The fresh, herby flavor of green tahini sauce is an absolute winner! Quick and easy, plus naturally vegan, this recipe has no added oil and a special ingredient, white balsamic, for a unique flavor twist. And it takes 15 minutes to make in the blender!
I'm a huge fan of tahini recipes like classic lemon tahini salad dressing and our favorite tahini sriracha sauce, but this green sauce is truly something special. It has a zesty, garlicky, lemony, herby flavor with a touch of white balsamic sweetness. Plus, it's a super versatile sauce. Use it as a salad dressing, dipping sauce, or for smothering baked sweet potatoes or simple roasted or air-fried veggies like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients probably have or can easily be found at the grocery store.
- Tahini, ground sesame seeds, have natural oil, so there's no need for processed olive oil.
- Green tahini sauce is a great way to use up leftover herbs.
- This delicious, multipurpose sauce can be made in minutes or ahead for quick grain bowls, stuffed pita bread, and more!
Ingredients and Notes
Tahini. Use a good quality tahini paste that isn't processed with added oil, or make your own tahini. If the tahini has added salt, wait to add more until you've blended the sauce.
Fresh herbs. I used a combination of cilantro (coriander) and parsley. You can also add fresh dill, a little basil, chives, or fresh mint, depending on what you have on hand.
White balsamic vinegar. My wild card ingredient. I love the sweet, slightly tangy flavor in everything from vegan mayonnaise to Italian pasta salad. It's also known as white balsamic condiment - they are the same thing.
Lemon juice. Use fresh or bottled. Lime juice is a good substitute, but the flavor profile will be slightly different.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
Recipe Variations
For a spicy green tahini sauce, add a small, deseeded jalapeno pepper, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a few red chili flakes.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the ingredients plus 2 tablespoons of water to a blender or small food processor.
Step 2: Blend until smooth, adding more water as needed.
Pro Tips
- Use a spatula to scrape the sides and underneath the blade of the blender or food processor.
- Slowly add water, a little at a time, blending after each addition. And taste it! You may want extra lemon juice instead of water.
Cook's Tip: Tahini dressings thicken as they sit. Stir before serving. Add a little water or lemon juice if needed.
What to Serve with Tahini Sauce
Creamy green tahini sauce is great with everything from simple salads to a green goddess dressing substitute for pasta or potato salad. Pair it with roasted veggies or chickpeas with shawarma seasoning and serve it tucked into pita pockets or over a bed of couscous and fresh greens. It's a delicious way to ramp up the flavor of rice bowls or Buddha bowls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tahini sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. It should be warmed to room temperature before serving.
Tahini sauce can be frozen in a freezer-friendly container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then let it warm to room temperature and stir before serving. It may lose a little of the vibrant color after freezing.
Plain tahini has a naturally nutty and slightly bitter flavor and can vary depending on the brand and if oil has been added to the processing. If your sauce is slightly bitter, consider adding more white balsamic vinegar or a touch of maple syrup.
Although tahini is a main ingredient in tahini sauce, if you happen to be out and don't have sesame seeds on hand to make your own, the best substitutes are sunflower seed butter or cashew butter.
The 'health' of any recipe depends on the individual ingredients. This green tahini sauce recipe is made with less tahini than other recipes and contains no added oil, so it has less fat than others. For the healthiest sauce, use tahini, which is not processed with added oil.
More Delicious Oil-Free Sauces
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👩🏻🍳 Recipe
Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan and Oil-Free)
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup tahini - see notes
- 2 cloves garlic - peeled and quartered
- ½ cup cilantro - roughly chopped
- ½ cup parsley - roughly chopped
- ¼ cup lemon juice - 1 fresh lemon
- 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar - white balsamic condiment
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2-4 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Add the ingredients plus 2 tablespoons of water to a blender or food processor.
- Start blending on a low speed, then add more water as needed until you have a creamy sauce.
- Scrape the sides and underneath the blade to pick up any large pieces of garlic or herbs.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings.
Notes
- If your tahini contains added salt, wait to add more until you blend and taste the sauce.
- Servings and nutrition are based on 2 tablespoons (¾ cup total).
- You can add any herbs you have on hand to total 1 cup. Basil, dill, chives, or mint are good options.
- Tahini sauce may thicken as it stands or after refrigerating. Stir well and add more water or lemon juice before serving.
- Store tahini sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or freeze for 3 months. Note - the sauce may lose some of the bright color after freezing.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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Denise Perrault
Thanks for reading this recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Kathleen
This is so delicious. I will be making it often. Thank you!
Denise Perrault
I'm thrilled you like it! Honestly I just made it last night for roasted cauliflower. It's one of our favorites. 🙂