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    Home » All Recipes » Sauces, Condiments, Dressings

    Tahini Sauce Recipe

    July 31, 2024 By Melissa Huggins / 1 Comment

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    Jump to Recipe

    Tahini Sauce is a simple, versatile condiment that is easy to whip up and adds a delicious nutty, tangy flavor to any dish. Plus, it takes just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes to put together. You'll want to put it on everything!

    Spoon being pulled out of a bowl of tahini sauce.

    Whether drizzling it over a fresh salad, spreading it on a sandwich, or using it as a dip, Tahini Sauce is a game-changer. It boasts a unique taste that's both nutty and tangy. The sesame seeds give it a rich, earthy flavor, while the lemon juice adds a zesty kick making it anything but boring.

    It's a common addition to shawarma, gyro, and falafel wraps, but goes so well with almost anything. You'll love it with my mushroom shawarma, roasted veggies, or these grilled portobello mushroom steaks. I love drizzling it on tofu scramble or white bean avocado toast for added richness and protein.

    While tahini itself is a paste made from ground sesame seeds, tahini sauce typically involves blending tahini with ingredients like lemon juice, garlic, water, and sometimes olive oil or yogurt. This transformation into a sauce is believed to have ancient origins, with its earliest uses found in Middle Eastern cuisine.

    Ingredients Needed

    It takes just 6 ingredients to pull this sauce together. Here is what you'll need:

    Ingredients to make the sauce displayed on a gray stone table top.
    • Tahini - A good tahini makes all the difference. Look for a brand that’s smooth and not too bitter. I highly recommend Soom tahini.
    • Lemon Juice - Fresh is best here! Lime juice will work in a pinch but will change the flavor.
    • Granulated Garlic - For a stronger garlic flavor, use 1 small clove of crushed garlic.
    • Ground Cumin - You can omit this if you don't have it.
    • Cold Water - The cold water smooths it out faster, but room temp will work too.

    How to make Tahini Sauce

    Now that you've gathered your ingredients, you're just minutes away from making this easy and delicious tahini sauce. Here's how to do it:

    A 3 photo collage demonstrating how to whisk the ingredients in a glass bowl.
    1. In a small bowl, whisk the tahini, lemon, garlic, cumin, salt, and 2 tablespoons of water to combine.
    2. It’ll be fairly thick at this point so add 1 tablespoon of water and whisk again. Repeat with the remaining water only if needed. The consistency should be somewhat thin like a pourable dressing, yet thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
    3. Taste for flavor and adjust if needed.Place in the fridge until ready to serve. It may thicken in the fridge, so just add a splash
      of water and stir.

    Variations

    One of the best things about tahini sauce is its versatility. You can easily customize it to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few ideas:

    • Herbs: Add some chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a burst of fresh flavor.
    • Heat: Mix in a few dashes of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a kick.
    • Zest: Add a ½ teaspoon of sumac for a tangy, lemony twist.

    Storing Recommendations

    It stores beautifully, making it a great make-ahead option. Here’s how to keep it fresh:

    • Refrigeration: Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to a week. If it thickens too much, just add a little water and stir.
    • Freezing: Pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some room for expansion, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and stir well before using.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use it as a salad dressing?

    Absolutely! Tahini sauce makes a fantastic salad dressing. Just thin it out with a bit more water or lemon juice to reach your desired consistency.

    Stirring tahini sauce in a small white bowl.

    More condiment recipes to try

    • Vegan Peanut Sauce
    • Vegan Tartar Sauce
    • Creamy Chipotle Sauce

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  rating and sharing your feedback in the comment section below. It would make my day!

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    Recipe

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    5 from 1 vote

    Tahini Sauce

    Tahini Sauce is a simple, versatile condiment that is easy to whip up and adds a delicious nutty, tangy flavor to any dish. Plus, it takes just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes to put together. You'll want to put it on everything!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time10 minutes mins
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Vegan
    Servings: 5 people
    Calories: 73kcal
    Author: Melissa Huggins

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup tahini (see note)
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice , fresh-squeezed
    • ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt , more to taste
    • 3-4 tablespoons cold water , more as needed

    Recommended Equipment

    • Small Bowl
    • Whisk
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, add the tahini, lemon, garlic, cumin, salt, and only 2 tablespoons of water to start. Whisk together until combined. It’ll start to seize up and be fairly thick at this point so add 1 tablespoon of water and whisk again.
    • Repeat with the remaining water only if needed. The consistency should be somewhat thin like a pourable dressing, yet thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Taste for flavor and adjust if needed.
    • Place in the fridge until ready to serve. It may thicken in the fridge, so just add a splash of water and stir.

    Notes

    Tahini - A good tahini makes all the difference. Look for a brand that’s smooth and not too bitter. I highly recommend Soom tahini.
    If your tahini sauce has a slightly bitter aftertaste, you can add a dash of agave nectar or light olive oil to mellow it out. 
    If your tahini is separated in the jar, give it a good store before use. 
    Add-In Ideas: To amp up your tahini sauce you can add sumac, fresh-chopped parsley, and a few dashes of hot sauce (I like Tabasco). 
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 84mg | Sugar: 0.2g
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    About Melissa

    I’m Melissa Huggins – the creator of Vegan Huggs. I started this blog to share delicious vegan recipes that everyone will love. Yep, that includes carnivores, too! Read more...

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      5 from 1 vote

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sharon Stergis

      August 02, 2024 at 7:16 pm

      5 stars
      Authentic. Adding garlic is challenged. Wrong. This is one of only two sauces(the other being vinegrette/lemon)that are my favorite.

      Reply

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