Mustard Free Classic Tahini Sauce
Creamy, bright, and endlessly versatile, this tahini sauce comes together in minutes with just a handful of pantry staples. The magic happens when ice-cold water is whisked in gradually, transforming a thick, seized paste into a silky, pourable sauce that clings beautifully to everything it touches. Fresh lemon juice and a single clove of garlic keep the flavor sharp and lively, while a pinch of cumin adds just enough warmth to make it feel like something special. Store-bought condiments and dressings are notorious for sneaking in mustard or mustard flour as an emulsifier or flavor booster, so making this from scratch puts you fully in control of every ingredient. There is nothing here but sesame, citrus, garlic, and spice — clean, simple, and completely safe. A finishing scatter of fresh flat-leaf parsley lifts the color and adds a gentle herbal note if you want it. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, use it as a dip for warm flatbread, or spoon it generously over a grain bowl — it genuinely makes everything taste better.
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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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