The Best Keto Baba Ganoush Recipe - My Natural Family (2024)

Rebecca Baron 9 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

I like to use this Keto baba ganoush recipe a lot like hummus and dip vegetables in it or use it as a sandwich spread instead of mayonnaise.

This baba ganoush is a very delicious dish and seems crazy that it is so healthy for you. Who knew healthy foods can be tasty?! 🙂 So I am glad to give you a recipe for a similar Middle Eastern sauce/ spread.

The Best Keto Baba Ganoush Recipe - My Natural Family (1)

I love the flavor of eggplant but I was always afraid of it before now. The only other time I tried eggplant was on eggplant parmesan years ago in Little Italy in Boston and it was really good.

The whole family can enjoy this recipe and if you start to make it you might find that you can keep it in the fridge or even the table long enough to have it when you want. 🙂 So if you dare - give this recipe a try and you might just be surprised!

Main Ingredients

  • Eggplant - you finally have an excuse to try this vegetable if you haven't. I'm hoping once you try it, you'll wonder why you haven't tried it before. It's a wonderful vegetable to add variety to your diet with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It has a pretty mild flavor.
  • Tahini Paste * - or substitute sunflower seed butter *, almond butter, or peanut butter and cumin instead if you are like me and not a huge fan and/or don't always have it on hand.
  • Lemon Juice - fresh is best but the bottled stuff will work too.
  • Garlic - I really recommend only fresh garlic for this recipe.

FAQ

What goes with baba ghanoush?

Typically is served with pita bread, crusty French bread, crostini, vegetables, as a mayonnaise replacement or you can just eat it with a spoon.

Can you make Baba Ganoush Without Tahini?

Yes, you can. Not all baba ganoush recipes call for tahini.

What is a good substitute for tahini?

You can substitute any nut butter, like peanut butter or almond butter.

Can you freeze baba ganoush?

If you freeze eggplant alone it will turn into a mushy mess that tastes bitter. But dishes with eggplant that are prepared, like baba ganoush, can handle it.

How to make

Time needed:40 minutes

With a few tricks, this is easy to make and has a wide variety of uses and fits the criteria of many diets.

  1. Prick

    Prepare the eggplant for cooking by pricking it all over with a fork so steam can escape.The Best Keto Baba Ganoush Recipe - My Natural Family (2)

  2. Broil

    Broil in a pre-heated oven until both sides are charred and it is very soft, flipping in-between.The Best Keto Baba Ganoush Recipe - My Natural Family (3)

  3. Blend

    Remove the eggplant from the oven, let it cool, and scoop out the flesh. Add the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, paprika, and ¾ of the parsley. Blend until mostly smooth.The Best Keto Baba Ganoush Recipe - My Natural Family (4)

  4. Serve

    Place in a serving bowl and drizzle the top with olive oil and the remaining chopped parsley. Serve with pita wedges and fresh vegetables or read the post for other suggestions.The Best Keto Baba Ganoush Recipe - My Natural Family (5)

How to serve

It also goes really well with veggies such as bell peppers, carrots, and peas. I love how I eat way more vegetables when I have a good dip like this.

You can also use it on a pita sandwich as a spread and I love that, especially if there is some eggplant in the sandwich too. When I first tried baba ganoush at a restaurant, I fell in love.

Print

Recipe

The Best Keto Baba Ganoush Recipe - My Natural Family (6)

Keto Baba Ganoush Recipe

★★★★★5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Rebecca Baron
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Cuisine: Paleo
Print Recipe

Save Recipe

Description

I like to use this a lot like hummus and dip vegetables or pita bread in it or use as a sandwich spread instead of mayonnaise. But it's healthier because it's basically just eggplant with spices.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 Eggplant (or two small)
  • ¼ Cup Tahini Paste * (or substitute 2 Tbl. sunflower seed butter *, almond butter, or peanut butter and ⅛ tsp. of cumin)
  • 3 Tbl Lemon Juice
  • 2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1 tsp Real Salt *
  • ½ tsp Paprika
  • 1-2 Tbl Fresh Parsley (chopped)
  • Extra Virgin Olive oil (to top)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to broil.
  2. Prick the eggplant all over with a fork so that steam can escape.
  3. Place the eggplant in an oven safe dish and place in the oven.
  4. Broil until the top begins to char.
  5. Flip over and char on the other side. If the eggplant is not fully tender at this point, reduce oven heat to 400 degrees and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until eggplant is very soft.
  6. Remove from oven and let cool.
  7. Scoop the flesh out of the eggplant (do not use skins) and place in a blender.
  8. Add the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, paprika, and ¾ of the parsley.
  9. Blend until mostly smooth.
  10. Place in a serving bowl, drizzle the top with olive oil and the remaining chopped parsley.
  11. Serve with pita wedges and fresh vegetables.

Keywords: Healthy, Dip, Spread

You may also like...

  • What Can You Eat for Lunch on Paleo? Easy Paleo Lunch Ideas and Recipes
  • Curried, Baked Keto Zucchini Chips Recipe
  • Best Classic, Smooth Clean Eating Hummus Without Tahini Recipe {Video}

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tracy D

    This is a frequent favorite for my family.

    The Best Keto Baba Ganoush Recipe - My Natural Family (10)

    Reply

  2. Sira

    A good authentic Baba Ganoush Recipe is hard to find.

    Reply

  3. Jesse

    In the nutrition table, I can't see the amount per serving. Could you please provide this?

    Reply

    • Rebecca

      Do you mean the serving size? It has 8 servings, so whatever 1/8th of the recipe is, which would vary by size of the eggplant, but maybe about 1/4 a cup or so.

      Reply

  4. Aaron

    This recipe is authentic and absolutely delicious. Thanks for posting!

    Reply

  5. Erin

    This looks authentic, I'm going to have to try it sometime.

    Reply

  6. Tracy D.

    I have made this dish several times & it is the real deal - as delicious as my Lebanese uncle used to make. I want to comment though about using a Pyrex dish like the one in your photo to broil the eggplant. I usually use a metal pan, but it was dirty so I used my Pyrex pie pan instead. As I closed my oven door after turning the eggplant over I heard the tinkle of broken glass. Sure enough, my pie pan had shattered! Quite a mess to clean up. I will stick to metal for broiling from now on.

    Reply

    • Rebecca

      Yes. I agree with you. I've shattered a glass pan too. I used it because it's pretty, but yes, when I'm not taking pictures, I use a cookie sheet.

      Reply

    • Annie

      My first reaction when I saw the photo! This recipe looks good, going to try.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

The Best Keto Baba Ganoush Recipe - My Natural Family (2024)

FAQs

The Best Keto Baba Ganoush Recipe - My Natural Family? ›

If you have extra time, cut your eggplant in half, use a knife to make a few slits in the skin, add salt over the skin and let it sit for 15-20 minutes so the bitterness of the eggplant comes out.

How do you get the bitterness out of baba ganoush? ›

If you have extra time, cut your eggplant in half, use a knife to make a few slits in the skin, add salt over the skin and let it sit for 15-20 minutes so the bitterness of the eggplant comes out.

Is baba ganoush high in carbs? ›

Eggplant dip (Baba Ghanoush) (2 tablespoon) contains 3.4g total carbs, 2.2g net carbs, 4g fat, 1.2g protein, and 50 calories.

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.

Is baba ganoush healthy or unhealthy? ›

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.

Why does baba ganoush taste bad? ›

Baba Ghanoush may taste bitter due to factors like the choice of eggplant, insufficient roasting, or the use of too much garlic, lemon juice, or low-quality tahini.

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.

Is tahini good for keto? ›

Yes, tahini, made from sesame seeds, is keto-friendly. It's rich in healthy fats and low in carbs. Include it in your keto recipes for a nutty flavor. Learn more about tahini and other keto-friendly ingredients in my Quora Profile dedicated to Keto Nutrition.

Which is healthier hummus or baba ganoush? ›

3) Health – Both dishes are very healthy, but baba ganoush has a slight edge here with more vitamins from the eggplant and a lower calorie count. 4) Big meal to come – Get baba ganoush, it's less filling than hummus.

What does Baba mean in baba ganoush? ›

What is baba ganoush? In Arabic, “baba” means father and “ghanoush” means spoiled. This “spoiled dad” dip is the creamier companion to hummus. Popular in Arab countries throughout the Middle East, it is also a common appetizer on the Sephardic Jewish table. In Israel, it is known as eggplant salad, or Salat Hatzilim.

What pairs well with baba ganoush? ›

What to Eat with Baba Ganoush | 11 Easy Recipe Ideas | Best Side Dishes Ideas
  • Condiments. • 1 Hummus.
  • Baking & Spices. • 1 Peppers, Roasted.
  • Bread & Baked Goods. • 1 Flatbread. • 1 Pita bread.
  • Dairy. • 1 Feta cheese.
  • Frozen. • 1 Falafel. • 1 Kebabs.
  • Deli. • 1 Tabbouleh.
  • Other. • Dolma. • Kibbeh. • Kofta.

What can I use instead of eggplant in baba ganoush? ›

Simply roast the zucchini as you would an eggplant and proceed with the normal baba ganoush recipe. The texture of the two vegetables is similar when roasted and both have mild, creamy flavors.

Is baba ganoush good for diet? ›

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.

Why does baba ganoush taste like cigarettes? ›

Now don't get me wrong, hummus is just as delicious. But this dip has an insanely scrumptious smoky flavor – all thanks to the method of charring eggplants on a grill.

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 do you counteract bitterness of tahini? ›

If it is too bitter, stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey. And if the flavor is too sharp, mellow it with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon olive oil.

How do you counteract bitter eggplant? ›

To reduce bitterness of eggplants, wash, slice, and sprinkle with salt. Allow to stand for about half an hour, rinse and cook.

What to do if eggplant is bitter after cooking? ›

Salt it.

Regardless, sprinkling a good amount of salt over eggplant slices or cubes before they're cooked does draw out some of its moisture and lessens the bitterness. Let them sit for about an hour and then lightly rinse some of the salt off before cooking.

How do you balance bitter eggplant? ›

The stem and area near the stem tend to be where bitter compounds collect. Slice or chop the eggplant and sprinkle the pieces with salt. Allow them to sit for about 30 minutes, then pat dry before cooking.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 5459

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.