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Get It NowIf 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!
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).
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.
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.
- Blend the ingredients. Combine the tahini, garlic, olive oil, water, lemon juice, and spices in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth.
- Thin out as needed. Add more water, a tablespoon at a time, until the tahini sauce reaches your desired consistency.
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!
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 shishito 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).
Recommended Tools
- Blender – I use this blender daily and it makes this tahini dressing recipe so easy.
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!
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Combine all ingredients for the tahini sauce in a blender. Puree until smooth.
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Check the consistency and add more water, a tablespoon at a time, if needed to thin out to a dressing consistency.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers, or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 2 tablespoons
Makes 3/4 cup.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
© 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. 🙂
20 Comments
Jeannette
0This was great with some air fried chicken breast with teriyaki spices.
jess
0This sauce is amazing and I cannot wait to have this with literally everything and anything that I want.
Sharina
0This is so easy and satisfying! I enjoyed my zucchini noodles with this tangy and flavorful tahini sauce. And I am glad it is nut-free! Saving this recipe!
Toni
0I love how quick and easy it is to make! Thanks for the recipe!
Bilal
0The sauce tastes great! Hands down one of the best dressings I’ve had. However after my third attempt the dressing had risen and overflowed the container it was in. What could have caused the rise? It was out on a very warm day, and was never refrigerated, if that helps.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Bilal, Without being there is the kitchen with you it’s hard to say what went wrong, I suggest storing the tahini sauce in glass jars in the refrigerator.
Catherine
0How long will this keep in the fridge?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Catherine, It will last 5-6 days in the refrigerator.
Susan
0Just a comment for those who are unfamiliar with tahini. It is very difficult to work with when it’s cold (the brand I use requires refrigeration after opening), so I’ve learned to bring it to room temperature before trying to use it. Also, roasted tahini is way more flavorful than raw.
Shanna
0This was the first time I have ever tried tahini sauce and I am glad I did. I tried it with the cucumber noodles and it was so good that I started dipping other vegetables in it and even put a little on the pork roast I made. Super good, and really easy to make!
Sonali
0Absolutely delicious. The only change I made was using garlic infused olive oil rather than fresh cloves. That way I can take it to work without bothering my colleagues 😉 you’ve officially convinced me to start making my own dressings!
Joanne Madigan
0Can you leave out the lemon juice? What would you recommend in its place?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Joanne, You can use any citrus you like. The acid will help to brighten the sauce.
Michelle
0OMG Delicious! Adjusted the seasoning to my taste and I want to tell everyone about using Tahini as a base for dips dressings and marinades! So glad I stumbled across your recipe! Bravo! Where has this been all my life?
Teresa Lincoln
0I loved this so much I made a jar of it. I love to have cucumber noodles with tomato everyday. Great for breadless sandwich. Delicious!!
Davina
0Can you heat up the tahini sauce?
if I want to serve it over hot zucchini noodles?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Davina, Yes, you can!
Jenna Urben
0I can’t wait to try this over a buddha bowl for lunch! I have roasted veggies and kale and think this would be the perfect addition 🙂
Rosalie Dieteman
0Although the ads didn’t appear on the print preview, a big blank box with a CLOSE BUTTON did! I just had to close the print preview and close the bottom ad and it printed perfectly.
Wholesome Yum L
0Hi Rosalie! I tested the print feature and it worked great on my end. Glad you got it to print and hope you love it.