Tahini Sauce
Tahini Sauce is an all-purpose Middle Eastern, made out of sesame seed paste. It has a mayonnaise appearance. It is used as an ingredient in a variety of Middle Eastern recipes but it also can be used a salad dressing. Another use is as a stand alone appetizer dip where it is pour into a medium sized shallow plate and then garnished sprinkle of paprika and chopped parsley with warm pita bread triangles on the side. Another use is as a topping for Falafel. Thick, as in this recipe, to be served as a dip, and thinned to be served as a dressing.
$6–$9 depending on tahini brand
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
Sauce will keep in the refrigerator for two weeks.
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.
Nutrition
Serving: 2.2ozCalories: 181kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 303mgPotassium: 160mgFiber: 2gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 167IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg
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