Tahini Sauce
This easy tahini sauce recipe is delicious on everything from falafel to grilled eggplant!
We have been cooking most of our meals these days (shalom, quarantine). And as much as we both love to cook (I’m lucky my husband cooks as much as I do) we are getting a weeee bit bored. And are always looking for ways to spice up easy dishes. My favorite way to do this? Sauces! You can grill some chicken and switch it up completely depending on the sauce. And this tahini sauce is one of my favorites.
What Is Tahini?
What is tahini? I’m glad you asked! Tahini is a condiment made from toasted sesame seeds and is so good. It’s a staple on everything in Israel. Think how in the US they give you ketchup with every meal, well, in Israel it’s tahini! Cool, tight? If you’ve had hummus, then you’ve had tahini. It’s a key ingredient.
How to Use Tahini Sauce
This tahini sauce is a perfect creamy way to use tahini. (Tahini can also be used in everything drizzling over potatoes to using it in desserts!) What can you use this tahini sauce on? More like what CAN’T you use it on. Seriously, you can even make it sweet with some silan (date syrup) or honey and dip dark chocolate into. Drool. But my favorite options: salmon, chicken, roasted eggplant or other vegetables, my Chicken Shawarma Lettuce Wraps, falafel, dip pita in it. Anything!
Tahini Sauce Tips and Variations
Plus, you can get creative with the seasonings. Add a little fresh or dried garlic, paprika, cumin, fresh cilantro, etc. to switch up the flavor profile. I love how one basic recipe can turn into so many ideas. This is how to cook!! Use what you have. Let me know how you enjoy this tahini sauce! And you may want to double it, it’s so good.
How to Make Tahini Sauce
Making tahini sauce could not be easier. Whisk together tahini paste, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, and a little salt, then slowly stream in cold water while whisking constantly. The mixture will seize up and look grainy at first, but keep adding water a tablespoon at a time and it turns silky, smooth, and pourable. Taste and adjust the lemon, garlic, and salt until it is just right. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
Tahini Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons tahini paste
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise Greek yogurt works too if you aren't keeping it parve
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Water to thin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: cumin, paprika, fresh cilantro, za'atar etc
Instructions
- To make the creamy tahini sauce, mix together tahini, mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, lemon juice and olive oil in a medium bowl or a food chopper and add enough water to get a thick but runny texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Feel free to double this and use on veggies, salmon, etc.Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tahini Sauce FAQ
Is tahini sauce the same as tahini?
Not quite. Tahini is the pure paste made from ground toasted sesame seeds. Tahini sauce is tahini thinned and seasoned with lemon juice, garlic, salt, and water until it becomes a smooth, pourable sauce.
What does tahini sauce taste like?
Rich, nutty, and creamy with a bright, lemony tang and a gentle sesame bitterness. Garlic adds savory depth, and you can dial the flavor up or down to taste.
What do you eat tahini sauce with?
Just about everything! It is classic on falafel, shawarma, and sabich, and delicious over roasted eggplant, grilled chicken or salmon, salads, buddha bowls, and pita. It also makes a great veggie dip.
Why is my tahini sauce bitter or too thick?
A little bitterness is natural, but very bitter sauce usually means the tahini is old or low quality, so start with a fresh, good jar and balance it with lemon and salt. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in cold water one tablespoon at a time until it is pourable.
How long does tahini sauce last?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, tahini sauce keeps for up to 1 week. It thickens as it chills, so whisk in a splash of water to loosen it before serving.
Is tahini sauce healthy?
Yes. Tahini is rich in healthy fats, plant protein, calcium, and iron, which makes this sauce a nutritious, naturally vegan and gluten-free way to add big flavor to a meal.
6 Comments
welcome back…I missed your recipies…this recipie seems easy but I’m wondering if the mayo vs yogurt changes the taste from sweeter to more tangy??
Thanks! Mayo is a little richer. I usually use half mayo half full-fat Greek yogurt and it’s delicious!
Made this a couple of times now, really goes great as a dipping sauce for my fried zucchini spears.
Awesome! Great idea with the zucchini dipping/
El único ingrediente necesario para hacer tahini son las semillas de sésamo; podemos usarlas crudas -el resultado tiene un punto de amargura, suave pero que no gusta a todo el mundo- o tostadas. Yo, si tengo la opción y el tiempo, prefiero tostarlas en casa: no lleva más que cinco minutos en una sartén a fuego medio-bajo, removiendo muy a menudo para que no se quemen. Sabremos que están listas cuando tengan un color dorado y huelan bien.
Sí, me gusta el tahini solo, ¡pero esta es una salsa cremosa para hacer con él!