Roasted Garlic Baba Ganoush | Gluten Free Paleo Recipe (2024)

by Lisa Wells / 14 Comments

This easy roasted garlic baba ganoush recipe is a perfect appetizer for a healthy Mediterranean inspired dinner. Made with simple ingredients - roasted eggplant and garlic, sesame tahini, fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil - it's a delicious dip!


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Homemade baba ganoush or baba ghanoush is an easy dip recipe that is healthy paleo,keto, Whole30, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. It's perfect for snacking, as an appetizer, or served with grilled chicken.

This easy baba ganoush recipe is one of my favorite dips - it's like hummus but made with roasted eggplant instead of chickpeasas the main ingredient.

I swap out the traditional pita bread and serve it with sliced cucumber rounds and red pepper slices as dippers as an appetizer. But I also love this roasted garlic baba ganoush with grilled chicken and roasted veggies for an easy dinner.

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Ingredients you'll need

The classic baba ganoush recipe ingredients are eggplant, tahini, garlic, and lemon. So this recipe is paleo, low carb, and keto-friendly without modification.The only change I make is to roast the garlic. I prefer the sweeter, milder flavor of roasted garlic instead of fresh garlic for this recipe.

Roasted Garlic Baba Ganoush | Gluten Free Paleo Recipe (2)
  • garlic - You'll need a whole head to roast (garlic lovers can add more!).
  • eggplant - Look for firm medium size eggplants with smooth, shiny skin
  • lemon juice - Squeezing a lemon for fresh juice will give you the best flavor
  • sesame tahini - Tahini is like runny nut butter made with sesame seeds. It adds a nutty flavor.
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • sea salt

How to make Baba Ganoush

This recipe is super easy. It just takes a little planning ahead to roast the eggplant and garlic. You can even roast theeggplant wholealong with the garlic on the grill.

Just roast the vegetables at least an hour before you want to make the Mediterranean dip. A little earlier is even better. That way you can let the eggplant drain in a colander and the garlic cool before peeling them. I usually peel the cooked eggplant right into the food processor and squeeze the garlic cloves and lemon straight in as well.

Then theonly thingleftto do is add the remaining ingredients - olive oil, tahini and salt - and pulse just until you have a creamy dip. Don't over blend, you want to retain some of the texture.

Roasted Garlic Baba Ganoush | Gluten Free Paleo Recipe (3)

I have to admit I don't usually measure when making baba ganoush. It's very forgiving and tasting the puree will let you know if you have the seasonings correct. You're just looking for a good balance of all the flavors.

How to serve

Serve this paleo baba ganoush with a drizzle of olive oil and garnish with grape tomatoes and olives. Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like it spicy or smoked paprika to add a smoky flavor.

Fresh veggies like sweet pepper, carrot and cucumber slices are perfect for creamy eggplant dip. Grain free crackers make a great substitute for pita chips. I've even had it with gluten-free pita wedges at a Greek restaurant.

And don't forget to try it on grilled chicken served with a simpleside dishofroasted vegetables or a Greek salad and tangy dressing.

More healthy dip recipes

  • Grilled Eggplant and Red Pepper Dip
  • Roasted Cauliflower Hummus
  • Easy Guacamole Recipe
  • Fresh Tomato Salsa

Roasted Garlic Baba Ganoush | Gluten Free Paleo Recipe (4)

ROASTED GARLIC BABA GANOUSH

An easy and healthy Meditteranean eggplant dip recipe made with roasted garlic and the traditional baba ganoush ingredients.

5 from 46 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Diet: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Keto, Low Carb, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30

Author: Lisa Wells

Ingredients

  • 1 head garlic
  • 2 medium eggplant
  • 3 - 4 tablespoons lemon juice juice of 1-½ to 2 lemons
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven or grill to 400 degrees.

  • Cut the top off the head of garlic. Place on a sheet of foil and drizzle with olive oil. Wrap tightly in foil and place on a rimmed baking sheet with the eggplants.

  • Roast the vegetables for about 45 minutes, until the eggplants are collapsed and the garlic is completely soft.

  • Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and place in a colander to cool and drain. Open the garlic packet to cool.

  • Peel the eggplants and squeeze the flesh from the garlic head. Place all ingredients in the food processor and pulse to desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Nutrition

Calories: 88kcal Carbohydrates: 9g Protein: 2g Fat: 5g Saturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 149mg Potassium: 300mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 4g Vitamin A: 25IU Vitamin C: 6.3mg Calcium: 22mg Iron: 0.5mg

Keyword: baba ganoush recipe

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More Appetizers & Snacks

  • Roasted Garlic on the Grill
  • Cranberry Walnut Paleo Granola
  • Fresh Tomato Salsa
  • Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christy

    I made this last night, and it is soooo delicious! The only thing I changed was cashew butter for the tahini. I'd like to say it was to cut down on the PUFAs, but honestly, my tahini was bad! It ended up doing a great job with the consistency and had great flavor. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Lisa

      Christy, I'm so glad you liked it! This is one of my favorites - I'm making it for dinner tomorrow with grilled chicken.

      Reply

  2. Hattie

    Tried this today and mine turned brown. Any idea what might have happened?

    Reply

    • Lisa

      I’m not sure what might have happened – but sometimes larger or older eggplants will have a lot of brown seeds. If I happen to get one of these, I’ll remove some of the layers of seeds before pureeing the eggplant.

      Reply

  3. MBen

    Sounds delish! Is this meant to be a warm or chilled dip?

    Reply

    • Lisa

      It can be served warm right after you make it, or at room temperature. If you refrigerate it, it's best to let it come to room temperature before serving.

      Reply

  4. Erin Perlini

    So delicious!! Perfect for carrot sticks/bell pepper slices.

    I'll definitely keep coming back for more recipes.

    Reply

    • Lisa

      That's great - so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  5. Lydya

    Love it! Not enough tho will have to double or triple recipe! 🙂

    Reply

  6. Sabrina B.

    Roasted Garlic Baba Ganoush | Gluten Free Paleo Recipe (9)
    Thank you for this recipe! I've never made this before just had it in restaurants and haven't had it in awhile, so thank you for reminder and paleo-cert. recipe!

    Reply

    • Lisa

      You will love how easy it is, Sabrina! I make it all the time 🙂

      Reply

  7. madison

    Roasted Garlic Baba Ganoush | Gluten Free Paleo Recipe (10)
    Wow! Looks deliciously delightful! Thanks for sharing this kind of recipe!

    Reply

  8. Joni

    Random question, but can you use zucchini instead of eggplant?

    Reply

    • Lisa

      Hi Joni, I have not tried it with zucchini so I don't know if it would work.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Roasted Garlic Baba Ganoush | Gluten Free Paleo Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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.

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.

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

*A note about salt: Eggplant is naturally bitter and adding a generous amount of salt not only improves the flavor of the dip but helps curb the bitterness of the eggplant. So don't be afraid to add a bit more! Transfer the baba ganoush into a serving bowl.

What is the difference between baba ganoush and eggplant Mutabal? ›

So, what's the difference between mutabal and baba ghanoush? Well, it seems that the big difference is the use of tahini: Mutabal calls for it, while Baba Ganoush doesn't. In addition, baba ganoush usually includes chopped vegetables, such as tomato, pepper, and garlic mixed with pomegranate molasses.

Is baba ganoush anti inflammatory? ›

Plus, we have things like garlic, citrus, and tahini, which is also rich in nutrients and contains some anti-inflammatory properties. Baba ganoush is Mediterranean diet friendly, vegetarian (vegan if you don't use the yogurt), and fairly low in carbs.

Is baba ganoush good for weight loss? ›

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.

Can I eat baba ganoush on keto? ›

Baba Ganoush is a tasty Middle Eastern dip made with baked eggplants (aka aubergines), garlic, lemon juice and spices. It's naturally low in carbs and is a good source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and potassium - just perfect for a keto diet!

Why does baba ganoush taste so good? ›

What Does Baba Ganoush Taste Like? Grilled eggplant and (sometimes) grilled garlic give baba ganoush a mostly smoky flavor. The tahini, garlic, salt, lemon juice and parsley also add a compound of flavors giving it a rich taste.

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.

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 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 do you 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 does Baba mean in baba ganoush? ›

Etymology. The word bābā in Arabic means 'father' and is also a term of endearment, while ġannūj could be a personal name. The word combination is also interpreted as "father of coquetry" or "indulged/pampered/flirtatious daddy" or "spoiled old daddy".

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.

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

So, if that's the case or for those people who genuinely dislike the taste of eggplant, you can still enjoy this creamy dip but in zucchini form. Simply roast the zucchini as you would an eggplant and proceed with the normal baba ganoush recipe.

What is the benefit of baba ganoush? ›

Baba Ganoush is nutritious, mainly from eggplant, low in calories but high in fiber and antioxidants, good for digestion and fighting free radicals. Heart-healthy fats from tahini and olive oil, plus vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and potassium, support overall health when part of a balanced diet.

Does baba ganoush have a lot of carbs? ›

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

Is baba ganoush less calories than hummus? ›

The difference is that roasted eggplant forms the base for baba ganoush while chick peas are the backbone of hummus. The roasted eggplant lends this eggplant dip a slightly sweeter, smokier flavor, and a lower fat and calorie count than hummus.

Is baba ganoush high in fat? ›

One Cup of Baba Ganoush gives 99 calories. Out of which carbohydrates comprise 38 calories, proteins account for 11 calories and remaining calories come from fat which is 50 calories. One Cup of Baba Ganoush provides about 5 percent of the total daily calorie requirement of a standard adult diet of 2,000 calories.

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