Make this easy Tahini Sauce recipe, perfect for dipping falafel and adding to tasty bowls. We love this homemade recipe because it's super creamy, and all you need is a whisk to make it!
Why This Recipe is the Best
Homemade Tahini Sauce is one of those go-to staples that brings everything together. Its rich, nutty flavor and ultra-creamy texture are the perfect complement to roasted vegetables, grain bowls, wraps, and salads.
We especially love how easy it is to make with just a few wholesome ingredients-no fancy tools required. The lemon and garlic add a bright, savory kick that balances the sesame perfectly. Once you try this from-scratch version, you'll be hooked!
Try our homemade Peanut Sauce, Yum Yum Sauce, and Buffalo Sauce for some bold yet easy-to-make flavors.
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Key Ingredients
So what is tahini sauce and what goes in it? This DIY sauce hits the spot! It's wholesome, and we use ingredients that make it both dairy-free and vegan.
- Tahini- Buying a high-quality tahini will give you the smoothest results. Remember, tahini is naturally bitter.
- Lemon juice- For the perfect lemon zest and to complement the flavors of the tahini.
- Cold water- Tahini gets gloopy when mixed with warm water. It maintains a great texture when cold water is mixed with it. We even put ice in it to make sure the water stays cold.
- Garlic- Use minced garlic for a stronger flavor. Garlic powder can be used as well.
- Maple syrup- Maple syrup is key to cutting the bitterness of the tahini back. If you want a strong tahini flavor, make sure to use a small amount of syrup. But add more if you don't like how bitter the sauce is.
How to make Tahini Sauce
This homemade dip is so easy to make! It's quick and easy and makes for a perfect dip for cucumbers, pita chips, and more!
- In a small mixing bowl, add all the ingredients.
- Mix the ingredients until they begin to form together.
- Continue to whisk until a smooth mixture forms.
Hint: It is key to use cold water when mixing all of the ingredients. If you use room temperature or warm water, a strange consistency will form.
How To Serve
We love serving this with our Shawarma bowl, homemade hummus, tzatziki sauce, and tahini dressing. You can even serve it with our Chicken Shawarma, for added flavor.
This tahini sauce is amazing when served with falafel. The combination of textures and tastes is so good!
We love using this as a dip and dipping vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, and tomatoes. Try also serving it on roasted vegetables like roasted cauliflower. Use it as a pasta sauce for a unique flavor!
Top tip
Make this sauce as thick or runny as you would like. We like to dip things in it, so we tend to go easy on the water to keep it thicker. You can also add olive oil to help enhance the flavor.
Recipe
Tahini Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup tahini high quality works best
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 4-8 Tablespoons COLD water see note 1
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt or more, to taste
- 1-6 teaspoons maple syrup see note 2
Instructions
- Combine tahini, lemon juice, 4 Tablespoons COLD water, garlic, salt and maple syrup together in a small mixing bowl. Use a whisk and whisk until smooth. Add more water as needed, a tablespoon at a time until sauce has reached your desired consistency.
Notes
- Tahini is an interesting substance in that if you mix warm water with it becomes all gloopy and weird. Make sure your water is cold (I put ice in mine!) so that it will emulsify and come together beautifully.
- Some people like their tahini sauce really strong on the tahini, others like it sweet. The sweetness can help cut some of the bitterness of tahini. We liked it with about 3 teaspoons maple syrup. Let your taste buds be your guide!
- If you find the flavor to be too sharp, try adding a little olive oil, it should help mellow out the flavor.
- I like my tahini sauce to be a little thick so it will stick to the veggies I am dipping in it, so I don't tend to add extra water to mine.
- See the post above for fun flavor add-in ideas.
Nutrition
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Tahini Sauce:
Substitutions and Variations
Try some of our favorite substitutions and variations for different fun flavors!
- Spicy- Double the syrup and add 1 or more Tablespoons sriracha, to taste.
- Yogurt- Make the tahini sauce as directed. Then stir in ¾ cup Greek yogurt.
- Garlic- Double the garlic for a stronger garlic dip.
Storing Tahini Sauce
This recipe can last in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It will separate so it's important to remix it before serving. You can even freeze tahini. Freeze in an airtight container for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and mix before serving. The texture may change after freezing.
Andrea says
This sauce recipe is so easy to make and has a great flavor for dipping vegetables, pita chips and adding to grain bowls.