Whether you’re looking for a way to add flavor to a main course, dress up a salad, or take a snack spread to the next level, this homemade tahini sauce is sure to do the trick! And since it’s gluten-free, nut-free, vegan, and dairy-free, it fits into nearly anyone’s diet, making it the perfect condiment to keep on hand.
What is Tahini Sauce?
This nutty, and sometimes tangy, sauce is a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Made by combining toasted sesame seeds with oil, it’s an easy condiment to make that you can keep on hand in the fridge or freezer.
In our house, we often use this as a sandwich spread but it’s also a great dip for veggies or pita bread and it can jazz up nearly any main course or even stir into a soup like Orange and Carrot Soup. It can even add a creamy, nutty twist to your morning — just drizzle it over eggs or other savory breakfast dishes!
Ingredients
All you need are three simple ingredients to whip up this easy sauce.
- White Sesame Seeds – When you’re looking for these seeds at the grocery store, there are a few places you might find them. Check the baking aisle or the spice aisle or take a look in the sections where international foods or Asian foods are stocked.
- Neutral Oil – Any neutral oil will work for this — avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and canola oil are all good options.
- Fine Sea Salt – Just a pinch of salt helps to enhance the flavor of the sesame seeds.
Variations
This tahini recipe is a great base — you can add lots of other ingredients to adjust the flavor!
- Lemon – Squeeze in a little bit of lemon juice to add a citrusy flavor to the sauce.
- Garlic – Blend in minced fresh garlic cloves or garlic powder.
- Spices – Try shaking in some cumin or cayenne pepper powder for an extra layer of flavor.
- Thickness – For a thinner consistency, whisk in a bit of water or add more oil.
- Sweetener – Agave, honey, or maple syrup can add sweetness to the sauce.
- Fresh Herbs – Make a green tahini sauce by adding fresh parsley, cilantro, mint, basil, or dill. Or use them as a garnish when serving.
- Oil – Use sesame oil to add even more nuttiness to the sauce. Or, use extra virgin olive oil for subtle floral undertones.
What To Serve With Tahini Sauce
Tahini sauce is a fantastic condiment that pairs perfectly with all sorts of proteins like chicken, beef, and lamb. It’s also a tasty spread for sandwiches and burgers and it’s an amazing addition to gyros, shawarma, kebabs, and falafel.
You can also use the sauce as a dressing for salads, as a spread for crostini, or as a dip for grilled or roasted vegetables. We also like to use tahini sauce to add extra flavor to rice bowls
It’s also great for making hummus, baba ganoush, or creamy salad dressings.
How to Make Tahini Sauce
This easy tahini sauce is a cinch to make. Just put your oven to work for a few minutes to toast the seeds before you let your food processor finish the job!
- Toast the seeds. Place the seeds on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put them in the preheated oven until to roast until they become light golden brown.
- Remove and cool. Take the seeds out of the oven and place them on a plate until they cool to room temperature.
- Blend. Place the seeds in a food processor or blender with the salt and a bit of the oil and blend. Continue to add oil, a little bit at a time, until the mixture is smooth and reaches the desired consistency.
- Store or serve. Serve the sauce immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate.
Storage and Freezing
This sauce stores particularly well so you can keep this sauce handy in the fridge or freezer. Just make sure to stir it well before serving.
How to Store Tahini
Transfer the sauce to a mason jar or airtight container and store for 3-4 weeks.
Can I Freeze Tahini?
Place the sauce in a freezer-safe container or a resealable freezer bag and store it for up to 3 months. If you want to store it in small portions, you can also freeze it in an ice cube tray.
Common Questions About Tahini Sauce
A basic tahini sauce recipe calls for white sesame seeds, oil, and salt.
Tahini sauce is not like tzatziki. Tahini is nutty and smooth while tzatziki is a combination of Greek yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Tahini is both earthy and nutty and sometimes has a slight bitterness, too.
Other Savory Sauces
If you know me, you know how much I love a good sauce. Here are some of my favorites.
Tahini Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups white sesame seeds
- 1-2 tablespoons neutral oil avocado oil , grapeseed oil, canola oil
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the sesame seeds into an even layer on the parchment and bake for 10 minutes or so.
- As soon as they have a light brown exterior, take them out of the oven and transfer to a plate to cool.
- Once completely cooled, put your toasted sesame seeds and 1 tablespoon of the oil and salt in a food processor, and blend until smooth. If it needs more oil, add it by the ½ tablespoon blending in between each addition.
- Scoop the finished tahini into an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-4 weeks. You may need to give it a good stir before each use much like you would with natural peanut butter, it has the tendency to separate.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool dry place.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments and ratings!
Nutrition
