Baba ganoush is a smoky, creamy Middle Eastern dip made from roasted or grilled eggplant blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt. It’s a simple dish with deep, rich flavors that highlight the natural smokiness of eggplant. Often served as part of a mezze platter, baba ganoush is perfect for dipping pita bread, fresh vegetables, or spreading onto sandwiches and wraps.
The key to authentic baba ganoush lies in how the eggplant is cooked. Traditionally, the eggplant is charred over an open flame or roasted until the skin is blackened and the flesh is soft and smoky. Once cooled, the skin is peeled away, leaving tender, flavorful eggplant that’s ready to be mashed or blended.
Tahini, made from ground sesame seeds, gives baba ganoush its creamy texture and a slightly nutty flavor. Fresh lemon juice adds brightness and acidity, while garlic delivers a sharp, savory kick. A generous drizzle of olive oil rounds everything out, adding richness and smoothness.
The texture of baba ganoush can vary from chunky to silky smooth, depending on personal preference. Some like to mash it by hand for a rustic feel, while others prefer to blend it until velvety. It’s often finished with a sprinkle of paprika, chopped parsley, or pomegranate seeds for color and extra flavor.
Baba ganoush is not only delicious but also healthy. It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and packed with fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats. It pairs beautifully with other Middle Eastern dishes like hummus, tabbouleh, falafel, and fresh salads.
For drinks, pair it with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, a refreshing mint lemonade, or even a light beer. Its smoky, savory profile makes it versatile and universally loved.
Whether served at a party, as an appetizer, or as part of a simple snack, baba ganoush offers a flavorful and satisfying bite that brings the taste of the Mediterranean straight to your table.
Ingredients
- 2 eggplant large,
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Slice the eggplants in half lengthwise and place them, cut-side down, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Roast the eggplants in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until the skin is charred and the flesh is soft.
- Remove the eggplants from the oven and let them cool. Once cooled, scoop out the flesh and transfer it to a bowl.
- Add the minced garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the eggplant flesh. Mix well to combine.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and pomegranate seeds, if desired.
- Serve the baba ganoush with pita bread or fresh vegetables.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
I followed the instructions but it came out kinda bland. Maybe I needed to add more garlic? Not sure what I did wrong.
This recipe is too complicated for me, I just wanna make a dip. Why so many steps?
Yummy! 🍆🍴 But I used only 1 eggplant cuz that’s all I had, and it still tasted great!!
This is the best baba ganoush I’ve ever made! Super creamy and delicious. Definitely a 5-star dish!
Baba Ganoush? More like Baba Good-a-nosh! LOL! Seriously, loved it. I used yogurt instead of tahini and it was still okay.
I made this for my friends, and now they’re begging for the recipe! Thanks!
This baba ganoush is amazing! So creamy and flavorful. Definitely a keeper!
I think this is like hummus but with eggplant? Just feels different. Not so great.
Easy to make! Salt your eggplant before roasting for less bitterness. 🙂
I tried this recipe but it didn’t turn out good for me. The eggplants were too bitter.
Sorry to hear that! Sometimes eggplants can be a bit bitter. Did you use any salt to draw out moisture before roasting? It might help with bitterness!
So simple and yet so delicious! Tried it with some veggies, everyone loved it!
I love baba ganoush! It’s so versatile. Did you roast the veggies too? They must’ve been tasty with it!
Honestly, I never thought I’d enjoy eggplant, but this dip is fantastic! Yum!
Eggplant is usually gross, but this dip sounds good! Might try it now.
It was okay… I’m not obsessed but I can see why others like it. Probably wouldn’t make again.
Baba ganoush? More like baba no-good! I didn’t like it at all.
My mom used to make this but she always put yogurt in it. What’s up with that?
This is a huge hit with my family! Everyone loves it when I make it. Thanks!
I don’t think I got it right… the eggplants came out too mushy. Are they supposed to be like that?
I followed the recipe but my baba ganoush was too watery. Maybe I should’ve drained the eggplant? 🤔
Yeah, definitely drain the eggplant next time! It helps a lot. I love baba ganoush! 😋
Is it really necessary to roast it? What if I just boiled the eggplants? Asking for a friend.
Dunno, but I’ve boiled eggplants before and it didn’t taste the same. Maybe roast is better.
Roasting really brings out the flavor! Boiling might make it mushy. Just my opinion!
Um, why roast the eggplant? Can’t you just blend it raw? I feel like this is just a fancy way to make dip. 🤷♂️ ⭐⭐
Roasting the eggplant gives it a smoky flavor that’s hard to achieve with raw. Trust me, it’s worth the extra step! 🥙
I dunno, seems like an unnecessary step. Can’t you just blend ’em straight? Like, what’s the big deal? 🤔
Baba ganoush? What’s that? Is it a dessert? I’ll stick to my chips and dip! 🥴 ⭐
I’m not a fan of eggplant. Why would anyone want to eat burned veggies??
This baba ganoush turned out amazing! The roasted eggplant really gives it depth of flavor. Definitely a recipe I’ll keep! 🥙
Not sure about this recipe. The eggplants took forever to roast, and it ended up a bit bland for me.
Baba what? Never heard of it but I tried it and it’s really tasty.
So easy to make! I even added some roasted peppers for an extra flavor. Delicious! 😋 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Roasted peppers sounds fantastic! I never thought about adding that. I’ll definitely try it next time.
I dunno. Isn’t baba ganoush supposed to be just eggplant? Adding stuff seems like cheating.
Tasted awesome, definitely a hit at the party! Thanks for sharing!
This is the best baba ganoush I’ve ever made! The garlic adds such a great kick. Totally worth the effort! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This baba ganoush is soooo good! I could eat it every day!
Tried this recipe but it didn’t taste as good as my mom’s. She always adds some spices. Maybe I did something wrong. 🤔 ⭐⭐⭐
Maybe your mom just knows the right spices! This recipe is great on its own, but everyone’s taste is different. Keep experimenting!
Meh… It’s ok but my mom makes the best one and this wasn’t even close.
It’s not the same, I get that. But maybe you could give it another shot with your mom’s tips? I think it’s worth it!
Sounds like your mom’s recipe is legendary! But this one ain’t bad if you really give it some love, you know?
I made this with my kids and they loved it! They helped mash the eggplant! 🥰
Tastes fine but the pomegranate seeds are a bit weird in this.
I love making this, but I always forget the garlic! Still tastes good though.
My grandma used to make this for us! Y’all should try adding cumin!
I don’t like eggplant, but my boyfriend loved this. Guess it’s good for eggplant fans! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was so good! I’ve never made baba ganoush before but this turned out great!
Baba ganoush? More like baba bland. Needs more spices or something!
I couldn’t find tahini, so I used peanut butter. LOL, it was weird but still edible.
Peanut butter instead of tahini? That’s a bold move! I wouldn’t have thought to do that, but at least you got creative! 🤔
Haha, that sounds interesting! I guess peanut butter could add a unique twist. At least it was still edible! 🥳
What even is eggplant? I tried this thinking it was something else. Not my cup of tea at all. 😩
Eh, I don’t know. Just tastes like charred mush to me. 2 stars.
Very simple to follow, but I feel like it needs more garlic! Keep it up!
Garlic is life! I always add an extra clove or two. Makes it so much better! Yum!
I’m not sure about adding more garlic. I think it balances well as is. But you do you!
I❤️baba ganoush! This is the only way I make it now. I added some cumin for extra flavor and it was great. Plus, it’s healthy! 🌱
Delicious! I added some cayenne for a kick! Perfect dip for parties.
Isn’t it supposed to be smooth? Not sure about the cayenne, seems weird for traditional baba ganoush.
Cayenne sounds like a great addition! I’ll have to try that next time. Love baba ganoush!
SO GOOD!!! 😍 10/10 would recommend.
I made this last night and my family couldn’t get enough! Such a great dip for parties. 🥳
Honestly, I wasn’t impressed. It tasted kinda bland to me. 🤷♂️
Could this work with zucchini instead of eggplant? Asking for a friend.
I think zucchini would be a lit bit different but could work! Just cut it up small. 😄
Eggplant? Really? Who thought of this? But strangely, I liked it.
Eggplant is amazing! I never thought I’d like it either, but baba ganoush is so creamy and delicious. You should try it with some warm pita!
Eggplant? Ugh, I don’t know. Isn’t that like a weird veggie? But… if you liked it, I guess there’s something to it?
Yummm! I love baba ganoush. So easy to make and impress my friends. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you liked it! Baba ganoush is a great party dip. I’ve even added some roasted red peppers for extra flavor! 🎉
Honestly, I wasn’t a fan. The tahini was too strong for my taste. I prefer my dip to be less nutty. 😕
Nah, I like it nutty! Maybe try using less tahini next time? Just sayin’. 😜
I can see why you felt that way. Tahini can be a bit much if you’re not into nutty flavors. Have you tried reducing it or adding more lemon juice? That might help balance it out! 🍋
This is the best baba ganoush recipe I’ve ever tried! So creamy and full of flavor. Definitely making this again!
Delicious! Can I use canned eggplant instead? I hate cutting the fresh ones!
I followed the recipe, but mine didn’t come out right. The eggplant was too bitter. What did I do wrong?
This was super good! I added some cumin per my aunt’s suggestion and it was amazing! A little twist to the original.
I didn’t have pomegranate seeds but still it was yum! Dip it with some chips next time.
Baba ganoush is just crushed up eggplant, right? Not a fan. I don’t get why people like this. 🤷♂️
Nah, it’s not just smashed eggplant. It’s delicious! Maybe you just had a bad version. 😅
Baba ganoush is way more than just crushed eggplant! It’s all about that smoky flavor from roasting the eggplant. Give it another try with some good pita bread!