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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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

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. This baba ganoush recipe is a must-try summer dip!

Is baba ganoush healthy or unhealthy? ›

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.

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? ›

If your Baba Ganoush tastes bitter, add a half teaspoon of baking soda at a time and blend well (tasting in between) to remove bitterness from the dish.

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".

How long does homemade baba ganoush last in the fridge? ›

Homemade baba ganoush can be stored in the fridge in a tight-lid container for about 4 days or so (some say up to a week, but mine never lasts that long).

Is baba ganoush high in cholesterol? ›

When it comes to the nutritional contents of baba ganoush and hummus, they are pretty similar. Both have 0% cholesterol and are high in fiber and protein content.

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.

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 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.

Why do you soak eggplant in milk? ›

Soak eggplant slices or cubes in milk for about 30 minutes before cooking. The milk not only tempers the bitterness, but it actually makes for eggplant that is extra creamy, since the vegetable acts like a sponge and soaks up a good amount of milk in its flesh.

What to eat baba ganoush with? ›

I like to serve my baba ganoush with sturdy raw veggies like carrot sticks, cucumber rounds and bell pepper sticks. Toasted pita wedges or pita chips are great, too. For a full Mediterranean spread, serve this baba ganoush with herbed hummus or tahini sauce and fresh salads.

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.

What's the difference between hummus and ganoush? ›

One main difference between baba ganoush and hummus is baba ganoush's main ingredient, which is eggplant. In hummus, chickpeas are the primary ingredient. Although the difference seems simple, it makes a huge difference in the taste. Baba ganoush has an earthy taste while hummus has a more nutty tone.

Does baba ganoush go bad? ›

Shelf Life and Freshness

Consumption Window: Generally, baba ganoush maintains its quality for 3-5 days when refrigerated properly. Indicators of Spoilage: Spoilage can be identified by off-odors, a change in color, or the presence of mold. If these signs are evident, the baba ganoush should not be consumed.

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