The BEST Creamy Tahini Sauce Recipe

Did I self-proclaim the nickname #TahiniQueenie a few years ago? Yes, yes I did.

Why you ask? Because after a trip to Israel where we ate a good amount tahini-based dips and dishes, I couldn’t stop cooking and baking with tahini. If you haven’t tried my favorite recipes using tahini yet, here’s a list to get you started.

Lately, I can’t stop drizzling and dipping things in this easy-to-make, basic tahini sauce. It’s nut free, and perfect to drizzle over roasted sweet potatoes, carrots or cauliflower or to spoon over a quick buddha bowl or salad. Creamy, quick to make, earthy and ridiculously addicting — I hope you give it a try!

What is tahini?

Tahini is simply ground sesame seeds and it’s very similar to how peanut butter or almond butter is made. Good tahini is creamy, mild, nutty, toasty and spoonable. It should not be overly bitter, thick or pasty. My favorite brand of tahini is bySoom (plus it’s female-owned!).

Ingredients in basic tahini sauce

You’ll only need a handful of super simple ingredients to make this incredible tahini sauce. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Tahini: you’ll want to use a natural tahini that’s just ground sesame seeds. More info on tahini and my favorite brand below! It’s a nut-free option to using nut butter that’s creamy, mild and toasty. Great for adding your favorite flavors like in this easy sauce. Use the code ‘ambitiouskitchen’ to get 10% off my favorite brand, Soom!
Garlic: for a punch of delicious flavor.
Lemon juice: a little lemon juice adds the perfect acidity to this tahini sauce recipe.
Water: you’ll want to add a bit of water, just a small amount at a time, to thin out the sauce to your liking.
Salt & pepper: to bring all of the flavors together.
Optional add-ins: dijon mustard for a slightly tangy flavor and pure maple syrup for a little sweetness to pair with the nutty tahini and zippy lemon juice.

How to make creamy tahini sauce

A one-step, one-bowl recipe? Yes, please:

In a small bowl mix together tahini, garlic, lemon juice, water and salt until well combined and creamy. Add maple syrup if you’d like it to be a little sweeter or dijon mustard if you want some tang. Drizzle over whatever your heart desires.

Customize your sauce

Feel free to get a little creative with your tahini sauce. Here are a few suggestions:

Get herby. Blend it up with cilantro, parsley, basil or even mint for an herby dip or dressing.
Go earthy. Add 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric for an earthy yummy yellow dressing or dip.
Add protein. Stir in 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt for a creamy, protein packed dressing.

Ways to use this tahini sauce

Not only will you fall in love with this easy, creamy tahini sauce, but you’ll also be obsessed with all of the ways you can use it. Here’s what I suggest:

As a dip. It’s the perfect dip for yummy sweet potato fries, raw veggies or even chicken nuggets.
As a topping. Spoon it onto your favorite burgers like this one or this one, or on your go-to sandwiches.
As a dressing. Use it as a salad dressing like this salad for creamy, delicious flavor.
As a drizzle. Drizzle it on roasted or grilled veggies for a wonderfully savory side dish.

How to store homemade tahini sauce

Store this creamy vegan tahini sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If the sauce appears too thick for your liking when you take it out of the fridge, simply add a bit of water and mix it well.

More sauces, dips & dressings

Spicy Green Cashew Dip
Creamy Tahini Poppy Seed Dressing
Our Favorite Homemade Tomato Sauce (using fresh tomatoes!)
Sunshine Dressing
Jalapeño Cashew Cream Sauce

Get all of my sauces recipes here!

I hope you love this delicious basic tahini sauce recipe and find some fun, creative ways to use it! If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and rate the recipe below so others know how you liked it! Thank you for your readership! xo.

The BEST Creamy Tahini Sauce Recipe | Ambitious Kitchen (5)

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Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

ServesServes 8 servings

The BEST basic tahini sauce made with simple ingredients like all natural tahini, lemon juice, garlic and optional flavor add-ins. This creamy, easy tahini sauce recipe is vegan, nut free and delicious as a dressing or dip for tons of different recipes.

Ingredients

1/2 cup tahini
2 cloves garlic, grated (or sub ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
¼ cup lemon juice
Optional: ½ teaspoon dijon for a little zing
2-3 tablespoons warm water, to thin out a bit
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Optional: 1-2 teaspoons pure maple syrup to sweeten a little

Instructions

In a small bowl mix together tahini, garlic, lemon juice, water and salt until well combined and creamy. Drizzle over whatever your heart desires.

Recipe Notes

I like to use hulled tahini for tahini sauce. Soom is my favorite brand!

See the full post for fun ways to customize your tahini sauce, plus storing tips.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 92calCarbohydrates: 4.1gProtein: 2.6gFat: 8.1gSaturated Fat: 1.1gFiber: 1.4gSugar: 0.3g

FAQs

Why is my tahini sauce not smooth? ›

The key to smooth and runny tahini is to give it time, so keep blending. Transfer to a container and enjoy!

Read On ›

How do you make tahini sauce not bitter? ›

If your tahini is dry, or if you prefer a thinner sauce, add more water, as needed, to reach your desired consistency. Then, taste and adjust your seasonings. If you prefer a brighter sauce, add more lemon. If it is too bitter, stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey.

Tell Me More ›

Does lemon juice thicken tahini? ›

The acid in the lemon juice causes a very runny tahini sauce to thicken up and become stiff and solid.

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How to make tahini sauce Ottolenghi? ›

Put the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, half a teaspoon of salt and 100ml water in a small saucepan. Whisk to a smooth paste, then put on a medium-low heat and whisk in the yoghurt bit by bit, until the sauce starts to steam.

Find Out More ›

Why does tahini seize with lemon juice? ›

Tahini is simply sesame-seed butter, made by grinding hulled sesame seeds into a paste. Much of its makeup is carbohydrates, and when a small amount of juice (or any water-containing liquid) is added to tahini, a portion of each carbohydrate molecule is drawn to the water.

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What is the least bitter tahini? ›

#1: Baron's Organic Tahini

Naturally mild sweetness and not too bitter. Texture: 5 – About as creamy and smooth as it gets. Overall thoughts: 4.25 – We love how easy it is to stir and how creamy it is, and the flavor was pretty delicious.

Read The Full Story ›

Why does tahini upset my stomach? ›

Effect on Digestion

It was difficult to mix, which I imagine might mean it is slow and difficult to digest and move through the body." For some clients, the dryness and difficulty to digest made tahini constipating, with one describing "lower abdominal discomfort, gas, bloating and mild constipation" after eating.

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Why does my tahini taste weird? ›

The taste will be sour, kind of metallic, and just plain weird. Utilizing a trusty sniff test is another way of finding out if it's time for your tahini to take a one-way trip to the bin. But something that's important to remember is that ground sesame seeds do naturally have a slightly earthy, bitter aftertaste.

Why is my tahini sauce so thick? ›

Because tahini is made from ground sesame seeds, the sesame oil in it tends to separate. Even when you stir the oil back into the tahini, it might be too thick for your purposes. Fortunately, it's easy to thin the tahini using ingredients you already have on hand.

Get More Info Here ›

What thickens tahini? ›

Adding a small amount of water to tahini causes it to thicken into a paste because of carbohydrate binding.

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What is a good substitute for tahini dressing? ›

Because tahini is the butter of sesame seeds, you might want to consider a nut or seed butter as a go-to substitute. Other options include greek yogurt and sesame oil. These tahini substitutes will complement your dish since they are all sources of healthy fats and contribute to a creamy consistency.

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Why is my tahini dressing lumpy? ›

Tahini seizes when mixed with liquids such as must-have fresh lemon juice. In cooking, seizing means the smooth liquid (tahini, or melted chocolate) gets stiff and clumpy. Knowing that tahini seizes, and how to fix it, is the key to how to make a great sauce! Fix the seized mixture with the addition of ice cold water.

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Why is my tahini lumpy? ›

Tahini that hides in the fridge for too long (or stored in fridges that feel more like freezers) can turn chunky and hard. So hard you'll feel like you need a cement mixer to get things moving again. That's why, if you are storing your tahini in the fridge, make sure the temperature of your fridge is not too cold.

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Why has my tahini dressing curdled? ›

Tahini "seizes up" when a small amount of water-based liquid is added but the emulsion has not yet inverted. It's not really a problem. As more liquid is incorporated, the emulsion will invert and things will become smooth again.

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