Mutabal Recipe: Creamy Lebanese Roasted Eggplant Dip 2026

Mutabal is a silky roasted eggplant dip from Lebanese cuisine, and it is one of those appetizers that disappears from the table faster than you can make it. The eggplant is roasted whole until the flesh is soft and smoky, then blended with tahini, garlic, lemon juice and cumin for a bright, nutty spread.

This version keeps things simple: ten humble ingredients, one hot oven and a food processor do almost all the work. The result is a creamy, deeply savory dip that works just as well as an original starter for a dinner party as it does for a relaxed evening of picking at small plates.

Serve it with warm pita bread or a platter of raw vegetables such as carrot, celery and cucumber, which pair beautifully with the smoky eggplant. A final drizzle of olive oil, a dusting of sweet paprika and a scattering of toasted sesame seeds is all it needs to look and taste special.

Ingredients for Mutabal

This recipe makes 2 servings as an appetizer.

• 1 eggplant (about 400 g)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 1 garlic clove
• 10 g tahini
• Juice of half a lemon
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• Sweet paprika
• Toasted sesame seeds

How to Make Mutabal Step by Step

1. Prepare and Season the Eggplant

When buying the eggplants, choose ones with smooth, glossy skin that feel firm to the touch. Wash and cut the eggplant lengthwise into two halves. Score around the inner edge, then make diagonal cuts in both directions without cutting through the skin. Pour a little olive oil on the base of a baking dish, place the eggplant on top and season with salt, ground black pepper and another drizzle of olive oil.

2. Roast the Eggplant

With the oven preheated to 180 °C (350 °F) with top and bottom heat, put the dish with the eggplant in and roast for 30 to 35 minutes. After that time, check with a skewer whether the eggplant is fully roasted: if the skewer goes in and out without resistance, it is ready. Take it out of the oven and let it cool slightly so you can handle it.

3. Scoop Out the Flesh

Once the eggplant is warm rather than hot, scoop out the flesh with the help of a spoon, leaving the skin behind.

4. Combine the Ingredients

In a food processor, place the eggplant flesh, 1 garlic clove with the germ removed, 10 g of tahini, the juice of half a lemon, half a teaspoon of ground cumin and salt.

5. Blend Until Smooth

Blend with the food processor until you get a smooth, homogeneous mixture.

6. Serve the Mutabal

Serve the mutabal with a little sweet paprika sprinkled on top, some toasted sesame seeds and a generous drizzle of olive oil.

Tips for the Best Mutabal

Pick Firm, Glossy Eggplants

Look for eggplants with tight, shiny skin that feel firm when you squeeze them. These roast more evenly and give the dip a sweeter, less bitter flavor.

Roast Until Truly Tender

The skewer test is the best guide: if it slides in and out with no resistance, the flesh will blend into a silky cream. Undercooked eggplant stays stringy and dulls the texture.

Serve It with the Right Accompaniments

Pita bread or raw vegetable sticks such as carrot, celery or cucumber are ideal for scooping. Finish with toasted sesame seeds, sweet paprika and a good pour of olive oil for the classic presentation.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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