Tahini:
Grams to Cups
One cup of tahini weighs 240 grams. Made from ground sesame seeds, tahini has a thin, pourable consistency and a pleasantly bitter, nutty flavor that makes it a distinctive ingredient in halva, cookies, and sesame-forward baked goods.
Convert Tahini
1 cup = 240 grams
= — grams
= — cups
Quick reference
Measurement Table
| Cups | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| ⅛ cup | 30 g | 1.06 oz |
| ¼ cup | 60 g | 2.12 oz |
| ⅓ cup | 80 g | 2.82 oz |
| ½ cup | 120 g | 4.23 oz |
| ⅔ cup | 160 g | 5.64 oz |
| ¾ cup | 180 g | 6.35 oz |
| 1 cup | 240 g | 8.47 oz |
| 1¼ cups | 300 g | 10.58 oz |
| 1½ cups | 360 g | 12.70 oz |
| 2 cups | 480 g | 16.93 oz |
| 3 cups | 720 g | 25.40 oz |
About Tahini
Tahini is thinner and more fluid than most nut butters, which is why it weighs slightly less per cup (240 g) than almond butter (256 g) or peanut butter (~250 g). Its lower viscosity also makes it easier to stir into batters without forming lumps, which is an advantage in cookie and brownie recipes.
Like other natural nut and seed butters, tahini separates into an oil layer on top and a dense paste below. Before measuring, stir it thoroughly — ideally with an immersion blender for a jar that has been sitting a long time — to achieve a uniform consistency.
In Middle Eastern and Mediterranean baking, tahini appears in sesame cookies (simsim), halva, and date-tahini bars. In contemporary baking, it has become popular in chocolate chip cookies and brownies, where it adds depth and a subtle bitterness that balances sweetness effectively.
Tahini made from unhulled sesame seeds (darker in color) is more bitter and nutritious than hulled tahini (lighter, more neutral). Most Western recipes default to light (hulled) tahini. Check your recipe and match accordingly — the flavor difference is significant.
Tips for measuring Tahini
- Stir thoroughly before measuring — separation is common and affects density.
- Light (hulled) tahini for milder flavor; dark (unhulled) for more bitterness.
- Tahini blends well with chocolate, honey, and citrus in baking.
- At room temperature, tahini flows and measures more accurately than when cold.
Common mistakes
- Measuring separated tahini — oil-heavy surface is much less dense than the paste below.
- Confusing light and dark tahini — they have meaningfully different flavors.
- Using cold, stiff tahini straight from the fridge — bring to room temperature first.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many grams in a cup of Tahini?
- 1 cup of Tahini weighs 240 grams. This is the standard measurement used in most American recipes.
- How many cups is 240 grams of Tahini?
- 240 grams of Tahini equals exactly 1 cup. For partial amounts, use the converter above or the measurement table.
- Is 240 g per cup accurate for all brands?
- 240 g/cup is the widely accepted standard. Minor brand-to-brand variation exists (±5–10%), but for most baking purposes this figure is reliable.