BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion
Tahini lemon sauce served with pita and grilled vegetables
Refreshing and delicious Lebanese tahini lemon sauce

Lemon Tahini Sauce (Tarator)

Author: Flavelo
Sauces and Gravies Recipes Vegetarian & Vegan Dishes
Making tahini sauce (tarator) is a bit of kitchen magic. When sesame paste meets lemon juice, the mixture initially seizes up and thickens surprisingly, then transforms into a silky, creamy white sauce upon adding water. This technical transformation gives the sauce its signature texture, reminiscent of heavy cream, without using any dairy.
🕒 Prep Time 15 mins
⌛ Total Time 15 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 195 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Middle Eastern

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Medium mixing bowl (for easy whisking)
  • Whisk (for emulsion)
  • Garlic press or fine grater
  • Citrus juicer

Allergen Information

⚠️ Sesame

Instructions

1 ✓

Grate the garlic as finely as possible, or mash it into a paste with a pinch of salt.

Tip: Salt helps break down garlic fibers, creating a paste that disappears into the silky sauce.
2 ✓

Pour the tahini into a bowl. If the oil has separated in the jar, stir it thoroughly before measuring.

Tip: Tahini tends to settle; mixing is crucial to maintain recipe ratios.
3 ✓

Add the lemon juice and garlic paste to the tahini. Start whisking. The mass will suddenly seize up, thicken, and look lumpy—this is expected!

Tip: The acid coagulates proteins and 'binds' the liquid. Don't give up; this is part of the process.
4 ✓

Gradually add cold water, a tablespoon at a time, while whisking vigorously.

Tip: Cold water helps stabilize the emulsion, turning the sauce white and light.
5 ✓

Keep adding water until the sauce reaches the consistency of heavy cream and turns almost white.

Tip: Final consistency is a matter of taste: keep it thicker for dipping, thinner for dressing.
6 ✓

Taste and salt generously. Sesame and lemon absorb a lot of salt.

Tip: Salt is essential to pop the nutty sesame flavor.
7 ✓

Drizzle with olive oil when serving.

Tip: Oil on top prevents skin formation and adds freshness.

Recipe FAQ

Why did the tahini turn into concrete when I added lemon?
Don't panic, this is natural! Sesame oil and acid react this way. Keep adding water, and it will whiten and cream out beautifully.
It's too thin, what do I do?
Add another spoonful of tahini and whisk smooth.
How long does it last?
3-4 days in a sealed jar in the fridge. If it thickens in the cold, loosen with a drop of water.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Tahini (sesame paste, stirred)
  • 3 tbsp Fresh lemon juice (approx 1 lemon)
  • 1/4 cup Cold water (plus more as needed)
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil (for garnish)