Authentic Baba Ganoush Recipe - Roasted Eggplant Dip (wfpb, vegan) (2024)

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Vegan Baba Ganoush - is an oil-free, creamy Lebanese dip made from roasted eggplants that is great as a party snack or appetizer.

With hummus and this delicious aubergine spread, you can make a great antipasti platter for your next party or simply if you fancy a delicious dip.

Authentic Baba Ganoush Recipe - Roasted Eggplant Dip (wfpb, vegan) (1)

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This great recipe for the traditional Baba Ganoush from Lebanon is a smoky, creamy and spicy dip that is prepared from a few ingredients such as roasted eggplants, tahini and garlic.

This dip is ideal as a snack with vegetable sticks or as an appetizer for your next dinner.

If you refrain from roasting the eggplants, this spread will be on your table within 5 minutes. Or during the 45 minutes the eggplant is roasting in the oven, you can do other things.

I personally love this dip a great alternative from the classic hummus and a low-calorie dip variant, which is prepared with little effort and is ideal as a meal prep.

This vegan recipe is authentic and tastes like the traditional Baba Ganoush recipe. A great side dish for your next party plate.

Do you generally love hummus or dips? Then you should definitely try this mega great creamy recipe.

Jump to:
  • What is Baba Ganoush?
  • Ingredients
  • Instruction
  • Storage
  • Tips
  • Serving Suggestion
  • Other dips from the Middle East:
  • 📖 Recipe

What is Baba Ganoush?

In short, Baba Ganoush is an eggplant dip. The eggplant is roasted in the oven and thus gets its great roasted taste.

The two other ingredients are tahini (sesame paste) and garlic and you get the cousin of the hummus.

Baba Ganoush has its origin in Lebanon and the name comes from the Arabic. “Baba” means father and “ghanoush” means spoiled.

In the Middle East Arab countries, this alternative is very popular, especially as a starter.

In Israel it is also known as aubergine salad or hatzilim. To make this dip even creamier, many use a little mayonnaise.

Is Baba Ganoush healthy?

Aubergine is a vegetable and a great source for vitamin B, E and fiber.

Tahini is a great source for minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, lecithin, potassium and iron.

Baba Ganoush is also low in calories and is perfect as a dip.

What is healthier - hummus or baba ganoush?

Baba Ganoush's consistency is very similar to that of hummus. The dip from eggplants, i.e. Baba Ganoush, is a little lower in calories. Both dips are healthy in their own way and have different nutrients and minerals.

Ingredients

Here is a short list what ingredients are in this amazing baba ganoush dip. The exact amount of the ingredients is in the recipe card below.

Eggplant / aubergine

Tahini

Lemon juice

Garlic cloves

Sea-salt

Cumin

Liquid smoke (opt)

Cayenne pepper

Authentic Baba Ganoush Recipe - Roasted Eggplant Dip (wfpb, vegan) (2)

Instruction

Wrap the eggplant in aluminum foil and roast it in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 45-60 minutes until it is soft.

If you poke the eggplant with a knife and it is soft, take it out of the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes.

Now cut off the top of the eggplant and peel off the skin. You can throw away the peel and roughly dice the pulp. Drain the eggplant for about 5-10 min to get rid of excess water.

Place all ingredients in a food processor and process the dip until creamy. It takes about 1 minute.

Taste the Baba Ganoush again briefly and season to your taste.

Authentic Baba Ganoush Recipe - Roasted Eggplant Dip (wfpb, vegan) (3)

Storage

Freezing

The vegetable eggplant itself is not great for freezing. When thawing it gets very mushy and a bit bitter.

When the vegetables are prepared, like in this Baba Ganoush, the dish becomes great for freezing. Simply freeze the dip in portions in an airtight container.

Fridge

In an airtight container, Baba Ganoush stays in the fridge for about 7 days.

Tips

Take fresh garlic, Tahini from 100% sesame and fresh lemon juice to develop the full taste of Baba Ganoush

Sift the eggplant for about 5-10 minutes to pour away excess liquid. This step is important so that the Baba Ganoush does not become too fluid.

Season to your own taste and adjust the ingredients accordingly. Just use more tahini, lemon juice or garlic. Depending on how you like it best.

Leave the dip in the fridge for a few hours and you will see the dip thickens.

Do you eat Baba Ganoush hot or cold?

This eggplant spread is usually eaten cold or at room temperature. A crispy baguette, pita bread, or vegetables go well with this.

Authentic Baba Ganoush Recipe - Roasted Eggplant Dip (wfpb, vegan) (4)

How do you get the traditional smoky taste in Baba Ganoush?

The smoky taste in Baba Ganoush traditionally comes from the roasted eggplant over an open fire. If you like smoky flavor, you can add some liquid smoke or smoked paprika.

Serving Suggestion

Falafel

Cracker

Flatbread

Other dips from the Middle East:

Best hummus

Muhammara

Creamy feta dip

Lebanese garlic sauce

Authentic Baba Ganoush Recipe - Roasted Eggplant Dip (wfpb, vegan) (5)

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📖 Recipe

Authentic Baba Ganoush Recipe - Roasted Eggplant Dip (wfpb, vegan) (6)

Authentic Lebanese Baba Ganoush Recipe - Roasted Eggplant Dip (oil-free, wfpb, vegan)

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Vegan Baba Ganoush - is an oil-free, creamy Lebanese dip made from roasted eggplants that is great as a party snack or appetizer. With hummus and this delicious aubergine spread, you can make a great antipasti platter for your next party or simply if you fancy a delicious dip.

vegan | vegetarian | oil-free | sugar-free | dairy-free | gluten-free | nut-free | soy-free | wholesome | healthy | whole food plant-based (wfpb)

Ingredients

  • 1 large eggplant
  • ¼ cup of tahini
  • Lemon juice from 1 lemon
  • 2 cloves of garlic, roasted
  • ¼ teaspoon of salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke (opt)
  • A pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

Wrap the eggplant in aluminum foil and roast it in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 45-60 minutes until it is soft.

If you poke the eggplant with a knife and it is soft, take it out of the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes.

Now cut off the top of the eggplant and peel off the skin. You can throw away the peel and roughly dice the pulp. Drain the eggplant for about 5-10 min to get rid of excess water.

Place all ingredients in a food processor and process the dip until creamy. It takes about 1 minute.

Taste the Baba Ganoush again briefly and season to your taste.

Nutrition Information

Yield 4Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 159Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 0mgSodium 144mgCarbohydrates 21gNet Carbohydrates 0gFiber 6gSugar 6gSugar Alcohols 0gProtein 4g

The nutrition is calculated automatically and should be used as an estimate.

Did you make this recipe?

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Jump to:
  • What is Baba Ganoush?
  • Ingredients
  • Instruction
  • Storage
  • Tips
  • Serving Suggestion
  • Other dips from the Middle East:
  • 📖 Recipe
Authentic Baba Ganoush Recipe - Roasted Eggplant Dip (wfpb, vegan) (2024)

FAQs

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 healthier than hummus? ›

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.

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 Mutabal and baba ganoush? ›

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.

Is baba ganoush anti inflammatory? ›

It has been linked to improved heart health, and its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make it a great addition to a healthy diet. A Plant-Based Option: For vegetarians, vegans, or anyone leaning towards plant-based diets, baba ganoush is an excellent choice.

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 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 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).

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 baba ganoush taste bad? ›

The way you prepare baba ganoush, in fact, solves all three things I hate about eggplant. 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.

What spice takes away bitterness? ›

Spices mask bitter flavors, so don't be shy. Add some spicy peppers or powders to your cooking, or sprinkle some onto your dishes for a little bit of extra heat. Black pepper in particular has compounds that counteract bitterness. Some other great spices include cayenne, red pepper, paprika, and chili powder.

Why do you soak eggplant in milk? ›

Soak eggplant slices or cubes in milk for about 30 minutes before cooking. The milk not only tempers the bitterness, but it actually makes for eggplant that is extra creamy, since the vegetable acts like a sponge and soaks up a good amount of milk in its flesh.

What is baba ganoush slang for? ›

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 is Sabra Baba Ganoush? ›

Sabra baba ganoush is dip or salad of grilled aubergines and sesame seed paste. It makes 6 servings and is suitable for vegetarians.

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.

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.

Does baba ganoush have a lot of fat? ›

1 serving of baba ganoush (Eggplant Dip) contains 110 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 39% carbs, 52% fat, and 9% protein. This is a good source of fiber (21% of your Daily Value) and potassium (9% of your Daily Value).

Why is baba ganoush so good? ›

Rich, smoky flavor: The unique, smoky taste of Baba Ghanoush comes from roasting the eggplant, which gives it a deep, earthy flavor that people can't get enough of. Creamy texture: Baba Ghanoush has a smooth and velvety texture, making it a perfect dip for pita chips, vegetables, or as a spread in sandwiches and wraps.

Is tahini healthy? ›

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 ).

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