Tahini Sauce Recipe — Creamy Sesame Sauce for BBQ

Tahini sauce is one of the most versatile sauces for BBQ — creamy, nutty, and slightly tart. Ready in 5 minutes and perfect with Middle Eastern BBQ dishes. The combination with Shawarma chicken or pulled lamb is irresistible.

What is tahini?

Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds — similar to peanut butter but made from sesame. It has a nutty, slightly bitter taste and is the base for hummus and many Middle Eastern sauces. Available at most supermarkets and Turkish stores.

Basic recipe: Tahini sauce

Ingredients (for 4–6 people)

  • 4 tbsp tahini (stir well before use)
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 4–6 tbsp cold water (to desired consistency)
  • Pinch of cumin
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper for a light kick

Preparation

  1. Stir the tahini well in the jar — the oil and paste often separate. This is normal.
  2. Mix tahini, lemon juice, and garlic in a bowl. The sauce will first become thick and clumpy — this is normal.
  3. Add cold water, tablespoon by tablespoon, and stir well until a smooth, creamy sauce.
  4. Season with cumin, salt, and cayenne if desired.
  5. Taste and adjust — more lemon juice for freshness, more water for a thinner sauce.

Tip: Tahini sauce thickens as it cools. Make it slightly thinner than desired — it will set in the refrigerator.

Variant: Green tahini sauce

Fresher and more herbaceous — perfect as a finishing sauce over grilled meat.

Extra ingredients

  • Handful of fresh parsley or cilantro
  • Extra lemon juice

Blend everything together in a food processor until a green, creamy sauce. Spectacular over Shawarma chicken or lamb rack.

What BBQ dishes pair with tahini sauce?

  • BBQ Shawarma Chicken — the classic combination. Shawarma rub + tahini sauce is Middle Eastern at its best.
  • Shawarma Pulled Lamb — tahini cuts through the rich fat of the lamb and completes the dish.
  • Lamb on the BBQ — tahini and lamb are a classic Middle Eastern combination.
  • Chicken on the BBQ — as a dipping sauce with chicken wings and drumsticks.
  • Grilled vegetables — over grilled eggplant, zucchini, or cauliflower.
  • In a wrap or pita — with BBQ meat, grilled vegetables, and tahini sauce.
  • As a finishing sauce — a drizzle over the meat just before serving.

→ Which sauce pairs with which rub? — complete overview

Combine with the Shawarma BBQ Rub

Tahini sauce and the Shawarma BBQ Rub are the perfect Middle Eastern duo. The rub provides cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and allspice — the tahini sauce adds creaminess, nuttiness, and freshness. Use the rub for grilling, and the tahini sauce as a dipping sauce or finishing sauce afterwards.

→ Which BBQ rub pairs with which meat?

Tips

  • Quality tahini makes all the difference — choose a tahini that is 100% sesame with no additives. Cheap tahini can taste bitter.
  • Always fresh lemon juice — bottled lemon juice gives a different, less fresh taste.
  • Storage: up to 5 days covered in the refrigerator. Stir before use.
  • Too bitter? Add a teaspoon of honey to temper the bitterness.
  • Too thick? Add a splash of cold water and stir well.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between tahini sauce and hummus?

Hummus is made from chickpeas AND tahini — thicker and more filling. Tahini sauce is pure sesame with lemon juice and water — thinner and more intense in flavor. → View our hummus recipe

Is tahini sauce gluten-free?

Yes — tahini sauce is naturally gluten-free. However, check the label of your tahini — some brands process it in an environment with gluten.

Is tahini sauce vegan?

Yes — tahini sauce is 100% plant-based.

More Middle Eastern side dishes

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