to the next level. Baba ganoush is similar to hummus, but it calls for grilled or roasted eggplant instead of chickpeas.

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.

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 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.

How long does baba ganoush last in fridge? ›

Make-Ahead and Storage

The baba ganoush can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Let it come back to room temperature before serving.

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 baba ganoush slang for? ›

The word combination is also interpreted as "father of coquetry" or "indulged/pampered/flirtatious daddy" or "spoiled old daddy".

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.

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's better for you hummus or baba ganoush? ›

In general, however, although you can gain more nutritional benefits from chickpeas than from eggplant, baba ganoush is healthier than hummus which is one major difference between baba ganoush and hummus. That is because 1 cup of chickpeas is equal to two or more eggplants.

What to eat with baba ganoush for dinner? ›

Baba Ghanoush is delicious. Made with eggplant that's been fire roasted (either on a hot grill or under a broiler) to the point of shriveling, it can be served as a side dish. Typically, though, it's a cold or room temperature spread, served with pita bread or crostini or crusty French bread… or a spoon.

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.

Is hummus the healthiest dip? ›

This dip is one of the best choices for people who are trying to eat healthy. That's because it contains many of the nutrients (calcium, fiber, protein, and more) that your body needs! And, when you dip into it with veggies, you're eating a portion of your vegetables for the day!

What is the healthiest thing to eat with hummus? ›

Hummus is a fantastic addition to big leafy salads with crisp seasonal veggies, warm pita bread, olives, and pickled red onions. It's a wholesome and colorful meal for anyone who loves Mediterranean food.

Does baba ganoush have a lot of carbs? ›

Eggplant dip (Baba Ghanoush) (2 tablespoon) contains 3.4g total carbs, 2.2g net carbs, 4g fat, 1.2g protein, and 50 calories.

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