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A smooth, thick, pourable pale beige sesame paste sits in a small bowl, with a softly glossy surface and gentle swirls.
●Low GI
⚡High Potassium
💪High Protein

Tahini (Natural) Calories

Natural tahini made from sesame seeds, rich in healthy fats and protein.

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

595kcal

GI

35low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

414mg

FIBER · 100 G

9.3g

Quick answer

1 tablespoon (medium) of Tahini (Natural) (15 g) has 89 calories. That works out to 595 calories per 100 g. It contains 3.2 g of carbs, 2.6 g of protein, 8 g of fat and 1.4 g of fiber. Its 0.3 mg of Copper covers 30% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 35 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Tahini (Natural) Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 tablespoon (medium) · 15 g

89

KCAL / 15G

Carbs

3.2g

· 1% DV

Protein

2.6g

· 5% DV

Fat

8g

· 10% DV

Fiber

1.4g

· 5% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 13% · Protein 11% · Fat 76%

Tahini (Natural) nutrition facts table · 1 tablespoon (medium) (15 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories89 kcal
Total fat8 g10%
Saturated fat1.05 g5%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium2.4 mg0%
Total carbohydrate3.2 g1%
Fiber1.4 g5%
Protein2.6 g5%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Tablespoon of Tahini (Natural)?

ServingAmountCalories
1 tablespoon (medium)15 g89 kcal
1 teaspoon (small)5 g30 kcal
1 tablespoon (small)10 g60 kcal
1 piece (medium)20 g119 kcal
1 ounce (medium)28 g167 kcal
2 tablespoon (large)30 g179 kcal
1 serving (medium)40 g238 kcal
1 pack (medium)50 g298 kcal
100 g100 g595 kcal
1 cup (large)140 g833 kcal

Calculated from 595 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tahini (Natural)

What is natural tahini made from?

Natural tahini is a smooth paste made by grinding sesame seeds, usually without added ingredients. Its mild, nutty flavor works in both sweet and savory foods, and the oil may separate from the paste while it sits.

How do you use natural tahini?

Natural tahini works in sauces, dips, dressings, baking, and spreads. Stir it into lemon juice and water for a savory sauce, blend it into hummus, or drizzle it over roasted vegetables, oatmeal, or fruit.

Does natural tahini need to be refrigerated after opening?

No, natural tahini does not usually need refrigeration after opening. Keep it tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from sunlight; refrigeration can make it firmer, so let it warm slightly and stir before using.

Why does oil separate in natural tahini?

Oil separates in natural tahini because sesame oil naturally rises away from the ground sesame solids during storage. This is normal, not a sign that it has spoiled; stir from the bottom until the paste is smooth again.

Can you use natural tahini to make hummus?

Yes, natural tahini is a classic ingredient in hummus. Blend it with chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic, and a little water until creamy; adding the water gradually helps you control the texture.

How do you make natural tahini at home?

You can make natural tahini by grinding sesame seeds in a strong food processor until they release their oils and become a smooth paste. Toasting the seeds first gives a deeper flavor, while untoasted seeds taste milder.

What can you substitute for natural tahini?

Sunflower seed butter is a useful substitute for natural tahini in dips and sauces, especially for people avoiding sesame. Its flavor is different, so add lemon or garlic to balance the recipe; in baking, smooth nut butter can also work.

Is natural tahini good for you?

Natural tahini can be a nutritious addition to meals because it provides unsaturated fats, protein, and fiber from sesame seeds. Its rich texture makes a small amount flavorful, but it is not a replacement for a varied diet.

Does natural tahini go bad, and how can you tell?

Yes, natural tahini can go rancid over time, particularly if stored warm or exposed to air. Discard it if it smells sour or like stale oil, or tastes unpleasantly bitter; oil separation alone is normal.

Can natural tahini be used in desserts?

Yes, natural tahini adds a nutty richness to cookies, brownies, cakes, and halva-style desserts. It pairs especially well with chocolate, honey, or dates; stir the jar thoroughly first so the recipe gets an even texture.

Tahini (Natural) Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

Vitamin K

10.65µg · 9% DV

B3

0.83mg · 5% DV

B1

0.06mg · 5% DV

B6

0.08mg · 5% DV

Minerals

Copper

0.27mg · 30% DV

Manganese

0.38mg · 17% DV

Phosphorus

66mg · 9% DV

Calcium

64mg · 6% DV

Potassium ⭐

62mg · 2% DV

Sodium

2.4mg · 0% DV

Tahini (Natural) Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

35
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

1.1
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Tahini (Natural)

To burn the 89 calories in 1 tablespoon (medium) (15 g):

🚶

22min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

9min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

12min

Cycling

🏊

10min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Tahini (Natural)?

Natural tahini is a thick paste made by grinding sesame seeds. It has a toasted, gently bitter flavour and a rich, creamy texture. Across the Middle East and Mediterranean, it is stirred into hummus, drizzled over falafel and vegetables, or blended into sauces and sweets; it also works well as a spread or dressing in everyday meals.

Tahini is high in fat, with useful amounts of protein and fibre, so a little adds plenty of richness. If the oil has separated in the jar, stir it back in before serving. For a lighter, pourable sauce, thin it with lemon juice and water, then season to taste.

How Nutritious Is Tahini (Natural)?

Nutrient density

High

75/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

56/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Tahini (Natural) Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Tahini (Natural) Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame yes

Which Diets Is Tahini (Natural) Good For?

Vegan

✓ Suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

✓ Suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

✓ Suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Tahini (Natural) Fat Profile

SATURATED

1.05g

MONOUNSATURATED

3.15g

POLYUNSATURATED

3.45g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 63:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (63:1).

Compare Tahini (Natural)

🌰vs🧈
Tahini (Natural) vs Butter122 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🌰vs🫒
Tahini (Natural) vs Olive oil289 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🌰vs💊
Tahini (Natural) vs Fish Oil Capsule305 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🌰vs🥥
Tahini (Natural) vs Coconut oil267 kcal fewer per 100 g
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Foods Similar to Tahini (Natural)

🧈

Butter

717 kcal

🫒

Olive oil

884 kcal

💊

Fish Oil Capsule

900 kcal

🥥

Coconut oil

862 kcal

🥥

Coconut milk

230 kcal

🌻🛢️

Sunflower Oil

884 kcal

🛢️

Oil

884 kcal

🛢️

MCT Oil

860 kcal

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.