Tahini sauce is a traditional Middle Eastern sauce that is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Tahini has similar notes to peanut or other kinds of nut butter, and it is rich, fatty, and creamy.
Usually, tahini is made up of a base of sesame seeds. The seeds are lightly toasted before being ground up into a fine paste. Then, water or oil is added to slightly thin the sauce and make it easier to use. Many people love to add garlic, lemon, dried mint, or other additives to their tahini recipe.
If you love tahini sauce but don’t know how to use it, here are 10 creative ways you can use tahini sauce in your cooking.
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A Dip for Veggies
One of the easiest and healthiest ways to use tahini sauce is as a dip for raw vegetables. Many people dip raw vegetables in hummus. As an alternative, try dipping your veggies in tahini!
Simply cut up some carrots, broccoli, celery, or any other vegetable that you would like and dip them into luscious tahini sauce for a tasty and healthy treat.
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Use it to make Hummus
One of the best parts about tahini is that it is used as a base for many other sauces. Combining tahini sauce with chickpeas, olive oil, and spices can create delicious and delicate hummus. Hummus is great for dipping all kinds of things into.
For even more flair, try adding some roasted red peppers or roasted garlic to your tahini-hummus mix for a new flavor combination.
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Use it on Toast
Tahini is actually amazing to spread on toast. Because it tastes kind of like peanut butter, many people love putting tahini on toast for a tasty breakfast treat. Whole wheat bread usually works best for spreading tahini. If you don’t want just tahini and toast, try adding some honey, agave, or even a little maple syrup to make a delicious breakfast creation.
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A Delightful Addition to Falafel Pitas
One of the more traditional uses of tahini sauce is as a condiment on top of pita sandwiches full of falafel. Tahini’s creamy nature means that it is the perfect addition to any pita sandwich. For this preparation, try thinning your tahini out with a little water and lemon juice to make it into more of a drizzle-able sauce.
Falafel is a delicious vegetarian-friendly option for non-meat eaters. Simply take your falafel and place it in a warmed pita, with tahini drizzled on top. You can add in some tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and sumac for even more flavor.
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Tahini Salad Dressing
One of the most popular uses of tahini is in salad dressing! The creamy sesame flavor of tahini is a delicious addition to many salad recipes. This is a welcome break from the traditional balsamic dressing.
To make a tahini dressing, simply combine tahini with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and ginger. Blend this together and drizzle over your favorite salad mixture!
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Adding Unique Flavor to Kebabs
In the Middle East, tahini is often served drizzled on top of succulent kebabs. For this preparation, thin your tahini out a little bit with some water so that it is easier to drizzle.
Beyond just kebabs, tahini can be great on other cooked meats like grilled steak, chicken, and lamb. You can try combining your tahini with a little bit of lemon juice, sumac, and smoked paprika before drizzling it on kebabs for even more flavor.
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Use Tahini Instead of Peanut Butter
Many people compare tahini’s texture and flavor to that of peanut butter. So, you can try using tahini as a substitute for peanut butter! This is perfect for those with nut allergies because tahini is made from sesame seeds instead of nuts. If you are using peanut butter as a thickener for certain soups or sauces, try substituting with tahini instead.
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Make Baba Ghanoush
Tahini is an integral part of another Middle Eastern favorite, baba ganoush! Baba ghanoush is a delightful savory eggplant dip that will leave your guests stunned. Usually, baba ghanoush is served as an appetizer along with pita bread or flatbread for dipping.
Using tahini in baba ganoush helps give the eggplant dip lots of body and texture. If you don’t feel like making eggplant dip, try putting tahini sauce on top of roasted eggplant for a similar flavor profile.
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Use Tahini in Marinades
Tahini can make a lovely addition to lots of marinades. If you’ve ever had sesame chicken, try using tahini instead of whole sesame seeds for a Middle Eastern twist.
Chicken is especially suited to be marinated in tahini. Try marinating chicken breasts or thighs in a mixture of tahini, lemon, olive oil, and spices of your choice. This will produce a rich and nutty protein that is sure to be popular with many diners.
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Put Tahini on Eggs
Putting tahini on eggs is one of the most underrated uses of tahini. Because of its rich and nutty flavor, tahini actually pairs perfectly with eggs in the morning. This may sound like a strange combination of flavors, but it is definitely worth a try!
Try adding tahini onto scrambled, poached, or over-easy eggs. Beforehand, thin your tahini out with a little water, so it is easier to drizzle on top of eggs.
One sauce; multiple uses.
Tahini sauce is a versatile dish that can be used in multiple ways. So, if you haven’t tried out any of these tips yet; go ahead and try it out. I’m sure it will leave you stunned with its amazing flavor profile. Do you know any more uses of tahini sauce? Do drop us a comment to let us know so that all of us can try it out.
Author Bio:
Hi, I’m Rana and I blog at ranasrecipe.com. My passion for food began very early in my life. And after managing a cafe, a granola business and helping other food businesses scale up, I found my true calling in creating wonderful recipes so that everyone can enjoy cooking as much as I do!
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