Baba Ganoush or Baba Ghanouj is basically a Levantine/ Lebanese eggplant dip assembled by mixing roasted eggplant, tahini and olive oil. It is hands down one of the best homemade dips that I ever made. It’s healthy, vegan, Paleo-friendly and super easy to make side at home! Here is how to make Baba Ganoush Recipe (Step by Step).
What is Baba Ganoush
Baba Ganoush is a traditional Middle Eastern Dip. It is an integral part of Mezze Platter and is made using roasted aubergine (Eggplant), Tahini and spices. Pomegranate Molasses is an important ingredient in making this dip as it gives it a very peculiar flavour. It is traditionally served with pita bread but you can use it in multiple ways.
A Lebanese platter is incomplete without Baba Ganoush. Hence, whenever I feel like serving Lebanese on an occasion, I make sure that I also have Baba Ganoush on the menu along with Tabbouleh, Beet Hummus, Tahini and Lavash!
Baba Ganoush Ingredients
Eggplant – Eggplant makes the base of Baba Ganoush. Look out for the large purple coloured variety with less seeds.
Tahini – Tahini gives an earthy taste to this dip. I have a 2 ingredient tahini Paste Recipe which you can make and refrigerate for a long time. Check it out and don’t buy tahini again.
Tomato – Finely chopped tomatoes gives a nice crunch to Baba Ganoush.
Pomegranate Molasses – This is the ingredient which differentiates Baba Ganoush from Mutabal. You can make Pomegranate Molasses at home which is not only economical but also super easy to make. Check out my easy recipe.
Walnuts – Traditionally, walnuts are added in this dish. If walnuts are not available, you can add almonds or pecans.
In addition, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and chilli flakes are also added.
Where does Baba Ganoush Originate from?
“Baba Ganoush is not only a widespread and delicious dip, mainly consisting of eggplant, tahini and garlic, but also has an interesting history. Language researchers assume that Baba Ganoush comes from the Arabic phrase baba gannuj, which means as much as pampered Papa or coquettish Daddy. Therefore, it is speculated that Baba Ganoush could have been invented by one of the wives of the harem of a sultan. If the story is true we can only say: Thanks for one if the most delicious dips ever 🙂” – Source
Baba Ganoush Calories
Baba Ganoush is made using healthy ingredients low in calories. After putting the ingredients measurements in my calorie calculator, it gave me 162 Calories per serving of baba ganoush. So cheer up guys and hog on this yummy dip 🙂
Baba Ganoush is
- Vegan
- Dairy Free
- Paleo
- Gluten Free
- Grain Free
- Whole 30
- Low Cark
- Keto
- Creamy
Baba Ganoush Vs Mutabal
Check out my recipe to make Homemade Pomegranate Molasses here.
Baba Ganoush vs Hummus
The base of Baba Ganoush is roasted eggplant while the base of hummus is cooked chickpeas. Hummus do not have pomegranate molasses as it’s ingredient while an important ingredient to make Baba Ganoush is Pomegranate Molasses as it gives it a very peculiar flavour.
How to roast eggplant for Baba Ghanouj?
You can use a gas stove top or a BBQ grill to cook the eggplant.
But worry not, if you don’t have excess to gas stove or BBQ grill, you can still make an amazing Baba Ganoush Recipe at home.
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How to serve Baba Ghanouj?
Ideally, it is served as a starter with pita bread and works as a super healthy dip. Sometimes, it is even added in some other dishes to enhance its flavours. You can also make wraps and sandwiches using it.
It can also be served with chips and veggie sticks.
Sometimes, I make it a little thinner and use as salad dressing.
You can serve it along side falafel or even top your pizza with it, it’s quite versatile.
Can you freeze Baba Ganoush?
“Eggplant as a stand-alone dish doesn’t respond well to freezing. With porous, spongy flesh combined with natural tannins, you inevitably end up with a thawed piece of mushy vegetable matter with a bitterness that overtakes its nuanced flavor.
But prepared eggplant dishes like baba ghanoush can handle it. The lemon juice in baba ghanoush neutralizes the tannic bitterness and preserves color, and, since it already has a pureed or mashed consistency, you won’t notice a change in its texture after thawing.
Straining the baba ghanoush before freezing it helps minimize the formation of ice crystals.” – Source
How to make chunky Baba Ganoush?
The chunky version of this dip tastes great too. To make it chunky, do not blend the ingredients in a blender. Instead, just mash them using your hands.
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How to make Baba Ganoush Step by Step
Prick the aubergine at 5-6 places with a knife.
Roast aubergine on stove top from all the sides till it is soft from inside. Insert a knife to check if it’s done. If the knife gets no resistance while passing through, the aubergine is done. You can also roast the aubergine in a oven for an hour.
Peel the blackened skin and discard it.
In a blender, add all the ingredients except fresh coriander and pomegranate seeds and blend till smooth. Drizzle with olive oil, pomegranate seeds and fresh coriander.
Baba Ganoush Recipe
Recipe to make Pomegranate molasses is here.
Recipe to make Tahini is here.

Baba Ganoush
Baba Ganoush is basically a Levantine dish assembled by mixing tahini, eggplant and olive oil. It is served with Pita Bread as a starter.
Ingredients
- 1 Aubergine
- 2 tbsp Tahini
- 1/4 cup Tomato Chopped
- 2 tbsp Walnuts
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 5-6 Cloves Garlic
- 2 tbsp Greek or hung yogurt
- Salt
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Chili flakes
- 2 tbsp Pomegranate molasses
- Fresh coriander and pomegranate seeds for garnishing
Instructions
- Prick the aubergine at 5-6 places with a knife.
- Roast aubergine on stove top from all the sides till it is soft from inside.
- Insert a knife to check if it’s done.
- If the knife gets no resistance while passing through, the aubergine is done.
- You can also roast the aubergine in a oven for an hour.
- Peel the blackened skin and discard it.
- Chop the flesh.
- In a blender, add all the ingredients except fresh coriander and pomegranate seeds and blend till smooth.
- Add little water if required
- Drizzle with olive oil, pomegranate seeds and fresh coriander.
Recipe Notes
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Are you making this recipe? I LOVE to see your creations so snap a photo and tag Whiskaffair on Instagram with the hashtag #Whiskaffair and please give a star rating below ★. You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more such easy recipes.
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen
This looks so creamy and delicious!
msnehamathur
Thnx Lindsay.