High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Classic Tahini Sauce
Creamy, nutty, and bright with fresh lemon, this tahini sauce is the kind of condiment that makes everything it touches taste better — roasted vegetables, grain bowls, grilled meats, warm pita, you name it. Store-bought versions are a minefield for anyone avoiding high fructose corn syrup, since sweeteners and stabilizers have a way of sneaking into even the most "natural-looking" bottles on the shelf. Making it from scratch takes just minutes and a handful of clean, whole ingredients, so you know exactly what's going in. The trick is adding ice water gradually and whisking hard — that's what transforms the thick, seized paste into a silky, pourable sauce with a texture that rivals anything you'd find at a restaurant. A pinch of cumin adds subtle warmth that rounds out the sharpness of the garlic and lemon without overpowering the sesame. Fresh parsley stirred in at the end gives it a little color and a clean, herby finish if you want to dress it up. Once you see how easy this is, the jarred stuff really won't stand a chance.
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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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