Tahini Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

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Table Of Contents hide

  • Why You’ll Love This Tahini Sauce Recipe
  • What Is Tahini Sauce?
  • How To Make Tahini Sauce
  • Tahini Sauce Recipe Variations
  • Storage Instructions
  • Ways To Use Tahini Sauce
  • Recommended Tools
  • Tahini Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes!)

If you’re bored with the same old sauces, you need to change it up and learn how to make tahini sauce. It’s delicious, it’s versatile, it takes just 5 minutes, and I think you’re going to want to put this tahini sauce recipe on just about everything! Whether you use it as a salad dressing, scoop it as a dip, or drizzle it over your zucchini noodles, this sauce has become one of my new faves — and soon yours, too. 😉

Why You’ll Love This Tahini Sauce Recipe

  • Nutty, tangy, and savory toasted sesame seed flavor
  • Smooth, creamy texture
  • Simple ingredients
  • Naturally low carb, gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, and just plain healthy
  • So many ways to use it
  • The best tahini sauce in just 5 minutes!
Tahini Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (2)

What Is Tahini Sauce?

Tahini sauce is a creamy Mediterranean or Middle Eastern sauce made from ground sesame seeds and common pantry staples. The flavor is somewhat similar to hummus. Tahini paste by itself is like a nut butter in texture, but tahini sauce is thinner and used for drizzling over vegetables, salads, meats, and more.

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for homemade tahini sauce, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Tahini Paste – Sometimes just labeled tahini for short, this is simply sesame seeds that have been ground to make a seed butter, similar to how almonds are ground to make almond butter. It’s the key ingredient in tahini sauce (and also the key ingredient in hummus).

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VARIATION: Make your own tahini!

I usually buy tahini (this is my favorite brand), but you can also make your own from sesame seeds. Simply blend (raw or toasted) sesame seeds in a food processor for about 5 minutes, until a smooth sesame seed butter (tahini) forms. If it’s too thick, you can add a little sesame oil.

  • Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves give this sauce the best flavor, but you could use 1 teaspoon jarred garlic instead. 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder would also work in a pinch, but is less ideal.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil – You can also try sesame oil, or a neutral oil like avocado oil.
  • Water – Thins out the sauce.
  • Lemon Juice – Adds a tangy flavor. Fresh lemon juice tastes best, but I sometimes use bottled lemon juice for convenience. You can also use lime juice for a different flavor.
  • Spices – A combination of ground cumin, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper.
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How To Make Tahini Sauce

This section shows how to make basic tahini sauce, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Blend the ingredients. Combine the tahini, garlic, olive oil, water, lemon juice, and spices in ablender or food processor. Puree until smooth.
  2. Thin out as needed. Add more water, a tablespoon at a time, until the tahini sauce reaches your desired consistency.

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TIP: Adjust the thickness based on how you’ll use it.

Leave it thicker if you plan on using it as a dip, and add water to thin it out if you are going to use it as a dressing or sauce.

Tahini Sauce Recipe Variations

This is a basic lemon garlic tahini sauce recipe, but you can also customize it with different flavors. Try these variations:

  • Spicy – For a spicy tahini sauce, add a tablespoon of sriracha or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Herby – Make a green tahini sauce by adding 1/2 cup of fresh herbs! Try fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, chives, mint, or a combination.
  • Sweet – Add a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey for a hint of sweetness. You can also use zero sugar maple syrup or zero sugar honey for this!
  • Yogurt – Stir in 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt. Any of the fresh herbs above would also work nicely in tahini yogurt sauce.

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Keep in a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week. If it gets too thick, bring to room temperature first, and if it’s still thick, whisk or blend in some water to thin it out again.
  • Freeze: Transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. I love freezing in this silicone tray for perfect portions!
Tahini Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (8)

Ways To Use Tahini Sauce

This tahini sauce recipe goes with all kinds of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, but it also works well on simple, neutral foods. Here are a few ideas:

  • Salads – This sauce doubles as a tahini dressing! Swap out the dressing in a Mediterranean chickpea salad, classic Greek salad, Mediterranean quinoa salad, or a simple cucumber tomato salad.
  • Raw Veggies – Use it as a dip for cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, carrots, or bell peppers.
  • Cooked Veggies – Drizzle it over roasted asparagus (pictured above), sweet and smoky shish*to peppers, tender roasted cauliflower, or my personal favorite, sauteed eggplant recipes.
  • Falafel – One of the most popular uses for tahini sauce!
  • Bowls – Make a bowl with rice or cauliflower rice, your protein of choice, and veggies, then drizzle the sauce over it. I even like it on burger bowls!
  • Noodles – The original reason I made this sauce was to serve over cucumber noodles, but it would be just as delicious on regular pasta if it fits your lifestyle, spaghetti squash, or zoodles.
  • Meats – Pair it with lamb kofta kebab, use it instead of tzatziki sauce for gyros (with or without pita bread), or serve over grilled foods (I love it with Mediterranean chicken kabobs).
  • Blender – I use this blender daily and it makes this tahini dressing recipe so easy.

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Recipe Card

Tahini Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (10)

5 from 13 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Tahini Sauce Recipe (5 Minutes!)

Make this tahini sauce recipe in 5 minutes, with simple ingredients: tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and spices. Amazing on everything!

Prep: 5 minutes

Total: 5 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 6 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

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Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  1. Combine all ingredients for the tahini sauce in a blender. Puree until smooth.

  2. Check the consistency and add more water, a tablespoon at a time, if needed to thin out to a dressing consistency.

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  • Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe

  • Mediterranean Chicken Recipe

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2 tablespoons

Makes 3/4 cup.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories121

Fat12.1g

Protein1.9g

Total Carbs2.8g

Net Carbs2.2g

Fiber0.6g

Sugar0.2g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Condiment

Cuisine:Mediterranean

Keywords:tahini sauce, tahini sauce recipe

Calories: 121 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

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FAQs

How do you make tahini sauce not bitter? ›

If it is too bitter, stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey. And if the flavor is too sharp, mellow it with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon olive oil.

What can I do with a jar of tahini? ›

Tahini isn't just for hummus. Here are 10 recipes to use up that jar.
  1. Cold Sesame Noodles With Shredded Chicken, above. ...
  2. Chocolate Chunk Tahini Blondies. ...
  3. Salad With Crispy Spiced Chickpeas and Tahini Dressing. ...
  4. Chewy Cranberry, Millet and Pistachio Bars. ...
  5. Tahini-Dressed Zucchini and Green Bean Salad.
Aug 12, 2019

Does tahini go bad after opening? ›

The shelf-life is 2+ years (fridge or pantry), but please reference the “best by” date for the freshest, most delectable flavor. How long does Soom Tahini last after opening? Soom Tahini can last for a year after opening. The only thing that will make tahini “turn” is contamination with moisture.

Why does tahini thicken with lemon juice? ›

Much of its makeup is carbohydrates, and when a small amount of juice (or any water-containing liquid) is added to tahini, a portion of each carbohydrate molecule is drawn to the water. As a result, clumps of carbohydrates appear.

Why does my tahini sauce taste bitter? ›

Bitterness is generally part and parcel of tahini - it's how ground sesame seeds taste. What you will find, however, is that some tahini can taste more bitter than others. This is down to a few things; like how that particular tahini is processed, or the levels of something called oxalic acid in the hulls of the seeds.

Why does my tahini taste bitter? ›

Your tahini has probably gone bad if it's bitter. Though if you had Asian style sesame paste, you should water it down before using.

Can I use tahini straight from the jar? ›

Most high-quality brands contain just one ingredient: roasted sesame seeds. It's not as sweet as most nut butters and can be used like peanut butter (or eaten straight off a spoon).

How long does tahini last once opened in the fridge? ›

“Once the tahini is mixed with water, you're supposed to refrigerate it,” Zitelman says, “but it doesn't last for more than five to seven days in the fridge.”

What pairs well with tahini? ›

Tahini is a staple in North African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean (Greek, Turkish, Israeli) cuisines, and it pairs well with eggplant, cilantro and yogurt (all popular in those cuisines, as well).

Can I freeze tahini? ›

Or you can also freeze tahini for 3-4 months, which is a great way to extend its shelf life. To freeze tahini, be sure to first give the tahini a thorough stir. Then transfer it to an airtight jar or container, leaving some headspace as the tahini may expand slightly as it freezes.

Should I refrigerate tahini? ›

How to Store Tahini. Since it's very high in oil, keep tahini refrigerated once you've opened it to prevent it from going rancid too quickly. It gets difficult to stir once it's chilled, so be sure to thoroughly mix it before putting it in the refrigerator.

What does rancid tahini taste like? ›

Although its shelf life can vary depending on factors related to how it is made, such as roasting, it will generally stay good for months, if not years. Like other nut and seed pastes, expired tahini has a musty, stale smell and tastes noticeably bitter and funky.

Why do I love tahini so much? ›

Made of ground sesame seeds, tahini offers a richer, more savory flavor profile than your standard peanut butter. And it's way more versatile. It's just as good drizzled over greens as it is starring in a cookie recipe.

Should you stir tahini? ›

Once you get your jar of tahini home, you want to open it up and give it a stir to make sure it's incorporated. (If the oil has fully separated, such as in the photo above, Food editor Joe Yonan uses an immersion blender to reincorporate it, after which he says it stays emulsified.)

Why is tahini so delicious? ›

Explained simply, tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds that have been roasted and then ground. A staple food in Middle Eastern cuisine, quality tahini is slightly salty, nutty and creamy—a smooth nut butter delicious enough to eat with a spoon.

Is tahini sauce supposed to be bitter? ›

The sesame seed paste has “a strong, earthy taste with bitter undertones, but it should be a very pleasant bitterness with a hint of sweetness when it first hits the palate,” Reem Kassis writes in “The Arabesque Table.” It is one of the key ingredients in hummus, responsible for the dip's slight nuttiness, but it can ...

Which tahini is not bitter? ›

#1: Baron's Organic Tahini

Naturally mild sweetness and not too bitter. Texture: 5 – About as creamy and smooth as it gets. Overall thoughts: 4.25 – We love how easy it is to stir and how creamy it is, and the flavor was pretty delicious.

How do you mix tahini before using? ›

If you're working with a jar of tahini, the first thing you'll need to do is give it a good stir. Tahini can be quite thick and can settle at the bottom of the jar, so it's important to make sure it's evenly mixed before using it. Once your tahini is mixed, you can start adding it to your recipes.

Is hulled tahini less bitter? ›

You'll see tahini labelled as hulled or unhulled. Unhulled tahini is made from the whole sesame seed and tends to be more bitter than the hulled variety.

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