Xanthan Gum 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, grilled meats, grain bowls, warm pita, you name it. The magic happens when ice-cold water gets whisked in gradually, transforming a seized, thick paste into a silky, pourable sauce with a texture that no store-bought bottle can quite match. Because it's built entirely from whole, single-ingredient pantry staples — sesame paste, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt — there's no need for any stabilizers or thickeners whatsoever. That makes it a natural fit for anyone avoiding gums and additives, since the emulsification comes purely from technique and the natural oils in the tahini itself. A pinch of cumin adds warmth without overwhelming the sesame, and a handful of fresh parsley stirred in at the end gives it a pop of color and herby freshness. It comes together in minutes and keeps well in the fridge, so you can drizzle it over just about everything all week long.
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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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