Name: Tahini Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1/2 cup tahini; 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice; 6 tbsp water plus more as needed; 1 small garlic clove grated; 1/2 tsp sea salt; Maple syrup or honey if needed; Extra-virgin olive oil if needed

Tahini Sauce

Five ingredients, five minutes — tahini, lemon, garlic, water, and salt whisked into a silky sauce that improves whatever's already in the fridge.

DifficultyEasyTotal time5 minServes4

Overview

Prep5 min

Cook0 min

Total5 min

Servings4

DifficultyEasy

Equipment

Bowl
Whisk

Method

Combine

Combine tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, and salt in a bowl.

Whisk

Whisk continuously.

Keep going

Don't worry when the tahini initially tightens and looks thicker — keep whisking.

Whisk until creamy

Continue until smooth and creamy.

Thin it out

Add more water if you'd like a thinner sauce.

Taste

Taste.

Balance bitterness

If it's too bitter, add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey.

Balance sharpness

If it's too sharp, add 1/2-1 teaspoon olive oil.

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Tips

NoteTahini getting thicker when you add liquid looks wrong, but it isn't. Keep whisking and it comes back together.

NoteGood tahini also matters here because there are so few ingredients to hide behind.

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Nutrition

AllergensSesame

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Storage

RefrigeratorUp to 5 days in a sealed jar; it thickens as it chills, so loosen with a spoonful of water.

Frequently asked

Why did my tahini seize up?+

That's normal. Keep whisking and it loosens back into a smooth sauce.

Can I make it without garlic?+

Yes — leave it out, or use a pinch of garlic powder for a milder flavor.

Tahini Sauce

Overview

Ingredients

Equipment