Welcome to Chef B’s kitchen! Today we are diving into one of the most essential and versatile condiments in Middle Eastern cuisine: Tahini Sauce. This rich, creamy masterpiece starts with tahini, a smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds. Think of it as the mayonnaise of the Mediterranean world, but with a wonderfully nutty, earthy depth.
Originating in the heart of the Middle East, Tahini Sauce is celebrated for its ability to transform simple dishes. It works beautifully as a luscious dip for warm pita bread, a bright, tangy Homemade Dressing for fresh salads, or the perfect savory complement to your favorite Falafel Topping and shawarma.
Chef B’s version perfectly balances the richness of the sesame with the bright acidity of fresh lemon and a gentle kick of garlic and spices. The result is a velvety smooth, balanced, and authentic Sesame Sauce that you will want to drizzle on everything. Get ready to master this simple yet impactful recipe!
Quick Glance
| Metric | Detail |
| Servings | 12 |
| Estimated Cost | 6 dollars to 9 dollars (depending on tahini brand) |
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 10 minutes |
| Course | Condiment, Dip, Sauce |
| Cuisine | Mediterranean, Middle Eastern |
Equipment
To make this creamy Middle Eastern Dip, you will need a few simple tools:
- Food Processor or Blender To blend ingredients until smooth.
- Measuring Cups & Spoons For accuracy.
- Spatula To scrape down sides.
- Serving Plate or Bowl For dipping or plating.
Ingredients
These are the simple ingredients you need for a truly delicious Tahini Sauce Recipe:
- 1 and one half cups tahini (stir well if separated)
- 1 cup water
- One half cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 and one half tsp salt
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- One half tsp paprika
- One quarter tsp black pepper
- One quarter cup parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
Follow these clear, numbered steps to create the best Homemade Dressing you have ever tasted:
- If your tahini paste has separated, stir it well in its container until it is completely smooth and uniform before measuring.
- Put the smooth tahini paste into the bowl of your food processor or blender.
- Add the minced garlic cloves to the food processor bowl.
- Turn the processor on and begin to add the water in a slow, steady stream. The tahini mixture will initially become very thick and seize up. Keep adding water slowly; it will start to thin out again and lighten in color.
- Pour in the freshly squeezed lemon juice. The sauce will rapidly begin to lighten into a creamy, near white color and achieve its thick dip consistency.
- Add the salt, paprika, and black pepper. Process until all the spices are fully incorporated and the sauce is perfectly smooth.
- Pour the finished Tahini Sauce into shallow serving plates or a bowl. Garnish with the chopped parsley and a final sprinkle of paprika for color.
- Keep any leftover sauce in the refrigerator.
- Chef’s Note: If you want to use this as a thin dressing or sauce, thin the finished tahini with a bit more cold water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Tahini Sauce Recipe Notes
Customizations
- Thinner Dressing Add a tablespoon of extra water at a time until the sauce is pourable. You can also swap out some water for a little olive oil for extra richness.
- Garlicky Kick If you love garlic, increase the amount to 3 cloves for a more pungent flavor.
- Smoky Twist For an earthy, smoky flavor profile, mix in one half tsp of smoked paprika or one half tsp of ground cumin.
Storage Tips
- Keep this Middle Eastern Dip refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- Natural separation may occur during storage. Simply stir it well before serving again.
Serving Tips
- The thick, undiluted sauce is wonderful when served as a dip with warm pita bread triangles.
- It makes the perfect Falafel Topping when drizzled liberally over hot falafel, shawarma, or grilled meats.
- Thin it out to use as a fantastic Homemade Dressing for grain bowls or fresh Mediterranean salads.
- Use it as a flavorful substitute for mayonnaise in all your sandwiches and wraps.
Cooking Tips
- Always add the water slowly to the tahini. It is natural for the tahini to thicken or seize up first; this is just the sesame paste emulsifying. It will loosen as you continue adding the liquid.
- Fresh lemon juice is key. It provides a much brighter, more vibrant flavor than bottled juice and significantly improves the taste of this Sesame Sauce.
Tahini Sauce Recipe FAQs
Tahini Sauce is primarily made of tahini, which is a paste of ground sesame seeds. It is then mixed with water, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and seasoning like salt and paprika to create a creamy, tangy condiment.
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Tahini Sauce will last for up to two weeks. Always stir it before serving to reincorporate any separation.
While you technically can, using freshly squeezed lemon juice is highly recommended. Fresh juice provides a much brighter, more authentic, and superior flavor.
To make your Tahini Sauce thinner for use as a Homemade Dressing, simply whisk in cold water one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired pourable consistency.
Absolutely! This sauce is incredibly versatile. For salads, thin it out with a little extra water to make a pourable dressing. Use the thicker version as a spread in wraps and sandwiches for an extra flavor boost.
Tahini, the main ingredient, is a good source of healthy fats, protein, and minerals like calcium and iron, making Tahini Sauce a nutritious condiment in moderation.
Tahini Sauce
Equipment
- Food Processor or Blender: – To blend ingredients until smooth.
- Measuring Cups & Spoons – For accuracy.
- spatula – To scrape down sides.
- Serving Plate or Bowl – For dipping or plating.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups tahini
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1½ tsp salt
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup parsley chopped
Instructions
- If the tahini paste has separated, stir well to smooth it out.
- Put the paste in the bowl of a food processor.
- Add the garlic.
- Turn the processor on and add the water in a slow stream. The paste will initially become very thick but as more water is added it will begin to thin out.
- Add lemon juice. The sauce will begin to take on a white color.
- Add the salt, paprika and pepper.
- Pour the sauce into shallow plates and garnish with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of paprika for color.
- Keep sauce in the refrigerator.
- If used as a dressing or sauce, thin with a bit of water until Tahini reaches the consistency of a dressing.
Notes
Customizations:
- Thinner Dressing: Add extra water or olive oil for a pourable consistency.
- Garlicky Kick: Increase garlic to 3 cloves.
- Smoky Version: Mix in ½ tsp smoked paprika or ground cumin.
Storage Tips:
- Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- Stir before serving, as natural separation may occur.
Serving Tips:
- Drizzle over falafel, shawarma, or grain bowls.
- Serve thick with pita bread as a dip.
- Use as a substitute for mayonnaise in wraps and sandwiches.
Cooking Tips:
- Add water slowly—tahini thickens before loosening.
- Fresh lemon juice gives a brighter flavor than bottled.
