The best Middle Eastern tahini sauce recipe with garlic, lime juice and fresh parsley. An easy and super versatile sauce that I use daily. Bonus…it’s vegan and gluten free!
When I was writing about these tahini short bread cookies, I had a moment of panic realizing we hadn’t quite covered tahini except as a side note to these chicken kabobs.
What is tahini?
Tahini–a brownish creamy paste made of toasted sesame seeds– is a staple of Middle Eastern and Eastern Mediterranean pantries.
Perhaps the most familiar use of the earthy sesame paste here in the United States is in dips like hummus. But the classic, and purist application of tahini is in tahini sauce–a versatile condiment that makes a regular appearance on the Middle Eastern table. Think a bowl of basic tahini sauce accompanied with pita bread, for example. As a starter served with other mezze and salads; or even as a topping to jazz up sandwiches and wraps.
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Today’s tahini sauce recipe is one often served in Egypt’s local restaurants where they call it tahini baqdoonis or tahini with parsley. The garlic and the tang of the lime juice balance out the warm, mellow sesame paste. You can certainly omit the parsley for a more basic tahini sauce, but I think it adds a pop of fresh flavor, waking everything up! Also, fresh mint or dill can be used in place of the parsley.
I love to smother fish in this tangy tahini sauce. It’s also great drizzled on fried cauliflower or roasted vegetables. I’m certain we will reference more uses of this tahini sauce recipe soon!
Where to buy paste?
By the way, you can find tahini paste at local health food stores and, of course, at Middle Eastern and Mediterranean grocers’. You can also find a variety of quality, organic tahini paste options here on Amazon.com.
PrintTahini Sauce Recipe (How to Make Tahini)
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 4-6 (yields 1 cup tahini sauce)
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup tahini paste
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup cold water, more if needed
- 1 cup freshly chopped parsley leaves, stems removed first (optional)
Instructions
- Using a mortar and pastel, crush the garlic cloves with the salt into a paste.
- Add the crushed garlic, tahini paste and lime juice to the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. It will be thick as it emulsifies. Add a little bit of water and blend again. Continue to add water until you reach the desired consistency. It should have a runny, salad dressing-like consistency. But if you prefer tahini more as a dip, simply use less water.
- Transfer the tahini to a serving bowl, and if you like stir in fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
The tahini sauce can be made ahead. Refrigerates well in a tight-lid container for two to three days.
More recipes using tahini paste:
Spicy Roasted Cauliflower and Tahini Dip
Tahini Short Bread Cookie Recipe
This was so good on the falafel I made!
★★★★★
Yes, tahini and falafel are a match made in heaven! Thanks much, Amber!
i love a lemony tahini sauce!
Ain’t it awesome! Thanks for stopping in, babe!
this sauce has me craving pita now! sounds delicious
It really is! Thanks, Heather.
I am so excited to try this homemade version of Tahini. I do not like to purchase a product premade if I can make this at home.
I have to admit something that I am kind of embarrassed to say…. I’ve never had tahini sauce. Shame on me! This post makes me want to turn my kitchen lights back on and whip some up instead of going to bed. I am definitely making this ASAP!
★★★★★
haha…no worries, hon. You may be new to tahini, but I’m sure once you try making it, you’ll be a pro! Thanks for stopping in, love! XOXO
I never thought to make my own tahini. I always just buy it at the Middle Eastern store that I shop at whenever I’m in that area! Now I have to try this!
Awesome, Michelle! Hope you enjoy this recipe! XOXO