Artificial Flavors Free Classic Tahini Sauce
Real tahini sauce made from scratch is a completely different animal from the bottled versions lining grocery store shelves, many of which sneak in preservatives, natural flavors, or other additives you didn't ask for. This version keeps things beautifully honest — just sesame tahini, fresh lemon juice, a single clove of garlic, cumin, salt, and ice water. The ice water trick is the secret weapon here: adding it gradually while whisking transforms the seized, thick paste into a silky, pourable sauce with a texture that store-bought simply can't match. A pinch of cumin adds warmth without overwhelming the nutty, slightly bitter depth that makes tahini so craveable. It comes together in one bowl with nothing but a whisk, making it one of the most effortless condiments you'll ever pull off. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, falafel, grain bowls, or grilled meats — or honestly, just eat it with warm pita and call it a meal.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- ½ cup tahini
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- 3–5 tbsp ice water, plus more as needed
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and cumin until the mixture seizes into a thick, pale paste.
- 2
Add the ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking vigorously after each addition, until the sauce loosens to a smooth, pourable consistency that falls off the whisk in a slow, steady ribbon. Start with 3 tablespoons and add more for a thinner sauce.
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