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    Home » Dips & Sauces » Tahini Sauce

    Tahini Sauce

    Last updated: Jun 1, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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    This 10-minute tahini sauce recipe is so flavorful and so easy to make. Simply mix a few ingredients in a bowl, then serve.

    You can also make this tasty dip ahead of time, refrigerate it, and use it later. It's absolutely wonderful with fresh-cut vegetables or as a topping to meat and chicken.

    Tahini sauce served with fresh-cut vegetables.

    Middle-eastern meals often begin with mezze, a delightful assortment of dips and sauces, pickles, and warm pita bread.

    One of these dips is tahini sauce, a thick and flavorful dip made from sesame butter, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. As it turns out, it's very easy to make this tasty sauce at home! Here's a good recipe for you to try.

    Other easy no-bake dip recipes that I like include these recipes for sour cream dip, cream cheese dip, ranch dressing, and Greek yogurt dip.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Tahini Sauce Instructions
    • Expert Tip
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing Leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few ingredients to make this very flavorful sauce. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    • Tahini: This is often sold as "sesame butter." The only ingredient should be ground sesame seeds.
    • Minced garlic: Mince it by yourself or use the stuff that comes in a jar.
    • Kosher salt: If using fine salt, you might want to reduce the amount you use.
    • Olive oil: Extra-virgin has the best flavor and I highly recommend using it in this recipe.
    • Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best.
    • Water: To thin out the sauce to your desired consistency.
    • Chopped parsley: This is optional, but it does add a nice flavor in addition to color.
    The ingredients needed to make homemade tahini sauce.

    Variations

    The recipe, as written here, is a classic one. An interesting variation is adding different spices to the basic sauce.

    Additions that I tried and liked include adding just a pinch of smoked paprika, ground cumin, or oregano. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you'd like the sauce to be spicy.

    Tahini Sauce Instructions

    It's incredibly easy to this sauce from scratch! Basically, you mix the ingredients in a bowl, by hand, then refrigerate. Please scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here's an overview of the steps:

    • Gather your ingredients. Start by placing all the ingredients in a medium bowl.
    • Whisk until smooth. Use a hand whisk to mix them all together until very smooth. Then mix in the parsley.
    • Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
    A six-photo collage showing the steps for making homemade tahini sauce.

    Expert Tip

    You can make the sauce as thin or as thick as you like, depending on how much water you add. A thick sauce is perfect as a dip for vegetables or crackers. A thin one can serve as a wonderful salad dressing.

    Recipe FAQs

    What's the difference between tahini sauce and hummus?

    Both are middle eastern sauces or spreads used to flavor meats, bread, and vegetables. And both are often served at the beginning of a meal as part of a meze platter - a collection of small plates containing various spreads, sauces, and salads.

    The main difference is the main ingredient - chickpeas in hummus and sesame seeds in tahini.

    How many calories are in this sauce?

    That would depend on how much water you add to the sesame butter. The way I make it, a serving of 2 tablespoons has about 106 calories.

    What does tahini sauce taste like?

    It tastes nutty and pleasantly salty, with a bit of tang from the lemon juice and a hint of sharpness from the garlic. Its mouthfeel is wonderful - it's very creamy, as you would expect from any nut butter.

    Serving Suggestions

    Traditionally, in the Middle East, this sauce is served as a flavorful topping for meat, falafel, or cooked vegetables.

    I often serve it as a topping for beef kabobs or lamb burgers. And I also like to serve it with raw, freshly cut vegetables or with these almond flour crackers.

    If you add some extra water, you can turn it into a tasty salad dressing. It's much better than any commercial salad dressing!

    Storing Leftovers

    You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for about 5 days.

    Make sure to stir the sauce again before serving it. And if it has thickened too much while being refrigerated, simply stir in a bit of water.

    Tahini sauce served with cucumber slices and tomatoes.

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    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want the new recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    Tahini sauce with fresh-cut veggies.
    4.96 from 41 votes
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    Tahini Sauce Recipe

    You will love this easy recipe for homemade tahini sauce, a flavorful Middle Eastern sauce made from sesame butter, garlic, and lemon juice. 
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time10 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 106kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
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    Ingredients

    • ½ cup tahini (sesame butter)
    • 1 teaspoon fresh garlic minced
    • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
    • 6 tablespoons water or more if needed
    • 2 tablespoons parsley finely chopped (optional)

    Instructions

    • Place the tahini, garlic, salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and water in a medium bowl. Whisk with a hand whisk until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add 1-2 more tablespoons of water. It should be smooth and creamy.
    • If using, use a rubber spatula to mix in the parsley.
    • Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir again before serving, and add more water if the sauce has thickened in the fridge, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
    • Keep the sauce in the fridge, covered, for up to 5 days. Mix it again before serving and add a little extra water if needed.

    Video

    Notes

    You can make the sauce as thin or as thick as you like, depending on how much water you add. A thick sauce is perfect as a dip for vegetables or crackers. A thin one can serve as a wonderful salad dressing.
    You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for about 5 days. Make sure to stir the sauce again before serving. And if it has thickened too much while being refrigerated, simply stir in a bit of water.

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    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 87mg | Fiber: 1g
    SubscribeI typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want the new recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.
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    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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