How To Make Tahini Sauce

A rich, creamy staple of Mediterranean cuisine, tahini sauce is a wonderful complement to warm pita, grilled vegetables and various chicken dishes. It's known for its nutty flavour and a touch of tanginess. 

Keep reading to learn the steps to creating a homemade tahini sauce that can elevate some classic recipes and your favourite meals.

What Is Tahini Sauce?

Tahini is a butter or paste made from ground sesame. It’s popular in Middle Eastern or Mediterranean cuisine and often accompanies pita, vegetables and proteins. It’s also a key ingredient in hummus. 

Tahini also has a sweet side and its creaminess has made it a common ingredient in many dessert recipes such as halva, banana bread and cookies.

RECIPE FOR TAHINI SAUCE

This simple recipe breaks down the steps for making tahini and tahini sauce with your KitchenAid^® Food Processor or KitchenAid^® Blender. Tailor this recipe to your tastes by adding your favourite spices and ingredients.

STEP 1: TOAST THE SESAME SEEDS

Place the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat and use a wooden spoon to stir them frequently. Toast the seeds for 5 minutes until they are lightly coloured and fragrant. 

Sesame seeds can also be toasted in an oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). While the oven is preheating, spread the seeds on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast the seeds for roughly 5 minutes, stirring once or twice. As soon as they are toasted, transfer the seeds to a plate and let them cool completely.

STEP 2: GRIND THE SESAME SEEDS

Now that the sesame seeds are cool, add them to a KitchenAid^® Food Processor. Attach the multi-purpose blade and grind the seeds for 2 to 3 minutes with the pureé setting. You’ll know to stop when the seeds turn to a crumbly paste. If you choose to use a blender instead, the Ice Crush/Pulse function is the best way to grind the seeds.

STEP 3: ADD OIL AND SALT

Drizzle oil into the food processor’s feed tube while it’s running for 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape the sides using a spoon or spatula. 

Process the ingredients until the seeds and oil combine to form a thick and semi-smooth paste. If you prefer a thinner tahini, keep adding oil until it reaches your desired consistency. Lastly, add salt to taste.

STEP 4: STORE THE TAHINI PASTE

Set aside some of this mixture for your tahini sauce. The remaining paste can be stored in a container or jar.

STEP 5: COMBINE LEMON JUICE AND GARLIC

Combine the garlic cloves and lemon juice so that they’re well incorporated. Let this mixture rest for about ten minutes. This will give the garlic a chance to become infused with the lemon flavour.

STEP 6: POUR THE MIXTURE THROUGH A FINE-MESH SIEVE

Place a medium bowl under a fine-mesh sieve and pour the garlic and lemon mixture into the sieve. To extract as much flavourful liquid as possible, press the garlic solids with a spoon or spatula. Once you’ve gotten all that you can, discard the garlic.

STEP 7: MIX TAHINI, SALT AND CUMIN

Mix the tahini you made earlier with the garlic and lemon mixture, salt and cumin and then whisk until all the ingredients have combined. Feel free to add any other seasoning to customize the sauce to your liking.

Step 8: Add water

Whisk a little bit of water at a time into the mixture until you achieve a creamy texture and light colour.

SHOP KITCHENAID^® FOOD PROCESSORS AND BLENDERS FOR MAKING TAHINI SAUCE

KitchenAid^® Food Processors are designed to push the bounds of culinary expression in the kitchen. Find the tools you need to bring your inspirations like homemade tahini sauce and savory Mediterranean dishes to life.

What Can You Make With Tahini?

You can use tahini paste to complete or enhance a ton of savoury or sweet dishes. It is most commonly used in hummus and baba ghanoush recipes, salad dressings, on falafels or in baked goods such as banana bread. Tahini sauce is also a delightfully bold and rich dip for raw veggies.

CAN I REFRIGERATE TAHINI?

Homemade tahini can be refrigerated for up to one month in an airtight container or lidded jar. Give it a good stir if the oil separates from the solids.

TAHINI VS. TZATZIKI SAUCE: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Tahini and tzatziki are very different despite sometimes being viewed as similar. Tzatziki is a cucumber-yogurt sauce whereas tahini sauce is derived from tahini, which is ground sesame seeds turned into a peanut butter-like paste.

Ready to make your very first batch of tahini sauce? Or do you want to tackle another sauce from another corner of the world? If so, shop KitchenAid^® Food Processor and KitchenAid^® Blenders, two essential tools for producing creamy sauces that are packed with flavour.