Garlic Tahini Sauce

You’ll want to add this Garlic Tahini Sauce to all your meals! It’s simple to make and full of bright flavor!

It’s getting saucy up in here. A good sauce or dressing can totally elevate a meal without a ton of effort. And most food is better with a side of creamy sauce or a garlicky dip. So today I’m going to help you make your mealtime more flavorful by sharing this delicious tahini sauce recipe.

But why should YOU go for this sauce? For one, it is homemade tahini sauce made using simple ingredients. Secondly, it is infused with savory garlic and tangy lemon juice, making it a versatile sauce that pairs with so many meals. It’s going to elevate your dinner!

This lemon garlic tahini sauce is usually added to eastern Mediterranean dishes; however, it is also ideal for salad dressings, pita bread spread, whole grain bowls, and fresh veggies. You can also use it as a baba ganoush dip that pairs well with French fries, potato wedges, and roasted vegetables.

I use a similar sauce for this Roasted Vegetable Buddha Bowl, but this one really ramps up the garlic and the technique is inspired by a recipe by Chef Michael Solomonov. Check out his cookbook Zahav: A World of Isreali Cooking.

Recipe Ingredients–What You Need

When we talk about dips and sauces, we assume it requires many ingredients and an extensive procedure to get the perfect taste and consistency. What if I told you that’s not the case? This delicious sauce requires only 7 everyday ingredients and takes hardly 5 minutes to whip up!

Garlic

The key ingredient for this simple sauce is garlic. We need 6 crushed cloves of garlic. I recommend using fresh garlic to make this flavorful sauce. Don’t use the pre minced stuff here. Yes, I sometimes use that shortcut. But the flavor just isn’t the same and you need fresh for this recipe.

Garlic is a good source of manganese, selenium, fiber, and Vitamins B6 and C. It helps protect the body against the common flu and reduces blood pressure, cholesterol, and the risk of heart disease.

Lemon Juice

The second primary ingredient for this traditional Middle Eastern sauce is fresh lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of it. It adds distinct lemon flavors to make a delicious tahini sauce.

Lemon juice has plenty of Vitamin C, plant compounds, and soluble fibers that regulate blood sugar, reduce blood pressure, lower the risk of heart diseases, aid weight loss, and prevent kidney stones. Moreover, lemons are a good source of potassium and Vitamin B6.

Tahini

And obviously, we can’t make a tahini sauce without tahini! Therefore, we need ¼ cup tahini paste.

Tahini is basically a condiment you can find in Middle Eastern stores and most well-stocked grocery stores, often in the international aisle. It is made using ground sesame seeds into a ground sesame paste. It is a versatile sauce that can be used as a dip, sauce, salad dressing, or bowl topper. You will probably find different varieties of tahini dressing in your local grocery store, however, always go for the good quality ones without any added ingredients.

Cumin

We need ⅛ teaspoon of ground cumin for the lemon tahini sauce. Although we’re using just a little bit of cumin, its rich, warm, earthy, and nutty flavor enhances the taste of this creamy tahini recipe.

Cumin has an impressive number of health benefits for being such a tiny herb. It has anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. It fights bacteria and parasites, helps regulate blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol, and has anti-inflammatory effects. It is also known to aid in weight loss, treat irritable bowel movements, and boost memory. In short, cumin is a power-packed ingredient that adds taste to this tangy tahini sauce.

Salt

We’ll add ⅛ teaspoon of salt to the garlic tahini sauce because it enhances the flavor. And we can’t deny that everything is incomplete without salt!

Black Pepper

And when there’s salt, there’s pepper! A pinch of freshly ground black pepper adds depth and a dash of spice to the tahini sauce.

Water

Lastly, we need cold water for this light sauce. There’s no set quantity for the amount of water; however, you can add 1 or 2 teaspoons at a time and whisk simultaneously to achieve the desired consistency.

The garlic tahini sauce can end up quite thick because of the ingredients used; therefore, a little water helps thin it down a bit. However, make sure to use ice water, as it helps create a smooth paste.

How to Make Garlic Lemon Tahini Sauce

 

The garlic lemon tahini sauce is pretty quick and easy to make. You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen, as it can be whipped up in hardly 10 minutes and tastes heavenly!

1. Place the crushed garlic and lemon juice in a small blender and pulse until they are just mixed.

2. Strain the lemon juice and garlic mixture through a fine mesh sieve, extracting as much liquid as possible.

3. Combine the garlic-infused lemon juice, tahini, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk until well combined. The mixture will be very thick.

4. Add cold water, 1 – 2 teaspoons at a time, while whisking, until your desired consistency is reached.

FAQs

I’m answering all of the anticipated questions here. If you have any more questions about this sauce, leave them in the comments and I am happy to help you!

How should we store the garlic tahini sauce?

To store the garlic tahini sauce, place it in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, refrigerating the sauce might make it a little thicker than usual; therefore, add a few teaspoons of water to get a thinner consistency.

What to serve with this sauce?

This Garlic Tahini Sauce would be delicious with this Crispy Baked Falafel. I’d also top it on any of your vegetable side dishes, such as this Honey Mustard Roasted Carrots, these Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, or this Steamed Broccoli (Instant Pot). The photo above is a recipe for Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini–it’s a must make!

If you try this recipe or any of my other healthy recipes, please let me know what you think in the comments below and don’t forget to leave a star rating. Share your photo on Instagram and tag me and I’ll feature you. I can’t wait to see you try this!

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