This easy Spiced Tahini Sauce is made with just 6 ingredients and comes together in a few minutes. It's delicious as a dipping sauce, a spread for sandwiches or pita, a salad dressing or even a sauce for pasta. (Naturally vegan and gluten free.)
The easiest way to make a grain bowl or salad more appealing? A delicious dip/dressing!
This spiced tahini is just that. It's flavorful, creamy, a little nutty, has just the right amount of spice, and it couldn't be any easier to make. It can be used in so many different ways – think roasted vegetables, salads, sandwich spreads, pasta sauce and so much more.
It's one of those things you can whip up in 5 minutes and keep on hand in the fridge for busy weeknights when you need a little extra flavor. Scroll down for our favorite ways to use it!
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: You just need 6 pantry staples, a whisk and a mixing bowl to make this spiced tahini, and it's ready in under 5 minutes.
- Versatile: There are so many ways to use this spiced tahini sauce, including as a dressing, dipping sauce, spread, condiment, pasta sauce and more. The options are endless!
- Naturally vegan and gluten free: Dairy free, grain free and nut free. It's a great option for those with dietary restrictions!
- Stores well: This spiced tahini stores well in the fridge for several days. You can make it at the beginning of the week and use it all week to add spice and flavor to your favorite recipes!
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this spiced tahini:
Ingredient Notes
- Tahini: You should be able to find tahini in your grocery store near other nut butters. Note that tahini made of ground sesame seeds, so it should be avoided by those with a sesame allergy. If you're feeling ambitious, try making it from scratch!
- Salt: We use Diamond brand kosher salt. If you choose to use fine grain sea salt or table salt, they are a finer grain so you will most likely want to start with a little less salt and then taste and adjust the recipe if needed.
- Sriracha: If you don't have sriracha on hand, feel free to use another vinegar based hot sauce. (Harissa paste would also be a great substitute!) You can increase or decrease the amount of hot sauce depending on your spice preference. As is, we would describe this spiced tahini as moderately spicy.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is always best for maximum flavor.
- Agave: You can also use honey. Leave it out if you'd prefer no sugar, but note that it helps balance all of the flavors.
- Water: This is essential for a smooth, creamy, pourable sauce. At first when you start to whisk in the water, the sauce will start to separate, but just be patient. It will come back together for a super smooth sauce in no time! Depending on how thick your tahini is, you may need to add an extra tablespoon or two of water.
Instructions
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a small mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust spice level as desired.
Ways to Use Spiced Tahini
- Serve with our chickpea patties
- Use it as a dipping sauce for grilled or roasted vegetables
- With shawarma: Try our vegan shawarma or these vegan shawarma tacos
- As a salad dressing: Try it on our spinach chickpea salad. It's also a great choice for a grain or buddha bowl with roasted vegetables.
- With zucchini or carrot fritters
- On a mezze platter with other dips like hummus, tzatziki, roasted carrot dip and more.
- Drizzle on top of harissa roasted carrots
- Use as a pasta sauce in this tahini pasta
- With a protein: like our mediterranean grilled tofu, grilled chicken, fish, etc.
- Instead of ketchup, try spiced tahini with these baked tofu nuggets
- Drizzle on top of zucchini boats or stuffed peppers
- As a sandwich spread or condiment for burgers
Tips and FAQs
- Adjust spice level to your taste: Sensitive to spice? Cut the amount of sriracha in half. Like it extra spicy? Add a little extra hot sauce. We find that the amount listed in this recipe is about medium spice level, but everyone has a different tolerance!
- Storage: Stored in an airtight container, this spiced tahini will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. Before using, give it a good stir as the sauce may separate and become thicker as it sits.
- Flavor variations:
- For an extra creamy, tangy sauce, try adding in a dollop of yogurt or sour cream.
- Substitute lime juice for lemon juice for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Experiment with different dried spices, like chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, etc.
- Try a different hot sauce instead of sriracha. Harissa paste is a great option!
Technically, yes. However, freeze this spiced tahini may alter the texture – it may become grainy or thicker when defrosted. If you would like to freeze it, transfer the sauce to a sealed bag (or an ice cube tray) and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and stir well before serving. You may need to thin it out with extra water.
Other Sauce Recipes to Enjoy
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Spiced Tahini
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This easy Spiced Tahini Sauce is made with just 6 ingredients and comes together in a few minutes. It's delicious as a dipping sauce, a spread for sandwiches or pita, a salad dressing or even a sauce for pasta. (Naturally vegan and gluten free.)
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup tahini
- ½ cup warm water
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons sriracha (or another hot sauce of choice)
- 2 teaspoons agave or honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small mixing bowl.
- Whisk ingredients together until smooth. Taste and adjust spice level as desired.
Notes
Adjust spice level to your taste: Sensitive to spice? Cut the amount of sriracha in half. Like it extra spicy? Add a little extra hot sauce. We find that the amount listed in this recipe is about medium spice level, but everyone has a different tolerance!
Storage: Stored in an airtight container, this spiced tahini will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. Before using, give it a good stir as the sauce may separate and become thicker as it sits.
Freezer storage: transfer the sauce to a sealed bag (or an ice cube tray) and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and stir well before serving. You may need to thin it out with extra water.
Water: This is essential for a smooth, creamy, pourable sauce. At first when you start to whisk in the water, the sauce will start to separate, but just be patient. It will come back together for a super smooth sauce in no time! Depending on how thick your tahini is, you may need to add an extra tablespoon or two of water.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It may vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauces
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 1.9 g
- Sodium: 234.5 mg
- Fat: 10.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1.1 g
- Protein: 3.6 g
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