This easy homemade Tahini Sauce is perfect for all your favorite Mediterranean dishes from rice bowls to pita sandwiches to grilled meats. This sauce comes together with 4 simple ingredients and is so simple to make.
Tahini Sauce in Lebanon is used on a lot of different recipes from grilled meats, to pita wraps to salads. I am excited to share this simple recipe using only 5 ingredients with you guys.
For any of you that eat at Mediterranean restaurants you are probably familiar with it. I have seen a variety of ways to make it but today’s is how I make it.
I think a lot of it depends on your tastes so I suggest making it, tasting it and adjusting the lemon juice, garlic or even the thickness of it to your liking.
Where I live we have a local restaurant called Aladdins. It is a Lebanese restaurant and so many of their dishes remind me of my grandma’s cooking.
When you order a lot of their hummus plates, pita wraps or salads you will get a side of tahini sauce. If you are going to be cooking a lot of Mediterranean dishes then this recipe is one to keep on hand!
If you like tahini you also might like this tahini yogurt dressing or dill salad dressing that you can also use as a dip, on salads or wraps.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
- Tahini Paste: Otherwise known as sesame paste, tahini paste is the most important ingredient in a tahini sauce.
- Lemon Juice: The lemon juice is also used to thin out the tahini sauce and add a touch of sweetness to the nutty flavor.
- Garlic: Garlic adds flavor as well. You can use less if you feel that 4 garlic cloves is too much. I love garlic so I go for more.
Please see the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and instructions.
What is Tahini Sauce used for
- Shawarma: I love serving chicken or beef shawarma recipes with a homemade tahini sauce. It adds a nice earthy flavor to the dishes.
- Mediterranean Salads: Tahini sauce is a nice dressing to add to your favorite salads. A few I like to use it with are this Lebanese Salad, Balela or a Mediterranean Chopped Salad.
- Rice Bowls: You can use this sauce in rice bowls. I especially love it in these Beef Kafta Meatballs.
- Hummus Bowls: A traditional food in many Mediterranean countries is a hummus plate which will often have a salad and some sort of grilled meat on it. Use this sauce to pair with a hummus plate like this Hummus with Spice Beef and Toasted Pine Nuts.
Recipe FAQ
Slowly add cold water slowly while whisking. It will seize up at first, then loosen into a creamy texture that is thinner.
It could turn bitter because it is old or it is lower quality. Always taste your tahini before using as it should be nutty, not bitter.
Yes you can! Make sure to store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5–7 days. Stir or whisk before using, as it may thicken.
More Mediterranean Recipes
Mediterranean
Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
Vegetarian
Mediterranean Hummus Toast with Za’atar
Mediterranean
Mediterranean Flatbread
Seafood
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
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Tahini Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup tahini paste
- 1/4 cup water {add more for consistency}
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Dash of pepper
Instructions
- In a large mason jar or salad dressing container combine the tahini paste, water, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper and whisk well until combine.
- Add cold water slowly for a thinner consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning.
