Best Roasted Eggplant Dip (Baba Ganoush) Recipe

Easy & Healthy

Discover the best roasted eggplant dip recipe (Baba Ganoush), featuring creamy and flavorful eggplant with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. Perfect as a healthy and delicious appetizer.

Baba ghanoush, also spelled baba ganoush or baba ghanouj, is a Levantine appetizer consisting of mashed cooked eggplant, olive oil, lemon juice, various seasonings, and sometimes tahini. It may be served with onions, tomatoes, or other vegetables.

Most commonly purple, the spongy, absorbent fruit is used in several cuisines. Typically used as a vegetable in cooking, it is a berry by botanical definition.

Eggplant

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.

Why 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 served hot or cold?

Typically, though, it's a cold or room temperature spread, served with pita bread or crostini or crusty French bread…or a spoon.

Watch the video recipe

Roasted Eggplant Dip (Baba Ganoush) Recipe

Serving: 6 cups

Introduction

Baba ganoush is a Levantine appetizer made from mashed roasted eggplant, olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, and various seasonings. It is a healthy, low-calorie dip perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

3-4 large Italian eggplants
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
Juice from 1-2 lemons, or to taste
3 tbsp tahini, or to taste
Pinch of cayenne pepper
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Pita chips and vegetables for dipping

Directions

Roast Eggplants: Preheat oven to 450°F. Roast eggplants, turning frequently until skins are charred and eggplants are very soft, about 1 hour. Cool, peel, and drain excess liquid.
Prepare Dip: Mash eggplant flesh with garlic and salt until creamy. Mix in lemon juice, tahini, olive oil, cayenne, and yogurt. Adjust seasonings and stir in parsley.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for 3-4 hours until chilled. Serve with pita chips and vegetables.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is baba ganoush? Baba ganoush is a Levantine dip made from roasted eggplant, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings.

2. Is baba ganoush healthy? Yes, it is low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

3. Can I use a grill instead of an oven? Yes, grilling the eggplant adds a smoky flavor.

4. How do I store leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

5. Can I freeze baba ganoush? Freezing is not recommended as it can affect the texture.

6. What can I serve with baba ganoush? Serve with pita chips, fresh vegetables, or crusty bread.

7. How do I make the dip less tangy? Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your taste.

8. Can I omit the tahini? Yes, but it will change the flavor and texture.

9. How do I make the dip smoother? Blend the ingredients in a food processor until smooth.

10. Can I add other spices? Yes, cumin or smoked paprika can add extra flavor.

11. How do I prevent the eggplant from becoming bitter? Salting the eggplant before roasting can help reduce bitterness.

12. Can I use store-bought roasted eggplant? Yes, but fresh roasted eggplant will have better flavor.

13. Can I use this dip as a spread? Yes, it works well as a spread on sandwiches and wraps.

14. What type of eggplant should I use? Italian eggplants are commonly used, but any variety will work.

15. Is baba ganoush served hot or cold? It is typically served at room temperature or cold.

Explore More Tasty Recipes

Must-Try Recipes

Easy Cajun Stuffed Chicken Breast Dinner Recipe: Cajun-spiced chicken breasts stuffed with veggies and melted zesty pepper-jack cheese
Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta: This creamy shrimp Alfredo pasta is quick, delicious, and not to brag, but better than most restaurants.
Stuffed Bell Peppers Rice and Beef: These stuffed bell peppers are so easy to make, and they don't require a lot of time and effort.

Dive Into More Deliciousness

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our Recipe Collection for endless culinary adventures.