Nitrate & Nitrite Free Classic Tahini Sauce
Creamy, nutty, and bright with fresh lemon, this tahini sauce comes together in minutes with just a handful of pantry staples. The technique is simple but satisfying — whisking the tahini with lemon juice first causes it to seize into a thick paste, and then ice water is added gradually until the sauce blooms into something silky and pourable. Ground cumin adds a subtle warmth that makes the whole thing taste far more complex than the ingredient list suggests. Every component here is naturally free of cured or processed additives, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or worry about hidden preservatives sneaking in. Fresh garlic and lemon do all the heavy lifting, giving you bold, clean flavor without any shortcuts. A finishing scatter of flat-leaf parsley adds a pop of color and freshness if you want it. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or grilled proteins — this sauce has a way of making 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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