Homemade Tahini (Gluten-Free & Vegan-Friendly)
Don't let the title saying vegan trick you into changing your mind, when it comes to this sauce. All tahini sauce, if made right, should be vegan. Tahini sauce can be made in a lot of ways and with various seasonings and sometimes the items that are added to tahini may change it's vegan origin. If you are purchasing tahini from the store, make sure to read the ingredients.
What is in Tahini Sauce?
Tahini sauce is not only delicious, it is simple also. You can easily make it from scratch and it's only made with 4 ingredients. So what are those 4 ingredients and what do they lend to each other?
Tahini Paste – If you don't want to dive completely into the “make it from scratch” lifestyle, you can buy this at your local grocery store or you can buy it online. I highly 
- Where Can You Find Tahini Paste in the Store? You have probably walked by tahini paste a thousand times and never realized it. It is sold in a plastic jar and can usually be found in the peanut butter aisle. If you cannot find it in the peanut butter aisle, look in the international aisle.
Garlic – Garlic is a really important ingredient. You can mince it or grate it.
Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed is best but lemon juice from a bottle works great too.
Salt – A coarser salt works best for flavor elevation, but if you only have table salt available, it works great in this recipe too.
You can make tahini sauce in a lot of different ways, depending on what you plan to use it for. You can use it as a sauce for falafels or as a spread for pita. It is also an amazing ingredient when you use it in things like hummus and salad dressings.
If you want to change it up a little, you can also make it into a sweet sauce by adding a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey. You can add a little spice by adding a few tablespoons of jalapeno juice or a little hot sauce. Don't be afraid to give it a little flare!
How To Store Tahini Paste and Tahini Sauce
When you purchase tahini paste, you will notice a thin layer of liquid on top. Don't worry, this is completely normal. Since tahini paste is made from sesame seeds that are ground into a paste, it will separate some. Just stir the contents until it comes back together in a smooth mixture.
Tahini paste does require refrigeration after you open it.
Tahini Sauce should be stored in a jar (or other airtight container) in the refrigerator. You can store it refrigerated for up to 10 days.
Homemade Tahini (Gluten-Free & Vegan-Friendly)
This easy to make Tahini Sauce recipe is luxurious, creamy, and unbelievably flavorful. You can drizzle it on almost anything. It is gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup tahini paste
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, coarse ground (recommended)
- 6 to 8 tablespoons cold water
Cook Time
Instructions
- Mince your garlic finely, or use a garlic press to ensure there are no large pieces.
- Mix tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt in a bowl. Adding one tablespoon of water at a time, whisk the mixture until it becomes the desired consistency. The sauce may feel like its seizing up when you add liquid but keep whisking until it becomes a silky smooth sauce.
- Adjust seasonings and water to achieve the desired taste and consistency.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 93 |
| Calories from Fat | 72 |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Fat 8 g | 12% |
| Saturated fat 1 g | 5% |
| Unsaturated fat 3 g | |
| Carbohydrates 4 g | 1% |
| Sugar 0 g | |
| Fiber 1 g | 4% |
| Protein 3 g | 6% |
| Cholesterol 0 mg | |
| Sodium 18 mg | 1% |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. | |
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2025 Cara Garrison
