Tahini sauce is a staple throughout the Middle East and popular in Mediterranean cuisine. It is commonly served with falafel, pita, grilled meats like shawarma, and vegetables, but it’s also a fantastic dressing for salads and grain bowls. It is also a main ingredient in homemade hummus.
I enjoyed making this Tahini Sauce recipe because it was so easy, versatile, quick, and totally yummy. It is made with simple ingredients, healthy, and perfect for everything—from falafel, grain bowls, and roasted vegetables to sandwiches, salads, and grilled proteins.
This creamy sauce with a subtle garlic flavor with a pop of lemon is rich and is a delicious vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free salad dressing or dip. Whether a plant-based eater or a meat lover, this homemade tahini sauce will become your go-to condiment!
How to Make Tahini Sauce?
Tahini sauce is nutty, creamy, slightly tangy, and rich with a hint of garlic. This homemade Tahini Sauce is amazing because it’s both vegan and dairy-free, yet still incredibly creamy and flavorful!
It’s perfect for drizzling over roasted vegetables, dipping with fresh pita, or even as a sandwich spread.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Tahini Sauce recipe:
Tahini Paste: Opt for high-quality, smooth sesame paste for the best flavor.
Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice balances the richness of tahini, making it lighter and brighter.
Ice Cubes or Extremely Cold Water: Lightens the sauce and ensures a creamy consistency.
Garlic Cloves: Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor.
Kosher Salt: Enhances all the natural flavors in the sauce, making everything pop! You can also use sea salt.
Optional-Herbs and Oil: I love garnishing or topping this sauce with fresh herbs (my favorites are fresh parsley, dil, cilantro, or mint) and just a whisper of chili oil for heat or olive oil for thickness.
Find the full recipe with ingredients and directions below.
Process
Gather & Prepare Ingredients: Juice lemons, peel garlic, and measure tahini.
Add Ingredients to Food Processor or Blender: Add the tahini paste, lemon juice, garlic, and salt to a food processor.
Blend: Blend until a paste. Wipe the sides of the food processor down with a spatula.
Thin: Add the ice cubes and blend until you don’t hear the cubes banging around, everything has melted, and the sauce is perfectly whipped and smooth, about 3-4 minutes. Periodically stop the processor and wipe down the edges to ensure all the tahini is properly mixed and smooth.
Taste & Adjust: Add extra salt and lemon juice if needed, to get to desired consistency.
Garnish & Serve: Top with fresh herbs (or chili oil if desired)
Variations
This Tahini Sauce is an excellent, dreamy, creamy place to start as a base. From here, you can take liberties and add and subtract ingredients as desired. Below are some creative options:
Turmeric Tahini Sauce: Add 1 tsp turmeric for a golden hue and anti-inflammatory boost.
Spicy Tahini Sauce: Stir in chili oil, cayenne, chili flakes, or harissa for heat.
Roasted Red Pepper Tahini: Blend in roasted red peppers and ground cumin for an earthy and smoky twist and a vibrant red hue.
Green Tahini Sauce: Add parsley, cilantro, or mint for freshness.
How to Use Tahini Sauce
This tahini recipe is fabulous as a sauce, dip with warm pita bread, and even a dressing for greens and veggies!
Below are some of my favorite ways to serve and use this sauce.
Grain Bowls: You can make your base with simple steamed rice, toasted pearl couscous, hearty bulgur wheat, or nutty farro that’s super healthy. Then you can top with a dollop of homemade hummus, lebanese baba ganoush, and roasted vegetables, roasted peppers, air fryer broccoli, roasted tomatoes or tomato confit, or some roasted beets. Drizzle this creamy dressing on top for the perfect bowl! You can even top it with a soft-boiled egg for jammy indulgence.
Salads: This sauce is wonderfully mixed with raw greens and veggies, and you can use it as a vinaigrette for simple salads like this Cucumber Tomato Salad or this summery Corn Salad, which is loaded with crunch and color.
Proteins: This sauce is fabulous to serve with simple proteins like this Pan Seared Salmon, this decadent Duck Breast Recipe that’s sure to impress.
Vegetables: You can use this sauce to add a bit of pop drizzled over simply cooked vegetables like this sautéed kale or garlicky Swiss chard.
Storage Instructions
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Separation Fix: Stir or shake well before using.
Freezing: Not recommended, as the texture may change.
Tahini Sauce
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup tahini paste
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 large ice cubes (or 4 smaller)
- Optional: 1 tbs fresh herbs (parsley, dill, chives, tarragon or mint)
Instructions
- Add the tahini paste, lemon juice, garlic, and salt to a food processor.
- Blend until a paste. Wipe the sides of the food processor down with a spatula.
- Add the ice cubes (or 1/4 cup water- make sure it’s icy cold) ,and blend until you don’t hear the cubes banging around, everything has melted, and the sauce is perfectly whipped and smooth about 3-4 minutes.
- Periodically stop the processor and wipe down the edges to ensure all the tahini is properly mixed and smooth.
- Season to taste with additional salt if necessary, and add herbs if desired.
Notes
How to Store Tahini Sauce Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Separation Fix: Stir or shake well before using. Freezing: Not recommended, as the texture may change.
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