The best homemade tahini sauce recipe with garlic, lime juice and fresh parsley. A rich and flavor-packed sauce that can transform any sandwich or elevate your dinner.
When I was writing about these tahini short bread cookies, I had a moment of panic. I realized we hadn’t really 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 your grilled shawarma or to jazz up sandwiches!
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 cauliflower or roasted vegetables. I’m certain we will reference more uses of this tahini sauce recipe soon!
Where to buy tahini 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.
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Tahini Sauce Recipe (How to Make Tahini)
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 10-12 tablespoons 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Tahini, a rich paste from roasted sesame seeds, makes the perfect sauce with a little lemon juice and lots of parsley. Tahini sauce can transform the most humble of sandwiches or meals, and is regularly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking.
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
- Make ahead instructions: sauce can be made ahead. Refrigerates well in a tight-lid container for two to three days.
- Category: Dips and Appetizers
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern/Mediterranean
Keywords: Tahini, Tahini Sauce, How to Make Tahini Sauce, Tahini Sauce Recipe
More recipes using tahini paste:
Spicy Roasted Cauliflower and Tahini Dip
Tahini Short Bread Cookie Recipe
Bill says
January 5, 2019 at 9:17 pmSo, my wife made this and it was absolutely vile … trying to figure out what went wrong. The acid overpowered every other flavor in the sauce. We all ended up scraping it off our food and tossing it. Any ideas? It sounded so good 🙁
Suzy Karadsheh says
January 6, 2019 at 12:58 pmBill, this is the first time I hear this. I am not sure what might have been wrong with your tahini. But a couple thoughts, are you using quality tahini that is not old or sticky? And you can also start with less acid if you’re not sure and add as needed. But this tahini recipe has been a winner for us and everyone I’ve heard from so far.
Mushell says
October 6, 2018 at 8:00 pmThe Tahini sauce turned out perfect. Thanks!
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
October 20, 2018 at 4:14 pmAwesome, Mushell!
Claro Mendoza says
August 14, 2018 at 6:11 amAwesome!! Filipinos like me will not forget the taste of táhini specially with lamb shawarma.
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
August 26, 2018 at 5:40 pmAwesome, Claro! Thanks for sharing!
Jaki says
June 26, 2018 at 12:54 pmHi
Great recipe!!
I love to add a bit of turmeric as well 🙂
★★★★★
Colleen Scott says
June 13, 2018 at 7:29 pmI made my own tahini paste, because they didn’t have any at my market. Very easy to make, the tahini sauce is very good. I love the taste of sesame seeds so this is a winner in my kitchen.
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
June 14, 2018 at 9:51 amAwesome, Colleen! Thank you!
Amber says
March 14, 2017 at 3:35 pmThis was so good on the falafel I made!
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
March 15, 2017 at 1:53 pmYes, tahini and falafel are a match made in heaven! Thanks much, Amber!
Nicole Taggart says
September 14, 2016 at 8:35 pmi love a lemony tahini sauce!
Suzy Karadsheh says
September 16, 2016 at 9:35 amAin’t it awesome! Thanks for stopping in, babe!
Heather Kinnaird says
September 14, 2016 at 10:57 amthis sauce has me craving pita now! sounds delicious
Suzy Karadsheh says
September 14, 2016 at 11:50 amIt really is! Thanks, Heather.
Kristen Chidsey says
September 14, 2016 at 8:27 amI 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.
J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all says
September 11, 2016 at 8:41 pmI 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!
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
September 11, 2016 at 8:46 pmhaha…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
Michelle says
September 6, 2016 at 1:20 pmI 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!
Suzy Karadsheh says
September 11, 2016 at 8:50 pmAwesome, Michelle! Hope you enjoy this recipe! XOXO