This creamy lemon tahini sauce is a Mediterranean staple that is made with tahini, fresh lemon juice, garlic and a touch of cumin. It's quick to make and perfect for drizzling over grilled meats, roasted vegetables or serving as a simple dip.
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About This Recipe
A creamy tahini sauce is one of those Mediterranean staples you'll make on repeat! It's made with just a few ingredients, including tahini (sesame seed paste), fresh lemon juice, garlic and a pinch of cumin for subtle warmth.
Once the savory sauce comes together, it becomes perfectly creamy, savory and nutty and is a fabulous addition to so many dishes! Drizzle it over a falafel bowl or onto roasted eggplant or serve as a dip with pita bread and fresh vegetables.
Tahini is a key ingredient in Mediterranean cooking, so be sure to add it to your Mediterranean diet shopping list. You can usually find tahini in the nut butter section of most grocery stores.
📋 Ingredients
- Tahini Paste: 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.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor. A microplane helps ensure there are no large garlic pieces.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice is key for the best and freshest flavor.
- Cumin: Optional, but a touch of cumin adds a lovely warm layer of flavor.
- Garnishes: Olive oil, smoked paprika, chopped parsley or cilantro.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🍋 Tahini Sauce Variations
There are so many ways to customize tahini sauce once you have the base recipe down. Have fun experimenting with different flavors and textures.
- Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce: Fresh herbs take this sauce to the next level! It's fantastic with Lebanese hushwee or drizzled on top of roasted vegetables with pomegranate.
- Tahini Yogurt Sauce: Mixing in a bit of yogurt gives the tahini sauce a delicious tang and creamier texture. I love serving this with homemade falafel.
- Avocado Tahini Dressing: Thicker and richer, this variation is great for spreading on toasted bread and topping with fresh tomatoes.
- Green Tahini Sauce: One of my most popular recipes from my first cookbook, this herby version is packed with fresh mint, cilantro and parsley.
- Honey Tahini Sauce: A sweet version that's perfect for desserts. I love using this on blueberry borekas or drizzling it over anything that needs a little sweetness.
How to Make Tahini Sauce
You can make tahini sauce either in a food processor or by hand. Both methods work great.
Food Processor Method
- Add tahini, garlic, lemon juice, water, salt and cumin to a food processor.
- Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. The sauce will thicken at first, then loosen as it blends.
- Add more water a little at a time until the sauce reaches a thick, honey-like consistency.
Whisked by Hand Method
- Use a microplane to finely grate the fresh garlic or make sure to finely chop it so there are no large garlic pieces.
- Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and whisk vigorously. The tahini will seize and thicken at first, but keep whisking and it will smooth out and become creamy.
📍 Recipe Tips
- Sauce Thickening: Tahini sauce will thicken as it sits, especially in the fridge. Let it come to room temperature, then whisk in a little water to loosen it.
- Add Water Gradually: Start with less water at first and add more as needed.
- Consistency: The sauce should be thick like honey and be easy to drizzle.
- Make Ahead and Storage: Tahini sauce can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Serving Suggestions
I truly put this creamy lemon tahini sauce on everything! It adds richness, creaminess and instantly makes dishes feel complete. Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy tahini sauce.
- Drizzle over Beef Arayes (Lebanese meat-stuffed pitas).
- Spoon on top of Mediterranean crispy rice salad.
- Add it to a falafel platter alongside fresh vegetables.
- Fantastic drizzled over Greek nachos.
More Mediterranean dips to Try
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
LittleFerraroKitchen.com
Ingredients
- 1 cup tahini paste
- 2 garlic cloves finely grated or minced
- 1 lemon juiced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cumin optional
- ¼ –½ cup water plus more as needed
- Garnishes
- Olive oil
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne for heat
- Chopped parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Add tahini paste, garlic, lemon juice, salt, cumin (if using), and water to a food processor. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- If the sauce is too thick, add more water a little at a time and continue blending until the sauce reaches a thick, honey-like consistency.
Notes
- If the sauce thickens in the fridge, whisk in a little water to loosen it.
- If making by hand, be sure the garlic is very finely chopped or grated.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
DJ says
How long does it keep in the fridge?
Geni says
I need to get back on track myself! Like, now! And this homemade Tahini seems like the perfect way to start. I have never made it myself either but it does look so easy and delicious!
Kim Bee says
Yummy Sam. I made roasted cauliflower today. There is just something so tasty about roasting veggies. Love that you did tahini with it.