Why is my tahini not creamy?

Use a high-powered blender . Food processors are great, but they're just not as powerful as blenders, so can't deliver the creaminess (without double or triple the oil) that makes for the best tahini.

How do you make tahini sauce not bitter?

If it is too bitter, stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey . And if the flavor is too sharp, mellow it with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon olive oil.

Why is my tahini sauce not smooth?

The key to smooth and runny tahini is to give it time , so keep blending. Transfer to a container and enjoy!

Does lemon juice thicken tahini?

The acid in the lemon juice causes a very runny tahini sauce to thicken up and become stiff and solid .

What thickens tahini?

But tahini has a thin consistency, which means that it won't stay put on the moist, slick surface of a fish fillet. To thicken the tahini and give it some holding power, the solution is a bit surprising: We stirred in 2 teaspoons of juice . You'd think that adding a liquid would thin tahini rather than thicken it.

What does bad tahini taste like?

Wondering what rancid tahini tastes like? Not great. The good news is that you'll definitely know if tahini has expired. The taste will be sour, kind of metallic, and just plain weird .

How can you tell if tahini is rancid?

It will have a noticeable, sharp rancid smell .

Why does my homemade tahini taste bitter?

Bitterness is generally part and parcel of tahini - it's how ground sesame seeds taste. What you will find, however, is that some tahini can taste more bitter than others. This is down to a few things; like how that particular tahini is processed, or the levels of something called oxalic acid in the hulls of the seeds .

Do you stir tahini before using?

Tahini has a long shelf life (2+ years) and can be stored like other nut and seed butters, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Always stir before using to incorporate any solids that have accumulated on the bottom .

Should you stir tahini?

Once you get your jar of tahini home, you want to open it up and give it a stir to make sure it's incorporated . (If the oil has fully separated, such as in the photo above, Food editor Joe Yonan uses an immersion blender to reincorporate it, after which he says it stays emulsified.)

Why did my tahini sauce break?

It's perfectly natural for the oil in tahini to separate out in the jar. In fact, if it doesn't, it's a sign that a chemical emulsifier has been added to it , so avoid that brand in the future. Just stick a spoon in and give it a good stir and it will be ready to use.

Why is tahini so hard to stir?

With just a shake, the nutty condiment is ready to be squeezed onto whatever my heart desires, without so much as a hint of streaky separation. Because tahini is made purely from sesame seeds, which have a high oil content, even the highest quality brands will separate over time.

Why is my tahini sauce clumping?

The tahini may thicken up/clump when it's combined with lemon juice or the first bit of water . Don't worry, this is normal and will be fixed with more water. Gradually add the water, continuing to whisk until the dressing is smooth and creamy.

What does bad tahini look like?

Your tahini has expired if it has an unpleasant taste and smell. Additionally, if you see obvious signs of spoilage like a change in color and visible mold growth , it's time to toss the jar of tahini.

Does tahini thicken in the fridge?

We recommend storing your tahini in a cool and dry area, away from heat and moisture. Ideally, a pantry a cabinet would be ideal. Like peanut butter, you can also store tahini in the refrigerator if you like it thicker .

The BEST Creamy Tahini Sauce Recipe | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

Did I self-proclaim the nickname #TahiniQueenie a few years ago? Yes, yes I did.

Why you ask? Because after a trip to Israel where we ate a good amount tahini-based dips and dishes, I couldn’t stop cooking and baking with tahini. If you haven’t tried my favorite recipes using tahini yet, here’s a list to get you started.

Lately, I can’t stop drizzling and dipping things in this easy-to-make, basic tahini sauce. It’s nut free, and perfect to drizzle over roasted sweet potatoes, carrots or cauliflower or to spoon over a quick buddha bowl or salad. Creamy, quick to make, earthy and ridiculously addicting — I hope you give it a try!

What is tahini?

Tahini is simply ground sesame seeds and it’s very similar to how peanut butter or almond butter is made. Good tahini is creamy, mild, nutty, toasty and spoonable. It should not be overly bitter, thick or pasty. My favorite brand of tahini is bySoom (plus it’s female-owned!).

Ingredients in basic tahini sauce

You’ll only need a handful of super simple ingredients to make this incredible tahini sauce. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Tahini: you’ll want to use a natural tahini that’s just ground sesame seeds. More info on tahini and my favorite brand below! It’s a nut-free option to using nut butter that’s creamy, mild and toasty. Great for adding your favorite flavors like in this easy sauce. Use the code ‘ambitiouskitchen’ to get 10% off my favorite brand, Soom!
Garlic: for a punch of delicious flavor.
Lemon juice: a little lemon juice adds the perfect acidity to this tahini sauce recipe.
Water: you’ll want to add a bit of water, just a small amount at a time, to thin out the sauce to your liking.
Salt & pepper: to bring all of the flavors together.
Optional add-ins: dijon mustard for a slightly tangy flavor and pure maple syrup for a little sweetness to pair with the nutty tahini and zippy lemon juice.

How to make creamy tahini sauce

A one-step, one-bowl recipe? Yes, please:

In a small bowl mix together tahini, garlic, lemon juice, water and salt until well combined and creamy. Add maple syrup if you’d like it to be a little sweeter or dijon mustard if you want some tang. Drizzle over whatever your heart desires.

Customize your sauce

Feel free to get a little creative with your tahini sauce. Here are a few suggestions:

Get herby. Blend it up with cilantro, parsley, basil or even mint for an herby dip or dressing.
Go earthy. Add 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric for an earthy yummy yellow dressing or dip.
Add protein. Stir in 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt for a creamy, protein packed dressing.

Ways to use this tahini sauce

Not only will you fall in love with this easy, creamy tahini sauce, but you’ll also be obsessed with all of the ways you can use it. Here’s what I suggest:

As a dip. It’s the perfect dip for yummy sweet potato fries, raw veggies or even chicken nuggets.
As a topping. Spoon it onto your favorite burgers like this one or this one, or on your go-to sandwiches.
As a dressing. Use it as a salad dressing like this salad for creamy, delicious flavor.
As a drizzle. Drizzle it on roasted or grilled veggies for a wonderfully savory side dish.

How to store homemade tahini sauce

Store this creamy vegan tahini sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If the sauce appears too thick for your liking when you take it out of the fridge, simply add a bit of water and mix it well.

More sauces, dips & dressings

Spicy Green Cashew Dip
Creamy Tahini Poppy Seed Dressing
Our Favorite Homemade Tomato Sauce (using fresh tomatoes!)
Sunshine Dressing
Jalapeño Cashew Cream Sauce

Get all of my sauces recipes here!

I hope you love this delicious basic tahini sauce recipe and find some fun, creative ways to use it! If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and rate the recipe below so others know how you liked it! Thank you for your readership! xo.

The BEST Creamy Tahini Sauce Recipe | Ambitious Kitchen (5)

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