MSG Free Sunflower Seed Lemon Sauce
Bright, tangy, and impossibly creamy, this sunflower seed sauce is the kind of versatile condiment that earns a permanent spot in your fridge rotation. A quick soak softens the seeds before blending, which is the key to that silky, smooth texture — no graininess, just a rich, velvety pour. Fresh lemon juice and zest give it a lively citrus backbone, while garlic, cumin, and a whisper of cayenne add just enough depth and warmth to keep things interesting. Every single ingredient here is whole and unprocessed, so you never have to second-guess a label or worry about hidden flavor enhancers sneaking into your meal. It comes together in a blender in under ten minutes of active effort, making it one of the easiest homemade sauces you'll ever pull off. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, use it as a dip, toss it with grain bowls, or thin it down further as a salad dressing — the possibilities are genuinely endless. Make a batch on Sunday and you'll find yourself reaching for it all week long.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 1 cup raw sunflower seeds
- ½ cup water, plus more to thin
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the sunflower seeds in the blender or food processor and cover with cold water by at least 1 inch. Let soak for 30 minutes, then drain and rinse thoroughly under cold running water.
- 2
Add the drained sunflower seeds, 1/2 cup fresh water, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, salt, cumin, and cayenne (if using) to the blender. Blend on high for 60–90 seconds until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides once halfway through.
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