• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Not Enough Cinnamon
  • HOME
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • ABOUT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • HOME
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • ABOUT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    You are here: Home / Recipes / Easy Tahini Sauce & Dressing

    Easy Tahini Sauce & Dressing

    Published on Jan 17, 2020 · Last updated on Aug 24, 2021 ·

    275 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    How to make Tahini Sauce | This easy recipe for creamy tahini sauce uses only a handful of healthy ingredients and takes a minute to make. So versatile, it has so many uses. Ideal for a buddha bowl or falafel, with salads, roasted vegetables, as a dip, drizzled on noodle salads or in a lunch sandwich.  #vegan #dairyfree #healthy #easy #sauce

    This easy recipe for creamy tahini sauce uses only a handful of healthy ingredients and takes a minute to make. So versatile, it goes with everything. Try it with salads, as a dip or in a lunch sandwich. 

    side view of a jar of homemade Tahini sauce with a spoon

    Say hello to your next secret sauce for EVERYTHING! Creamy, tangy, garlicky, nutty from-jar-to-mouth-kinda-delicious Tahini Sauce. 

    Elevate your favorite bowls and salads with this easy Tahini Sauce!

    Can I tell you a secret? The key to weeknight dinner success lies in learning to pair simple foods with a simple sauce for a delicious dinner. This tahini sauce has become my go-to sauce for a lot of my meals. It's THAT good. Plus you make it once and you will probably never have to look at the recipe again.

    My recipe for tahini sauce is ridiculously quick and easy to make.  This silky smooth sesame sauce has become a permanent resident in my fridge, as it is very adaptable and shines on salads, sandwiches, falafel, buddha bowls, and all my other favorite meals!! It will rapidly become a must-have in your pantry, too.

    Serve it thick or thin, and jazz it up any way you like! Drink it with a straw. Trust me, you just don't want to look back and think you could have made that.

    overhead shot of two jars of homemade creamy tahini sauce

    On buying tahini paste:

    Tahini is like peanut butter but made from sesame seeds. Just sesame seeds that have been lightly toasted, stone-ground, blended and bottled. Just like with any nut or seed butter, make sure that there are no other ingredients listed on your jar. You want to watch out for added oils, sugars or fats.

    Hulled vs unhulled:

    Tahini made from unhulled sesame seeds is more nutrient-rich than tahini made from hulled seeds, but it is also a tad more bitter, which is why I like to buy hulled. Both versions work for this tahini sauce recipe so you can let your taste buds de decide.

    Raw vs roasted:

    Another distinction is drawn between roasted versus raw tahini. Roasted tahini has a more intensive flavor but some nutrients get lost in the toasting process. Raw, so non-roasted tahini is higher in nutrients and would be the better choice from a nutrition point of view. However, it does go rancid quicker than toasted.

    It's really down to your personal preference. If you are not a fan of strong sesame flavor, go for raw, if you are all about the deep nutty taste, opt for roasted.

    tahini sauce being stirred together in a white bowl

    Obviously, if you come across certified organic tahini, that would be the best option. You can easily find tahini in either natural food stores or food stores that sell Middle Eastern foods.

    Now, unfortunately, they don't let you open that jar and try your tahini before you buy it. I really wish they would because Tahini brands really DO vary in flavor and texture. But even if you are not 100% happy with your purchase there is no need to toss it. If you find your sesame paste too bitter, you can "fix it" by adding some maple syrup or honey. If it's too sharp, add some olive oil.

    overhead shot of ingredients needed for making vegan tahini sauce for buddha bowls

    How to make Tahini Sauce:

    Place tahini paste, garlic and lemon in a bowl. Tip:  Use freshly squeezed lemons - no bottled lemon juice!

    picture collage showing how to stir lemon juice and water into tahini paste to make tahini sauce

    Gradually stir in ice water, starting with ¼ cup, until you reach a smooth sauce consistency that you can drizzle. I used about ½ cup but the exact quantity will depend on the brand and texture of the tahini paste.

    picture collage showing how to make creamy vegan tahini sauce recipe

    The tahini paste will harden in contact with water - it’s normal. Keep stirring and adding water as needed and it’ll be perfectly smooth.

    Taste it and make any variations (see below) based on your taste. Want it tangier? Add more lemon juice. Want the turn up the heat? Add some cayenne powder. Herbs? Always?

    How to store homemade Tahini Sauce?

    Store your homemade tahini sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    overhead shot of a bowl of homemade tahini sauce with ingredients surrounding the bowl

    To make a large batch or for extra smooth tahini sauce, use a blender instead of mixing by hand!

    Delicious ways to use homemade tahini sauce:

    Tahini sauce is such a versatile condiment and can be used in everything from savory dishes to sweet baked goods.

    • Add it to homemade hummus or baba ganoush
    • Drizzle on fresh or oven-roasted vegetables
    • Serve with flatbread or homemade baked pita chips
    • Use it as a salad dressing
    • Drizzle it on top of this Easy Shawarma Bowl (coming next week) or this Detox Bowl
    • Add it to my favorite falafel sandwich or grilled chicken wrap

     

    Variations for this Tahini Sauce recipe:

    I'm somewhat of a purist when it comes to tahini sauce and love it as is. However, if you want to change up the traditional flavor profile of this tahini sauce, just add some freshly chopped herbs! Simply whisk in any chopped herbs, such as fresh parsley, cilantro, dill, or basil.

    If you want a smooth and pretty sauce, blend the herbs with the tahini sauce in a food processor or blender. Want to make things even easier? Stir in some pesto!

    For a sweet tahini sauce, skip the garlic and cumin an add some maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. This dessert version is SUBLIME on oatmeal or quinoa breakfast bowls.

    side view of a jar of homemade tahini sauce
    5 from 5 votes
    Print

    Easy Tahini Sauce

    This easy recipe for creamy tahini sauce uses only a handful of healthy ingredients and takes a minute to make. So versatile, it goes with everything. Try it with salads, as a dip or in a lunch sandwich. 

    Course side, Snack
    Cuisine Middle Eastern
    Keyword easy tahini sauce, recipe for tahini sauce, vegan tahini sauce
    Prep Time 1 minute
    Total Time 1 minute
    Servings 8
    Calories 91 kcal
    Author Marie

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup tahini paste
    • 1 small garlic pressed or minced very thinly
    • ¼ cup lemon juice
    • ¼ cup ice water + more as needed
    • ¼ tsp sea salt
    • pinch of cumin

    Instructions

    1. Place tahini paste, garlic, and lemon juice in a bowl.

    2. Gradually stir in ice water, starting with ¼ cup, until you reach a smooth sauce consistency that you can drizzle (I used about ½ cup but exact quantity will depend on the brand and texture of the tahini paste).
    3. The tahini paste will harden in contact with water - it’s normal. Keep stirring and adding water as needed and it’ll be perfectly smooth (see step by step pictures in the post).
    4. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Recipe Notes

    • To make a large batch or for extra smooth tahini sauce, use a blender instead of mixing by hand!
    •  If you find your sesame paste too bitter, you can "fix it" by adding some maple syrup or honey. If it's too sharp, add some olive oil.
    • To make variations of this sauce, whisk in any chopped herbs, such as fresh parsley, cilantro, dill, or basil, or stir in some pesto.
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Tahini Sauce
    Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)
    Calories 91 Calories from Fat 63
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 7g11%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Sodium 78mg3%
    Potassium 76mg2%
    Carbohydrates 3g1%
    Protein 2g4%
    Vitamin A 10IU0%
    Vitamin C 3.7mg4%
    Calcium 21mg2%
    Iron 0.7mg4%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    f you tried this recipe for tahini sauce, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!

    More delicious recipes with tahini sauce you will love:

    • Sheet Pan Za'atar Chicken Dinner 
    • Cauliflower Detox Bowl
    • Quinoa Chicken Salad with Tahini Dressing
    • Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Tahini Dressing
    « Homemade Baked Pita Chips - 4 ways
    Easy Chicken Shawarma Bowl (Gluten-free, Whole30 & Paleo Option) »
    275 shares
     

    Don't miss out on the good stuff!

    Sign up below to receive our weekly recipe digest. No spam, only the good stuff!

    Thank you for subscribing!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heidy L. McCallum

      January 17, 2020 at 3:37 pm

      I loved this easy to make recipe for Tahini sauce. You just made life a lot easier and my family loved it. I will be saving this recipe for a LOT of future use.

    2. Ashley

      January 17, 2020 at 4:48 pm

      This made me do the 'happy food dance!' SO delicious!!!

    3. Nava

      January 17, 2020 at 4:59 pm

      I LOVE this recipe. I recently started putting tahini on my salads, rice noodles and basically everything, it's so good. Can't wait to try it on the Schwarma bowl when it's done!

    4. Michelle

      January 17, 2020 at 5:05 pm

      Wow! I had no idea making tahini would be this simple! I'll never have to buy it again!

    5. Jen

      January 17, 2020 at 7:08 pm

      I've never tried to make my own at home before. Thanks for the tips about fixing the store brand paste to better suite our preference. Very helpful.

    Primary Sidebar

    Footer

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Work with me
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy

    Recipes

    • Main Dishes
    • Breakfast / Brunch
    • Salads
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Healthy Desserts
    • View All Recipes

    ↑ back to top

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2012-2020 Not Enough Cinnamon. All rights reserved.