Lemon Herb Tahini
Bursting with vibrant citrus notes and fresh, herby undertones, lemon herb tahini is here to bring your dishes to life! It features lemon juice and zest, runny tahini, and aromatic herbs, creating a summery flavor profile you won’t be able to resist. This versatile condiment adds a unique touch to salads, sandwiches, roasted veggies, and more.
๐ Why youโll love this recipe
- Quick & easy: You’ll only need about 5 minutes and a blender to whip up this sauce. Just throw everything in and hit start!
- Versatile: You can use this lemon herb tahini sauce for just about anything, from salads and wraps to grilled and roasted vegetables.
- Healthy: This lemon herb tahini dressing is packed with healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants, meaning it’s a condiment you can feel good about!
- Adjustable: You can easily adjust the consistency to your liking, from a thicker dip to a more pourable dressing.
If you love sauces and dressings with a punch, you should also check out our lemon tahini dressing, creamy balsamic dressing, baba ganoush, and toum.
๐ค But first, what is tahini?
Tahini makes up the base of this sauce, so itโs important to understand what weโre working with here! Itโs a seed butter thatโs made by grinding whole sesame seeds until they are smooth and creamy โ just like peanut butter.
The taste is very distinctly nutty, sweet, and mildly bitter. Some brands are sweeter, less bitter, and creamier than others, so you need to know what to look for. The most important thing is to source a quality brand made with 100% sesame seeds.
We always recommend looking for your tahini at Mediterranean or Middle Eastern markets, but you can also check in the international foods aisle of most large grocery stores.
As a general rule of thumb, steer clear of tahini jars that look stiff and grainy. It should be easily pourable coming out of the container.
๐ What is lemon herb tahini?
This lemon herb tahini dressing is a spinoff of our original lemon tahini dressing! It showcases fresh herbs, like parsley and cilantro, lemon juice and zest for good measure, and lusciously creamy tahini.
The slightly nutty, rich tahini base is perfectly complemented by the zesty lemon and aromatic herbs. The result is a velvety sauce with a vibrant green color and an absolutely irresistible flavor profile!
You can use your lemon herb tahini sauce as a dip, dressing, or accompaniment to dishes like falafel and kofte. Alternatively, try it drizzled over salads, spread on sandwiches, or as part of a mezze platter.
๐ฑ Is lemon herb tahini vegan?
Absolutely! Most tahini dressings achieve their creaminess from tahini alone, including this lemon herb tahini sauce recipe.
There is no need for dairy or egg products to make a rich and satisfying sauce. Plus, you also have the added benefit of plant-based protein from the sesame seeds!
๐ Ingredients & substitutions
- Lemon juice & zest: For that perfect citrusy element, we suggest using freshly squeezed lemon juice and freshly grated zest. Make sure you thoroughly wash your lemons before zesting them. If lemons are not available, you can try limes instead.
- Tahini: Makes up the base of the sauce and adds creaminess. We recommend brands like ARZ Fine Foods, Soom, Tamam, Alkanatar, Baronโs, and Okka.
- Garlic: For a bit of a savory punch! If you’re not a fan of garlic, feel free to omit it.
- Fresh herbs: We love the combination of parsley and cilantro, but you can play around with different blends. Try herbs like dill or basil for a refreshing flavor.
- Salt & pepper: For the seasoning, we like to keep it simple with just salt and pepper. You can experiment with other seasonings like coriander, cumin, sumac, dukkah, or zaโatar.
- Water: This helps to adjust the consistency of the sauce. Add more or less depending on your preference.
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.
๐ How to make lemon herb tahini
Step 1: Prep your lemons
Start by thoroughly washing and zesting your lemons, then squeeze out the juice from both into a blender or food processor. Double-check to make sure no pesky seeds have found their way in!
Step 2: Add the rest
Next, add the tahini, garlic, and herbs. Add your seasonings and a bit of water to start. Remember, itโs easier to add water rather than take it away.
Step 3: Blend the sauce
Blend everything together, adding more water as needed until you reach your desired consistency. Don’t forget to taste and adjust the seasonings as you go!
If you have questions about this lemon herb tahini dressing recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!
๐ฅ How to use lemon herb tahini
This versatile sauce can dress up just about any dish! Try using your lemon herb tahini in some of these ways:
- Drizzled over a fresh salad or pasta salad
- As a dipping sauce for falafel, lentil patties, or veggies
- Spread onto a hearty sandwich with homemade bread
- As a flavorful sauce for air fryer green beans or air fryer zucchini
- As a marinade for tofu or tempeh
๐ก๏ธ Storage
If you have leftover lemon herb tahini sauce or prefer to make a double batch, just follow these simple storage tips:ย
- Fridge: Keep the sauce in an airtight container (like a mason jar) for up to a week in the refrigerator. Just note that it thickens the longer it sits in the fridge, so you may need to add a touch of water before using it again.
- Freezer: You can freeze your lemon herb tahini for up to one month in ice cube trays. Once they’re frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw a few cubes in the fridge overnight when you need more.
โป๏ธ Variations
- Spicy: Add a pinch of chili flakes, cayenne pepper, harissa, or hot sauce.
- Switch the herbs: Use fresh dill or basil instead of parsley and cilantro.
- Add yogurt: For a creamier, tangier version, add some coconut yogurt.
- Sweeter: A dash of maple syrup or agave can balance out the tang.
- Greek: Add some fresh oregano and serve it with grilled vegetables for a Greek-inspired version.
- Roasted garlic: For a deeper, mellow flavor, use roasted garlic instead.
- Add mint: Fresh mint can add an extra refreshing note, especially in the summer.
๐งโ๐ณ Top tips
- Use fresh lemons: Fresh lemons provide the best flavor and zest, so this is something you donโt want to skimp on.
- Choose runny tahini: Runny tahini will make your sauce smoother and thinner. Look for Middle Eastern brands, or at least avoid those that look super grainy.
- Use a high-speed blender: A high-speed blender will give you better control over the consistency of your sauce, making it great for all applications.
- Go slow with the water: Add water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency. You donโt want to add too much at the start in case it becomes too thin.
- Taste and adjust: Don’t forget to taste your tahini and adjust the seasonings to your liking. You can add more seasonings in addition to salt and pepper!
๐ฌ FAQ
Tahini comes in all different forms, some thick, and some thin. If you end up with a thicker tahini, just add more water to it until it reaches your desired consistency.
Since herbs are the main source of the flavor in this recipe, we really donโt recommend using dried herbs. However, if thatโs all you have access to, feel free to use them. Just realize that the flavor wonโt be quite as intended.ย
If your sauce is too runny, you can just add more tahini to it until it reaches your desired consistency.
Absolutely! You can use a whisk to combine your ingredients. Just ensure the garlic and herbs are finely minced before mixing everything in a bowl.
For the smoothest possible sauce, you have to use a high-speed blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec.
Some brands of tahini can be bitter. Taste your tahini before using it in the recipe and if it’s too bitter, consider switching brands.
๐ดMore sauce recipes
If you loved this lemon herb tahini dressing recipe, youโll have to check out some of our other popular sauce recipes like these:
- Mexican Adobo Sauce: All-purpose marinade featuring chiles, spices, and vinegar.
- Vegan Pesto: A bright, creamy, and umami-rich sauce without the added dairy.
- Vegan Tzatziki: A 10-minute sauce thatโs ultra-creamy and refreshing.
- Vegan Teriyaki Sauce: Simple, sweet, and sticky sauce great for stir-fries and more!
5-Minute Lemon Herb Tahini
Equipment
- High-speed blender
- Microplane
- Spatula
- Mason jar
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 2 large lemons (juiced)
- 1 cup raw tahini (runny is best)
- 3 cloves garlic
- ยฝ cup of fresh parsley (packed)
- ยฝ cup of fresh cilantro (packed)
- ยฝ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ยฝ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- ยฝ – 1 cup of water (we used ยพ cup)
Instructions
- Zest the lemon, then squeeze the lemon juice directly into a high-speed blender or food processor, making sure you remove any seeds.
- Add the tahini, garlic, parsley, and cilantro. Add the salt and black pepper, and ยฝ cup of water to start.
- Pulse or blend the ingredients until well combined. The mixture will be quite thick at this point. Add more water 2-3 tablespoons at a time until it reaches a thick but pourable consistency (for reference, we used ยพ cup total).
- Once you’re happy with the consistency, give your lemon herb tahini a taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
- Transfer it to a mason jar for storage. Use it as a dressing for salads, a sauce for falafel, a dip for veggies, or a spread for sandwiches. Happy eating!
Notes
- Use fresh lemons: Fresh lemons provide the best flavor and zest, so this is something you donโt want to skimp on.
- Choose runny tahini: Runny tahini will make your sauce smoother and thinner. Look for Middle Eastern brands, or at least avoid those that look super grainy.
- Use a high-speed blender: A high-speed blender will give you better control over the consistency of your sauce, making it great for all applications.
- Go slow with the water: Add water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency. You donโt want to add too much at the start in case it becomes too thin.
- Taste and adjust: Don’t forget to taste your tahini and adjust the seasonings to your liking. You can add more seasonings in addition to salt and pepper!
- Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.
Nutrition
Justine Drosdovech is a food writer, photographer, and one of the founders of Broke Bank Vegan. She is a self-taught plant-based chef but uses her healthcare background to craft dishes that are both delicious and nourishing.