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Home » Recipes » Dips + Spreads

Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce

Published: Mar 7, 2024 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce is a creamy and flavorful dressing made in just a few minutes with simple ingredients like tahini, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic herbs. It's a versatile sauce that can adds a delicious and citrusy touch to chicken, salads, or any of your favorite Mediterranean recipes.

Creamy lemon tahini sauce is drizzled with olive oil.
Jump to:
  • About This Recipe
  • 📋 Ingredients
  • 🍋 Substitutions and Variations
  • ⏲️ Instructions
  • 📍 Recipe Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • More Mediterranean Dips to Try
  • Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce

About This Recipe

Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce is a vibrant Mediterranean sauce with citrusy lemon, earthy tahini, and a medley of fresh herbs. The base of this green tahini sauce is tahini, a paste made from sesame seeds, which provides a rich, nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. When combined with the bright acidity of fresh lemon juice, the sauce gets a refreshing flavor that brightens up any dish. The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Shopping List.

The addition of fresh herbs, such as parsley, mint and chives, adds a burst of freshness, flavor, and stunning green color. Drizzle the lemon herb tahini sauce on top of chicken shawarma skewers, Israeli couscous with chicken, baked Za'atar fries, Lebanese Tabbouleh salad, or serve it with this falafel platter.

📋 Ingredients

Ingredients for lemon tahini sauce, including olive oil, garlic, cumin and fresh mint, parsley and chives.
  • Tahini: Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It's commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. You can find tahini in the international aisle of most grocery stores, in health food stores, or online.
  • Lemon: Use both the lemon zest and juice to brighten up the flavor of the tahini sauce.
  • Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley, chives, and mint are minced into the sauce to give it an incredible flavor and Mediterranean aroma.
  • Garlic: Use fresh garlic for a sharp garlicky flavor. You can also reduce the garlic quantity or increase it, according to your preferences.
  • Cumin: Cumin is used in many Mediterranean recipes, with its earthy aroma. It gives the tahini sauce an additional earthy layer of flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Good quality extra virgin olive oil is a must for all Mediterranean recipes. Also add a drizzle on top of the sauce to finish.

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

🍋 Substitutions and Variations

  • Substitute or add different fresh herbs to the sauce, such as dill, basil, or cilantro.
  • You can skip the garlic or use garlic powder for a milder garlicky flavor. Or you can use roasted garlic for a sweeter flavor.
  • Add some chili pepper flakes, ground cayenne pepper, or some harissa paste to make the lemon herb tahini sauce hot and spicy.
  • You can substitute the lemon with lime for a variation of citrus flavor.

⏲️ Instructions

Add all of the lemon herb tahini ingredients to a small food processor or blender.

Step 1. Add the tahini, spices, fresh herbs, lemon zest and juice and water to a food processor.

Blend the herb tahini sauce until smooth and pourable.

Step 2. Blend until you get a smooth sauce with a similar consistency to honey. Add more water, if needed for desired consistency.

📍 Recipe Tips

  • Use a fresh lemon and fresh herbs for a more vibrant and flavorful sauce.
  • Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the tahini sauce as you blend, so everything mixes evenly.
  • If the tahini sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of water at a time, then blend again. Do this until you have your desired consistency.
  • Store the Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can make it ahead and have it ready in the fridge.
Lemon herb tahini sauce in a bowl with fresh herbs scattered around.

Recipe FAQs

Is this sauce vegan and gluten-free?

Yes, lemon herb tahini sauce is naturally vegan and gluten-free, making it a great choice for those on plant-based or gluten-sensitive diets. Just be sure to check the labels of all your ingredients to ensure they meet your dietary needs.

How can I adjust the thickness of the sauce?

The thickness of the sauce can easily be adjusted by adding more or less water. Start with a small amount and gradually add until you reach your desired consistency. This allows you to use it as either a dip or a dressing.

My tahini is very thick and hard to stir. What can I do?

Tahini can sometimes separate in the jar, with the oil rising to the top. Before using it, give your tahini a good stir to reincorporate the oil. If it's still too thick, gently warming it in a microwave for a few seconds can make it easier to mix with other ingredients.

Serving Suggestions

This lemon herb tahini sauce is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of Mediterranean dishes. It's great as a dressing for salads or grain bowls, such as this Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad or Israeli Couscous Salad with Roasted Vegetables. Serve the herb tahini sauce as a condiment for grilled meats such as Grilled Chicken Skewers, served with falafel, or as a dip for bread or raw veggies.

More Mediterranean Dips to Try

  • Muhammara dip topped with pomegranate seeds and lemon zest.
    Muhammara(Turkish Red Pepper and Walnut Dip)
  • Authentic baba ganoush recipe drizzled with olive oil and paprika.
    Lebanese Baba Ganoush
  • Homemade tzatziki sauce with homemade pita chips.
    Homemade Tzatziki Sauce (with Pita Chips)
  • Loaded Hummus

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

Creamy lemon tahini sauce with fresh mint and parsley.

Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce

Samantha Ferraro

LittleFerraroKitchen.com

Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce is a creamy blend of tahini, fresh lemon and herbs that is quick to make and the perfect addition to your favorite Mediterranean recipes.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6 servings
Calories 151 kcal

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • Microplane

Ingredients
 
 

  • ½ cup tahini
  • ½ cup fresh parsley leaves hard stems removed
  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves
  • ¼ cup fresh chives roughly chopped
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
  • ¼ tsp. cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until well incorporated. Use a small spatula to scrape down the sides, periodically and taste for seasoning.
  • You’re looking for a pourable consistency similar to honey. Add more water if needed for desired texture.

Notes

    • Yields 1 cup of tahini sauce. 
    • Use a fresh lemon and fresh herbs for a more vibrant and flavorful sauce.
    • Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the tahini sauce as you blend, so everything mixes evenly.
    • If the tahini sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of water at a time, then blend again. Do this until you have your desired consistency.
    • Store the Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can make it ahead and have it ready in the fridge.
    • A list of Mediterranean Spices for your Pantry.

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 4gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 110mgPotassium: 178mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 673IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!

More Easy Dips & Spreads

  • Homemade caramelized onion dip recipe.
    Caramelized Onion Dip
  • Bread dipping oil with sundried tomatoes, fresh herbs and parmesan cheese.
    Bread Dipping Oil with Fresh Herbs
  • Baba ganoush without tahini and served with pita bread for dipping.
    Baba Ganoush without Tahini
  • Grilled pineapple pico de gallo with tortilla chips.
    Grilled Pineapple Pico de Gallo

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Comments

  1. Tom says

    March 07, 2024 at 2:01 pm

    5 stars
    Love it, We tried the Hummus, Zhoug, Tzatziki, on Samantha's site and love than all. This one is especially easy. It is Bright and super flavorful. Tahini is our new Favorite ingredient, it is the base of so many great recipes.

    Reply
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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