Baba Ganoush Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Make Ahead

by: Jodi Moreno

September6,2013

4.3

6 Ratings

  • Makes approximately 1 1/2 cups of dip

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Author Notes

I am one of those people who sees the word "eggplant" on a menu and I must order it. I just love eggplant. Baked, grilled, breaded, I will take it any which way. Being such a lover of eggplant, I am naturally a Baba Ganoush lover too. Give me a bowl of that smoky eggplant spread and some toasted pita chips and I am a happy girl.

This summer, I made sure to plants several different varieties of eggplants in my garden to fulfill all my eggplant cravings . Currently, I have dozens of eggplants to harvest, and one of my favorite things to make to with all that eggplant is homemade Baba Ganoush. It is one of those things that is so easy to make, there is pretty much no reason to ever buy it in the store. It makes a great appetizer for a dinner party, and you can make it ahead of time and keep it around for a snack. It only gets better the longer it has to marinate.

There aren't too many ingredients in Baba Ganoush, and the ingredients are ones that I typlically have on hand. The tricky part to this recipe is that each time you make this, your eggplants will, without fail, yield slightly different amounts each time. Therefore, the ingredients and measurements are more of a guideline instead of a steadfast rule.

Feel free to experiment with this basic Baba Ganoush recipe. I love to add toppings that enhance it's flavor, and make it pretty. Toasted pine nuts are a great addition, seseame seeds, red pepper flakes, cucumbers. Also, be sure to serve it next to some toasted pita, crackers, or any vegetables you have available.
Enjoy! —Jodi Moreno

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 5 medium sized eggplants (I used graffiti eggplant)
  • 2 tablespoonslemon juice + the zest of 1/2 of a lemon
  • 2 tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoontahini
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoonflat leaf parsley, chopped
  • 5 leaves of basil, chopped
  • salt + pepper (to taste)
  • 1 tablespoonpine nuts, toasted (optional)
  • a pinch of toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Directions
  1. Place the wire rack in your oven close to the boiler, and pre-heat the broiler on its highest setting. Score the eggplants all around and then place them on a baking sheet directly under the broiler. Broil the eggplants for about 45 minutes - 1 hour, turning over half way through. You want them to be totally charred on the outside, and soft on the inside. When they are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool.
  2. Once the eggplant has cooled, open them up and scoop out the insides into a colander using a spoon. Allow some of the water to drain and then transfer to a bowl.
  3. Mix the eggplant with the lemon juice, olive oil, tahini, garlic, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste. Garnish with herbs and toasted pine nuts or sesame seeds, and serve with pita chips or crudités.

Tags:

  • Mediterranean
  • Vegetable
  • Lemon Juice
  • Pine Nut
  • Sesame
  • Make Ahead
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten-Free
  • Appetizer

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Ilana Fine Bar-Hai

  • Sucheta Mehra

  • DAVILCHICK

  • ARay

Recipe by: Jodi Moreno

Jodi Moreno is a Natural Foods Chef, Photographer, and creator of the blog What’s Cooking Good Looking where she shares her healthy, clean, seasonal recipes and photographs. She’s passionate about showing people that vegetables can play a main role on the plate.

8 Reviews

ARay August 11, 2020

This worked splendidly! Delicious! Tiny apartment with not a whit of outside space to be had, so, no grill, but the broiler worked brilliantly... An idea would be to add a pinch of toasted nigella seeds too...

Tom February 26, 2017

I never realised I could get a smoky taste from cooking the aubergines in an electric oven - made this recipe twice in two days now, it's so easy and where I live you can't buy babaganoush ready-made, so I'm very happy to have discovered this. Thank you!

Lisa B. August 8, 2016

I charred the eggplant under the broiler and then added about 1/4 tsp each smoked paprika and roasted cumin with all the other ingredients. I did add more tahini and another clove of garlic too. I loved the addition of the basil - I hadn't done that before. It was absolutely delicious!!!

Ilana F. January 20, 2016

We use so much more Tehini. We mix the Tehini with herbs and spices and lemon juice and gradually add water while mixing until it is a texture that is smooth and pours thickly off the spoon but does not plop off. Then we mix this with the eggplant.

belindajk June 28, 2015

Will the broiler of an electric oven do the trick or must I have a gas oven to char the eggplant?

marymary October 14, 2014

Thanks for the grilling suggestion, folks. Can't wait to make this!

Sucheta M. April 26, 2014

Davilchick - I agree with you, the smokiness that the grill imparts is so much better than if you bake the eggplant.

DAVILCHICK September 15, 2013

Fantastic recipe! But it's 94 degrees in L.A. today so I was not about to turn my oven on. I cooked the eggplants on the grill outside. Leave the eggplants whole just poke them full of holes. Cook on high heat and turn ever 5 mins. for about 20 minutes till they're all soft and wrinkled. I also had to add garlic. Sorry we've had a ton of vampire sightings and I wasn't going to take a chance.

Baba Ganoush Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

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!

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.

Which is more fattening hummus or baba ganoush? ›

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 long does baba ganoush last in the refrigerator? ›

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? ›

This Baba Ganoush is totally creamy, and decadent. It has a wonderful balance of smokey and tangy flavor from the roasted eggplant and the lemon. I love that it's super versatile, like hummus. It pairs with pita bread, vegetables, pretzels, crackers, or even as a condiment in your favorite sandwich.

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 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.

Why soak eggplant in milk? ›

Milk is said to help draw out the bitterness in eggplant. Our recipe doesn't call for milk, but if you're worried that your eggplant will taste bitter, you can soak the slices in milk for 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and pat them dry before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.

What draws out bitterness in eggplant? ›

If you are worried that the eggplant might be bitter, slice or cube it, then salt it liberally and allow it to drain for an hour or so before cooking. Putting salt on the eggplant triggers osmosis, which draws out excess moisture and the bitterness along with it.

Is baba ganoush high in cholesterol? ›

Baba Ganoush contains very high amounts of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber can normalize the bowl movements and it's very helpful in lowering cholesterol and a good weight lose formula. Baba Ganoush has no cholesterol either.

Is baba ganoush good for diabetics? ›

Eggplants are a good source of dietary fibre, which can help slow down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, preventing rapid spikes in blood sugar. Even though Baba Ganoush can be diabetes-friendly, portion control is still key. Monitor the quantity you consume to manage your carbohydrate intake.

What is the benefit of baba ganoush? ›

Health Benefits

Baba Ganoush is not only delicious but also packed with nutritional benefits. Eggplants are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while tahini adds a dose of healthy fats and protein. This makes Baba Ganoush a heart-healthy choice that supports overall well-being.

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 culture eats 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.

How to know 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 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.

What does baba ganoush mean in English? ›

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.

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