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Velvety Prepared Tahini

Apr 03, 2025
prepared tahini with sesame seeds

This rich and silky tahini sauce is a versatile staple in Middle Eastern cooking. It starts with earthy, nutty tahini and gets brightness from lemon juice, warmth from cumin, and a savory edge from garlic and salt. The magic happens when you add ice water—transforming the mixture into a luxuriously smooth sauce perfect for drizzling over roasted vegetables, grain bowls, falafel, or grilled meats. It's endlessly adaptable and comes together in minutes.

Ingredients

1 cup (308 grams) tahini
¼ cup (54 grams) fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon (20 grams) garlic, minced (about 4–5 cloves)
2 teaspoons (10 grams) ground cumin
Salt, to taste
Ice water, as needed (start with ¼ cup and adjust as desired)

Instructions

In a mixing bowl or food processor, combine the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt.

Slowly add ice water, a little at a time, blending or whisking until the mixture becomes light, smooth, and creamy. Adjust the amount of water depending on your desired thickness—thicker for dipping, thinner for drizzling.

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

This tahini sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to a week and may thicken as it chills—just whisk in a splash of water to bring it back to your preferred consistency. Spice it up and flavor it with herbs, chili, or roasted peppers! This also makes a great base for hummus.

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