Pork 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. The base is pure sesame paste whisked together with garlic, cumin, and a squeeze of citrus — completely plant-based and naturally free of any pork-derived ingredients, so there's nothing to second-guess on the label. The real trick is the ice water, added one tablespoon at a time, which transforms a seized, thick paste into a silky, pourable sauce with a texture that store-bought versions rarely match. A pinch of cumin adds just enough warmth to keep things interesting without overpowering the sesame. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, spoon it onto grain bowls, swipe it through a wrap, or use it as a dipping sauce — it genuinely works everywhere. The optional parsley stirred in at the end adds a pop of color and freshness that makes it feel restaurant-worthy with almost zero extra effort.
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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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