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Learn how to prepare a delicious tahini sauce and use it to add flair to your kitchen creations. This creamy, nutty, and aromatic sauce is a perfect complement to veggie sticks, falafel, roasted vegetables, and so much more!
Table of Contents
Dive into the heart of Middle Eastern cuisine with the magic of the best tahini sauce. This creamy, nutty condiment is a cornerstone of Middle Eastern cuisine, and it’s about to become your new go-to kitchen essential. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a curious foodie, you’ll love the versatility and rich flavor that tahini sauce brings to the table.
Tahini sauce might just be the unsung hero of vegan condiments. It’s incredibly easy to make and can transform any dish with its rich, creamy texture and nutty flavor. Give it a try! All you need is tahini paste, lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of ground cumin.
Tahini (or Tahina) is a rich, velvety paste made from toasted, ground sesame seeds. With its bold, nutty flavor and creamy texture, tahini is not just tasty but also nutritious, packed with healthy fats, protein, and minerals.
Sesame paste is most known for making hummus, but this tahini sauce recipe that you can whip up with it has its own fanbase. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, swirl it into Buddha bowls, use it as a delectable dip, or thin it out for a savory tahini salad dressing. It adds a distinctive nutty zing with a hint of citrus and a gentle whisper of garlic to any meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
How To Use It
One of the best things about tahini sauce is its adaptability. It’s a fantastic companion to so many dishes:
- Falafel – It’s the traditional companion to this classic street food.
- Dip – Perfect for dunking veggies, flatbread, or pita bread.
- Roasted Vegetables – It pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted vegetables.
- Baked Cauliflower – As a topping, it adds a surprising dimension to this whole roasted cauliflower.
- Sauce for Wraps or Sandwiches – It introduces a creamy texture and an intriguing taste to your sandwich.
- As Tahini Dressing for Salads – Thin the creamy tahini sauce with a bit more water or lemon juice for an easy tahini dressing.
- Buddha Bowl or Poke Bowl – Add a dollop to your bowls for extra richness.
- On Avocado Toast – Provides an extra layer of flavor.
Ingredients
See recipe card for quantities.
Hint: If you don’t like the taste of raw garlic or can’t eat it due to intolerances, just leave it out. The tahini sauce recipe will still be successful and taste delicious without garlic!
Visual Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix garlic and lemon juice and let it sit for 10 minutes. Strain it through a fine mesh sieve and use only the garlic-infused lemon juice.
- Add tahini, salt, and cumin and mix well.
- Gradually add ice water until the desired consistency is reached. The tahini sauce should be smooth and creamy! If you like, garnish the sauce with fresh herbs (chopped parsley or cilantro).
Variations
Dive into these creative takes on tahini sauce to find your unique flavor blend that speaks to your taste buds. Mix and match to customize the sauce exactly to your liking!
- Yogurt-Tahini Sauce: Mix Greek yogurt or soy yogurt into the sauce for extra creaminess and a milder flavor.
- Sweet: For a sweet version, omit the garlic and stir in a splash of maple syrup or honey. It tastes delicious as a dip for fresh fruit.
- Spicy: A pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of Sriracha adds a great kick.
- Herbs: Mix in chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or dill. For a green tahini sauce, pulse it a few times in a food processor.
- Asian: Add grated fresh ginger or a bit of miso paste.
- Turmeric: A pinch of turmeric gives the sauce a golden-yellow color.
Storage Instructions
The best way to store tahini sauce is in a mason jar in the fridge. It stays fresh for about 1 week. It usually thickens slightly, but you can thin it by adding water or lemon juice until it reaches the desired consistency.
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Tahini Sauce
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Ingredients
- ⅓ cup (75 g) tahini
- 1 lemon, only juice
- 1 clove garlic minced or grated
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 pinch ground cumin
- 2-3 tbsp ice water
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix garlic and lemon juice and let it sit for 10 minutes. Strain it through a fine mesh sieve and use only the garlic-infused lemon juice.
- Add tahini, salt, and cumin and mix well.
- Gradually add ice water until the desired consistency is reached. The tahini sauce should be smooth and creamy!
