I love this Best Homemade Tahini Sauce Recipe because it’s so easy, versatile, quick, and totally yummy on everything. Made with simple ingredients, it’s quick, healthy, and perfect for everything—from falafel, grain bowls, and roasted vegetables to sandwiches, salads, and grilled proteins. Tahini sauce is a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, traditionally served with warm pita and falafel. Still, its rich and creamy texture makes it a delicious vegan, dairy-free dressing or dip. Whether a plant-based eater or a meat lover, this homemade tahini sauce will become your go-to condiment!
What is Tahini Sauce?
Tahini sauce is a creamy Middle Eastern condiment made from ground sesame seeds, lemon juice, ice water, garlic, and salt. It’s commonly served with falafel, pita, grilled meats, and vegetables, but it’s also a fantastic dressing for salads and grain bowls.
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.

Tahini Sauce Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Tahini Sauce Recipe:
Tahini Paste: Opt for high-quality, smooth tahini for the best flavor.
Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice balances the richness of tahini, making it lighter and brighter.
Ice Cubes or Water: Lightens the sauce and ensures a creamy consistency.
Garlic: Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor.
Kosher Salt: Enhances all the natural flavors in the sauce, making everything pop!
Optional- Herbs and Chili Oil: I love garnishing or topping this sauce with fresh herbs (my favorites are dill, parsley, cilantro, or mint) and just a whisper of chili oil for heat.
Find the full recipe with ingredients and directions below.
How to Make Tahini Sauce
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 lemon juice or salt if needed.
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 for a smoky twist and a vibrant red hue.
Herb Tahini Dressing: Add parsley, cilantro, or mint for freshness.
How to Use
This Homemade Tahini Sauce is fabulous as a sauce, dip, 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 place simple steamed rice, or go toasted with this pearl couscous, or nutty with this farro that’s super healthy as your base, then top it with raw veggies or roasted vegetables, or some roasted peppers, maybe some roasted beets, or some roasted tomatoes, or some tomato confit, and 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, or this finger-licking Teriyaki Chicken that’s finger-lickin’ good!
Vegetables: You can use this sauce to add a bit of pop drizzled over simply cooked vegetables like this Sautéed Kale, Garlicky Swiss chard, or even this Baby Bok Choy or Turnip Recipe, both super simple and easy.
How to Store
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.
FAQs About Tahini Sauce
Tahini sauce is nutty, creamy, slightly tangy, and rich with a hint of garlic.
Yes! Simply omit garlic for a milder flavor.
Yes! It’s rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.
More Favorite Sauce and Dressing Recipes
- Pistachio Pesto
- (Thai) Peanut Sauce
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Nuoc Cham-Nuoc Mam Pha
- Avocado Dressing
- Dill Sauce
- Basil Vinaigrette
- Tirokafteri
- Tahini Dressing

Best Easy Tahini Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring Cup Set
- Citrus Juicer
- Food Processor or Blender
- Rubber Spatula
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 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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