This Lemon Tahini Sauce is creamy, nutty, and full of bright lemon flavor. Made with just tahini, garlic, and lemon juice, it's quick to make and perfect for drizzling on vegetables, salads, or grilled meats.
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This Lemon Tahini Sauce is one of those versatile recipes you'll find yourself making again and again. Its creamy texture and bright flavor pair beautifully with both roasted and fresh vegetables.
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I have used it in the Roasted Heirloom Carrots, Roasted Cauliflower, and the Blistered Green Beans recipes, but it would also be delicious on the Brussels Sprouts and Carrots, or the Mushroom, Cauliflower, and Garlic Skillet.
What is Tahini Sauce?
Tahini is a creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds. It has a nutty flavor and is rich in healthy oils. Common in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking, tahini adds depth to sauces, dressings, and dips. You can make it at home by blending sesame seeds in a food processor, but store-bought tahini works perfectly. Good options are easy to find in most grocery stores.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to make Lemon Tahini Sauce
Step 1: In a medium bowl, place the tahini sauce.
Step 2: Zest the lemon into the bowl.
Step 3: Add the lemon juice and the minced garlic. Mix to combine.
Step 4: Add water as needed to loosen the sauce and to create a smooth paste.
Pro tip
Buy the best tahini you can find on the market. While I have used Trader Joe's Organic Tahini, my favorites are those that can be found in either Middle Eastern markets or the Middle Eastern section of your grocery store. My current favorite is Krinos. However, I just returned from a trip to Europe and found freshly ground sesame seed paste, tahini, at a flea market in Berlin. You bet I brought it home!
Variations
- Herbs - Depending on what I am creating, many times I will substitute parsley for the garlic or use other fresh herbs. If I do this, I use my blender to make sure that the herbs get incorporated easily. This turns the tahini into a green tahini sauce and is delicious on meat. I have also used dried herbs like Za'atar and it lends a delicious taste as well.
- Lime - I will sometimes use lime juice and lime zest in place of the lemon in order to create a tangy tahini.
- Spicy - If I want to spice up the sauce, I will either use some red pepper flakes, chili crunch, or a spicy sauce in the mix.
- Salad dressing - Add olive oil and some honey to the sauce which will create a salad dressing.
- Other uses - I use tahini paste in hummus and in my baba ghanoush recipes. I have seen recipes for chocolate chip tahini cookies, tahini brownies, buddha bowls, grain bowls, and so much more. It is a secret ingredient in most Middle Eastern recipes!
I love using a zester for citrus. This microplane is my favorite!
Frequently Asked Questions
Tahini is simply sesame-seed butter, made by grinding hulled sesame seeds into a paste. It is a carbohydrate, and when a small amount of juice (or any water-containing liquid) is added to tahini, a chemical reaction occurs that will thicken the paste. Simply using more water will loosen the paste to your desired consistency.
A jar of Tahini paste will last years in the refrigerator. However, if moisture seeps into the jar the paste will go bad. We recommend keeping the jar and lid clean and storing the tahini on a pantry shelf.
If you find that your tahini has lumps, adding a touch of olive oil will help to smooth out the consistency and create a creamy texture. I always give the jar a good stir prior to using the sesame paste.
Other Condiments
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Thank you!
Gwen
Lemon Tahini Sauce
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Ingredients
- ½ cup tahini paste
- 1 lemon zest the outside, and juice the interior
- 1 garlic clove minced or grated
- 6 tablespoon water or more if needed
Instructions
- Pour the tahini paste into a bowl.
- Zest the lemon into the bowl.
- Add the minced garlic to the bowl.
- Add the lemon juice and mix to combine.
- Add the water and continue mixing until it becomes a sauce like consistency. Use more water if needed.
Notes
Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor and brightness. Bottled lemon juice can make the sauce taste flat.
If your tahini thickens or seizes when mixing, add a tablespoon of warm water at a time while whisking until smooth again.
Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Stir well before serving.
Use this sauce as a dressing for salads, a drizzle for roasted vegetables like Roasted Eggplant or Roasted Green Beans or a dip for pita bread and falafel.
Anonymous says
Yum!