Lebanese Moutabel (Spicy Eggplant Dip)

By
Saad Fayed
Saad Fayed
A restaurateur and food writer, Saad Fayed has published hundreds of recipes and articles about Middle Eastern cuisine.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/24/22
eggplant dip in bowl with vegetables and pita for dippping

The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 8 servings

Moutabel is a spicier version of baba ghannouj, a popular dip made from eggplant and tahini. Not only is it easy to make, but it is also even better the next day.

Eggplant is a popular ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking. Also called the aubergine or patlican in some countries, the eggplant is a versatile vegetable. Well, actually, the eggplant is technically a fruit, but like the tomato, it is referred to as a vegetable.

In Middle Eastern cooking, you will find eggplants that are stuffed, fried, used in salads, soups, and many other delicious dishes. Because the eggplant is bitter, after slicing the eggplant, soak the eggplant in heavily salted water. Rinse with cold water and pat dry. This will remove much of the bitter taste. Eggplant skin and flesh are extremely absorbent of oil and other ingredients. This is perfect for stuffing or in sauces, soups, and casseroles.

Enjoy moutabel dip with pita bread or crackers.

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 3 eggplants

  • 1/3 cup tahini

  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic

  • 1 to 3 green chile peppers, to taste

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 4 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat oven to 400 F.

    Lebanese Moutabel (Spicy Eggplant Dip) ingredients

    The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

  2. Place eggplants on a lightly greased baking sheet.

    Place eggplant on a lightly greased baking sheet

    The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

  3. Roast for 30 minutes, or until eggplants are tender. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

    Bake eggplant on a baking sheet

    The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

  4. Once eggplants have cooled, peel the skins. They should come off fairly easily. If you are having a tough time, just scoop the eggplant from the skin with a spoon. Set aside.

    Remove the skin from the baked eggplant

    The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

  5. In a food processor, combine and blend the tahini, garlic, and peppers.

    Combine the tahini, garlic, and peppers in a food processor

    The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

  6. Add the eggplant and blend well.

    Add eggplant to the spices in the food processor

    The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

  7. Add the olive oil.

    Oil added to the moutabel in the food processor

    The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

  8. Transfer to a serving bowl. Stir in the lemon juice and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    Lebanese Moutabel (Spicy Eggplant Dip)

    The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger

Tip

  • Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.

How do you select eggplant?

  • When at the market shopping for eggplants, choose eggplants that do not have brown spots on the skin or a stem that feels heavy for its size. The stem should be green and free of mold. Look for skin that is shiny and smooth without bruises or blemishes. When you apply gentle pressure, the skin should be resilient and bounce back.


Nutrition Facts (per serving)
181 Calories
8g Fat
29g Carbs
4g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 181
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 141mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Dietary Fiber 8g 29%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 19mg 96%
Calcium 40mg 3%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 441mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)