BEST Tahini Sauce Recipe-How to Make Tahini Saue (Video) (2024)

The BEST authentic tahini sauce recipe with garlic, lime juice and fresh parsley! Be sure to watch my video and grab my tips below. This rich, flavor-packed vegan sauce is popular throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and it can elevate any meal from kabobs to falafel sandwiches and everything in between. Perfect served as part of mezze with some warm pita and fresh veggies too!

More Middle Eastern recipes to try: Baba Ghanoush; Mujadara (Lebanese Rice and Lentils); Fattoush Salad; Grilled Lamb Chops; Za’atar Chicken

BEST Tahini Sauce Recipe-How to Make Tahini Saue (Video) (1)

It used to be such an obscure and exotic ingredient to most North American Cooks, but it seems tahini is everywhere now. This humble Middle Eastern staple has made a splash in the health-food market, trendy restaurants, and in home kitchens–adding nutrition, irresistible creaminess and depth to many dishes. And this tahini fanatic does not mind one little bit!

What is tahini? Where to Find It? ETC…

Before we get to today’s tahini sauce recipe, let’s address a few questions you may have:

– What is tahini? Tahini (pronounced te-hi-ni or ta-hi-na) is a staple of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Cooking. Tahini is a super creamy, rich vegan paste made by finely grinding roasted sesame seeds until buttery smooth. I’ve heard some referring to tahini as a “nut butter” of sorts. It’s important to remember though that seeds–sesame, sunflower, poppy, and pumpkin–come from plant families that are not closely related to nut-producing trees.

– What does tahini taste like? Good tahini should be rich and luxurious and should taste mildly nutty and savory. Bad tahini paste, on the other hand, could taste bitter and chalky.

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– Where to find tahini paste? I often get questions about where to buy tahini and which brands to use. You can find tahini paste at some specialty Mediterranean and Middle Eastern stores, but why go there when you can purchase it directly from us! We found the best tahini out there and decided to carry it in our store to make it easier for you to purchase. For a full guide to this incredible Mediterranean ingredient, check out our What Is Tahini article.

How to Use tahini paste? Tahini is used in many things from the ever-popular classic hummus (a must-try!) to sweet desserts like these tahini brownies–quite possibly the best brownies I have ever tasted.

But today, we tackle a super important use of tahini: Tahini Sauce, known at my house as awesome sauce!

BEST Tahini Sauce!

Tahini sauce is popular throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East. This simple, tangy, and flavor-packed sauce is made by blending rich, nutty tahini paste with citrus (lemon juice or lime juice), fresh garlic, and a little bit of water to aid the consistency.

BEST Tahini Sauce Recipe-How to Make Tahini Saue (Video) (3)

If you like your tahini sauce spicy, add a pinch of cayenne or a little mild aleppo pepper.

In this recipe, I add a large handful of fresh chopped parsley to make a popular Egyptian version of tahini sauce we call tahini bqaudoonis or tahini with parsley. Fresh mint or dill can be used in place of parsley, if you like.

You can make this easy tahini sauce ahead of time and save it in the fridge for 2 to 3 days or so.

BEST Tahini Sauce Recipe-How to Make Tahini Saue (Video) (4)

Step-By-Step for this Tahini Sauce Recipe

-Place crushed or minced garlic (with salt), tahini paste, and lime juice (or lemon juice to the bowl of a food processor. Blend.BEST Tahini Sauce Recipe-How to Make Tahini Saue (Video) (5)

– Tahini sauce will first get thick as it emulsifies. Add a little bit of water at a time and blend again until you reach the desired consistency similar to salad dressing. Taste and adjust salt.

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– Transfer to a serving bowl and stir in fresh parsley. Serve with warm pita and a side of veggies (more ideas below!)

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How to Serve Tahini Sauce?

There are so many ways to enjoy tahini sauce. I use it more often than I can count as part of a big mezze table; to jazz up sandwiches like falafel pitas or chicken shawarama; or to drizzle on top of grilled kabobs, roasted fish, or roasted cauliflower. I also serve it just with a few fresh veggies and some warm pita bread. The possibilities are endless!

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Watch the Video for How To Make Tahini Sauce

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Tahini Sauce Recipe (How to Make Tahini)

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5 from 74 reviews

  • Author: The Mediterranean Dish
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 tbsp (serves 5) 1x
Print Recipe

Description

BEST tahini sauce recipe with lime juice, fresh garlic and parsley! Serve it as part of your mezze table, or use it to jazz up sandwiches like falafel pitas or chicken shawarma; or to drizzle on things like roasted cauliflower. The possibilities are endless!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 12 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup tahini paste
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (or lemon juice, if you prefer)
  • 1/4 cup cold water, more if needed
  • 1 cup fresh chopped parsley leaves, stems removed first (optional)

Instructions

  1. Using a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic cloves with the salt into a paste (or mince the garlic and season with salt.)
  2. Add the crushed garlic, tahini paste and lime juice to the bowl of a food processor and blend (it will be thick as it emulsifies.) Add a little bit of water and blend again until you reach the desired consistency.
  3. Transfer the tahini to a serving bowl, and if you like stir in fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Cook’s Tip: Use only a little bit of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Generally, tahini sauce should have a runny, salad dressing-like consistency. But, if you prefer tahini more as a dip, simply use less water.
  • Cook’s Tip: Double this recipe if you’re serving a large number of people, it will be consumed fast!
  • Make Ahead Tip: You can make this tahini sauce ahead of time, refrigerate in a tight-lid container for 2 to 3 days.
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Category: Dips and Appetizers
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

*This post first appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2016. It has been recently updated with new information and media for readers’ benefit. Enjoy!

I’m Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I’m all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you’re here…
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BEST Tahini Sauce Recipe-How to Make Tahini Saue (Video) (2024)

FAQs

How do you make tahini sauce not bitter? ›

If your tahini is dry, or if you prefer a thinner sauce, add more water, as needed, to reach your desired consistency. Then, taste and adjust your seasonings. If you prefer a brighter sauce, add more lemon. If it is too bitter, stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey.

Why is my tahini not creamy? ›

Adding a few tablespoons of mild-tasting oil is helpful.

This helps the tahini become more smooth, creamy, and drippy. You can use less oil, but the tahini won't be as easy to pour. I find 3 to 4 tablespoons perfect for a texture like store-bought tahini.

What is tahini sauce made of? ›

What is tahini sauce? Tahini sauce is a Middle Eastern condiment that is served with many dishes from the region. It's made with only 3 main ingredients: tahini paste, which is crushed sesame seeds, lemon juice, and garlic. Tahini is made by grinding toasted, hulled sesame seeds to create a creamy, smooth spread.

Why is homemade tahini 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 is tahini so healthy? ›

Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds. It's rich in important nutrients like fiber, protein, copper, phosphorus, and selenium and may reduce heart disease risk and inflammation. What's more, test-tube and animal studies suggest that sesame seeds may have anticancer properties.

What is the least bitter tahini? ›

#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 long does tahini last once opened? ›

Once opened, tahini can be refrigerated to maintain its freshness. Expect it to last from three weeks to one year, depending on its composition and storage conditions. You can also keep it in the pantry after opening the jar, but it may spoil more quickly.

What thickens tahini? ›

When a small amount of lemon juice (or water) is added to the tahini or peanut butter, the hydrophilic dry particles are drawn to the water. As a result, it clumps up. As water is added, more clumps develop, causing the tahini to thicken overall.

Should tahini have oil on top? ›

Because tahini contains no extra ingredients or emulsifiers, it can—and usually will—separate into oil (on the top) and solids (at the bottom), just like an all-natural peanut butter. A quick stir or shake should be enough to return it to a cohesive pourable or spoonable state.

What kind of blender is best for tahini? ›

Use a high-powered blender.

I love my Vitamix blender and it works great. Just remember to use the tamper to help push the seeds down into the blades. For a Ninja blender, readers have said this blender works just fine, but you might need a bit more oil as you're blending.

How can you tell if tahini is rancid? ›

Tahini can go bad, especially if it's exposed to moisture or direct heat. It will have a noticeable, sharp rancid smell.

What's the difference between tahini and tahini sauce? ›

Tahini paste is just ground sesame seeds. Period. In comparison, tahini sauce is made by thinning the paste to a consistency similar to a thick cream, typically by adding other ingredients. My family's recipe adds lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil to our tahini sauce.

How to make tahini less bitter? ›

How to make tahini sauce less bitter. As I mentioned earlier, your best bet to get a less bitter dressing is to use hulled tahini. If you're using the hulled tahini and you still find it bitter, the maple syrup is there to add a slightly sweet note and to offset any of the bitterness.

Is tahini more healthy than peanut butter? ›

They're both healthy, dietitians say. Tahini is lower in carbohydrates and sugars than peanut butter is making it a better choice for people who follow low-carb diets, Politi notes. Both foods are predominantly fat, though peanut butter has a little more protein, Young adds.

What is a good substitute for tahini? ›

Almond Butter: Almond butter takes the lead as a top tahini alternative due to its similar texture, color, and flavor. While slightly sweeter and less bitter, a dash of extra salt can balance the sweetness, making it ideal for both savory and sweet dishes.

What are the ingredients in store bought tahini? ›

Ingredients: Organic Ground Toasted Sesame Seed, Salt.

Where do I find tahini in the grocery store? ›

In most grocery stores, tahini is either in the aisle with other condiments like peanut butter or in the aisle with international foods. You can also find it at a specialty or Middle Eastern grocery. It is sold shelf-stable in glass or plastic jars and is not refrigerated.

What is tahini and how does it taste? ›

How Does Tahini Taste? Tahini has a very earthy flavor and is slightly bitter, but not overpowering. Although the spread resembles peanut butter and other nut butters, it does not have a similarly sweet flavor profile. The toasted sesame seed flavor shines through in this creamy, rich ingredient.

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