BHA & BHT Free Classic Tahini Sauce

Total time10 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time0 min

4.5

(29)

Creamy, bright, and endlessly versatile, this tahini sauce comes together in minutes with nothing more than a bowl and a whisk. The base is pure sesame paste loosened with ice water — a simple trick that transforms thick tahini into a silky, pourable sauce with a texture that store-bought versions rarely nail. Fresh lemon juice and a hint of cumin give it that unmistakable tangy depth, while a single clove of garlic keeps things bold without being overpowering. For anyone avoiding synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT, packaged condiments and bottled dressings can be a minefield, but making this from scratch puts you fully in control of every ingredient. There's no label-reading required — just clean, whole-food staples that happen to produce something genuinely delicious. A finishing scatter of fresh flat-leaf parsley adds a pop of color and a herby lift if you want it. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, use it as a dip, or spoon it generously onto anything that needs a little richness.

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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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