Easy Tahini Sauce (Vegan)
This easy tahini sauce comes together in minutes! The silky, dairy-free sauce is amazing over these crispy Pan-Fried Falafel, grain bowls, roasted vegetables, salads and even as a dip. Sometimes store-bought tahini can be rather bitter, in which you can add touch of honey or maple syrup—it’s not traditional but it balances the flavors (a hint of sweetness is also a great way to introduce the sauce to kids!). You can make the sauce thinner or thicker by adjusting the amount of water as you like. Check out the other Tips below!
Servings: 1 scant cup
Equipment
- Mini food processor
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- ½ cup well-stirred tahini
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup, optional
- Salt
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons water, plus more to taste
Instructions
- In a mini food processor, process the garlic until finely chopped.
- Add the tahini, lemon juice and honey (if using), and season with salt. Process until combined (it will be quite thick).
- Add the water and process until smooth, stopping and scraping the sides occasionally. Season with salt to taste (feel free to add more lemon juice and/or honey as desired). For a thinner sauce, add another splash or two of water, and process until smooth.
Notes
Do Ahead: The tahini sauce can be stored at room temperature for up to 6 hours, or it can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Bring it to room temperature before serving (if needed, thin it with another 1-2 tablespoons of water).
Tips:
- Store-bought tahini varies widely in its texture and flavor. I prefer to use a pourable tahini (shake the jar—you should hear it sloshing). Soom brand is my favorite.
- A mini food processor makes it easy to create a silky smooth sauce. If you don’t have one you can simply whisk together the sauce (make sure the tahini you use is pourable).
- If you’re sensitive to garlic, crush the garlic clove and let it steep in the lemon juice for 10-15 minutes (or longer). Discard the garlic clove before using the lemon juice—you’ll still get its flavor without the bite.
- Try this easy tahini sauce over these crispy Pan-Fried Falafel and on this Seared Halloumi Salad!
- For another variation, try this Green Tahini Sauce.
- Find a ton of other easy, no-cook sauce recipes in my book, Build-a-Bowl.
Loved this recipe? Check out @nickisizemore for more!