Incredible Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce Recipe (v + gf) - simplyceecee.co (2024)

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Sweet and spicy tahini sauce is the bigger, bolder, epic big sister of classic tahini sauce and cousin to gorgeous spicy green tahini sauce! Easy to make, still dairy-free, gluten-free and oil-free, this flavour combination is the bomb. We drizzle this luscious, creamy tahini sauce on everything!

Incredible Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce Recipe (v + gf) - simplyceecee.co (1)

Think delicious everyday tahini sauce, but with gold dust sprinkled on top. This sweet and spicy tahini is that! It's the crowning glory that is delicious as a sauce on falafels or shawarma, fajita or fritters, and a yummy dairy-free condiment slathered on sandwiches and burgers.

Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce Ingredients

So easy to make and makes everything 1000% more delicious!
Here's what you'll need . . .

Incredible Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce Recipe (v + gf) - simplyceecee.co (2)
  • tahini paste - star and foundation of this sauce. Adds creaminess and flavour without dairy (affiliate link)
  • garlic - strong pungent flavour; use freshly grated or minced.
  • lemon - adds brightness and a hint of sourness; freshly squeezed is best!
  • tamari - salty umami flavour or use soy sauce (affiliate link)
  • maple syrup - touch of sweetness to balance all the flavours
  • sriracha sauce - we go through a bottle of this a month! (affiliate link)

Let's Make Tahini Sauce - sweet and spicy version!

A basic, everyday, easy tahini sauce is made with sesame seed paste mixed with garlic, salt, and lemon juice - super creamy, smooth and luscious, right? But I needed something 'extra' for my succulent vegan shawarma stuffed into a warm pita bread to make it epic (have you tried it yet?)!

Just as simple to make, but with a slightly sweet and spicy flavour profile, this red tahini sauce combo is dang delicious and

somewhat

extremely addictive. Plus it's ready in minutes!

Simply whisk everything together in a dish. Taste and adjust quantities to suit your personal preference; tanginess, garlic, sweet, spicy, salt, heat.

Incredible Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce Recipe (v + gf) - simplyceecee.co (3)
Incredible Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce Recipe (v + gf) - simplyceecee.co (4)

Ingredient Spotlight - What is Tahini Paste?

Tahini Paste- tahini (or tahina) is simply sesame seeds ground into paste. It's made with toasted or raw sesame seeds.

Tahini has a very nutty, earthy, slightly bitter taste. It has a high fat content and an oily texture like peanut butter.

Incredible Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce Recipe (v + gf) - simplyceecee.co (5)

A popular condiment in Mediterranean recipes, tahini paste is widely used in cooking and baking. It's a rich and creamy, dairy-free, gluten-free essential ingredient in vegan kitchens. For example, use it in hummus recipes, to add richness and creaminess to salad dressings, vegan sauces, drizzles, dips and so much more.

Where do I find Tahini Paste? Find tahini paste in the peanut butter aisle or check the health food or International aisles at the grocery store. Sold in jars or plastic tub. Or if you prefer order online (affiliate link).

How do I store tahini paste? tahini paste is ground seeds and just like peanut butter, the solids separate from the oil so give it a good stir to bring it back together before using. Refrigerate the tahini after opening so it doesn't turn rancid (be sure to check the best before date).

What's the best tahini paste to use? For this recipe, choose a tahini paste that is runny and tastes good (not too bitter). Here are some popular, easy to find brands:Soom, Whole Foods 365 Brand, and Trader Joe's (affiliate link).

Storing Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce

This sauce keeps for a week or two in the fridge (mine never lasts that long tho). It thickens up in the fridge so just stir in a teaspoonful of water at a time until the desired consistency is met.

Uses for Tahini Sauce

This yummy sweet and spicy tahini sauce is perfect drizzled on everything. If you love sauces as much as we do, check out these popular vegan sauces for more incredible dairy-free, oil-free dressings to spruce up your vegan salad bowls, Buddha bowls, tacos, and so much more . . .

Incredible Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce Recipe (v + gf) - simplyceecee.co (6)
  • easy vegan tofu taco bowl - easy, scrumptious, family favorite '8 days' a week!
  • mediterranean platter with baked falafel, pita bread or flatbread, olives, hummus, and pico
  • vegetarian dagwood sandwich or burgers - no mayo required!
  • roasted veggies - makes extra, they are irresistible with sweet and spicy tahini drizzled on top!
  • vegan shawarma with spicy tahini sauce - this epic vegan shawarma is beloved - vegan or not!
  • baked stuffed potato - easy, nutritious, weekly meal in the cooler months!
  • brussels sprouts - will turn everyone into a brussel sprout lover
  • veggies and dip - try the white, green or red tahini for dipping!
  • fancy rainbow salad (thin out w/ lemon juice/water for pourable consistency)
  • delicious and nutritious chickpea pancakes - so easy to make and incredibly versatile!

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Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce

This tahini sauce is perfectly sweet and spicy. Totally dairy free and completely addictive, you'll want to smother it on everything! Easy to make plus oil-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, a drizzle of this sauce makes everything 1000% better! Trust me.

Author : Tracy Halasz

Servings:4 servings

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

INGREDIENTS

  • ¼ cup tahini
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1-2 cloves garlic
  • 1-2 tsp tamari
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1+ tbsp sriracha

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Place all ingredients into a small bowl and whisk together.

  • Taste for flavours and adjust as desired. Add a teaspoonful of water at a time to thin out the sauce and make it more pourable.

  • Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. The tahini sauce will thicken in the fridge. Add a teaspoonful of water to thin out the sauce after it has been in the fridge.

NOTES

  • Depending on how much lemon you use, how thick your tahini paste is, and what you are using your sauce for (condiment dip or drizzle), you may need to add a teaspoonful or more of water to thin out.
  • Find tahini paste in the International aisle, 'natural' aisle or peanut butter aisle in most grocery stores. Stir well to incorporate oil before using. Store in fridge after opening.
  • STORAGE - the sauce stores well in the fridge in an airtight container all week.
    It will thicken in the fridge.

This recipe is from simplyceecee.co food blog. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or republish this recipe without prior permission. Thank you.

Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @ceeceecooks or tag #ceeceecooks

Originally posted October 2019 - updated photos, tips, and techniques in June 2021.

Incredible Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce Recipe (v + gf) - simplyceecee.co (2024)

FAQs

Why does tahini seize with lemon juice? ›

Tahini is simply sesame-seed butter, made by grinding hulled sesame seeds into a paste. Much of its makeup is carbohydrates, and when a small amount of juice (or any water-containing liquid) is added to tahini, a portion of each carbohydrate molecule is drawn to the water.

Does tahini sauce have gluten? ›

Tahini. Tahini, which is a paste made from ground sesame seeds, is typically gluten-free. Sesame seeds themselves do not contain gluten, so pure tahini made solely from sesame seeds and oil should not contain any gluten.

Why is my tahini not creamy? ›

Use a high-powered blender.

Like my favorite Vitamix. 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.

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!

Why does tahini go bad? ›

How long does Soom Tahini last after opening? Soom Tahini can last for a year after opening. The only thing that will make tahini “turn” is contamination with moisture. That's why we always stress using a clean, dry utensil when scooping that liquid gold from the jar.

What cuts the bitterness of tahini? ›

If your tahini is dry, or if you prefer a thinner sauce, add more water, as needed, to reach your desired consistency. Then, taste and adjust your seasonings. If you prefer a brighter sauce, add more lemon. If it is too bitter, stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey.

Who should not eat tahini? ›

If you're allergic to sesame seeds, you shouldn't eat tahini. If you don't know whether you're allergic, pay attention to what your body does after you eat it.

What can be substituted for tahini sauce? ›

Our Best Tahini Substitutes
  1. Cashew Butter. Of all the nut butters, cashew butter is your best bet for replacing tahini, (FWIW: we do love almond butter, too). ...
  2. Sunflower Butter. If you have sunflower seed butter in your pantry, grab it! ...
  3. Sesame Oil. ...
  4. Greek Yogurt. ...
  5. Homemade Tahini.
Aug 30, 2022

Is tahini an inflammatory food? ›

It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and its health benefits may include reducing risk factors for heart disease and protecting brain health. It's also very easy to make at home using only two ingredients. Overall, tahini is a simple, healthy, and flavorful addition to your diet.

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.

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 does lemon juice make tahini thicken? ›

This technique also has a cool chemical reaction in it: the interaction between the tahini and the lemon juice. The acid in the lemon juice causes a very runny tahini sauce to thicken up and become stiff and solid.

Does Trader Joe's sell tahini sauce? ›

Trader Joe's Organic Tahini provides the perfect balance in this recipe, and allows it to transcend seasons-drizzle it atop roasted broccoli salad in the winter, or on grilled chicken & spinach salad during the warm summer months.

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.

How to keep tahini from seizing? ›

The sauce will lighten in color and seize up as you whisk. When the tahini seizes up or tightens, keep adding the water, bit by bit (about 1/2 cup total), until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and thick.

How to keep tahini from curdling? ›

Kitchen Tip ~ Tahini How to keep Tahini from separating: Simply store your tahini jar upside down. The oil that accumulates at the top of the jar will slowly work its way to the bottom, redistributing throughout and leaving you with smooth, creamy tahini. Shake well before use.

Why does my tahini curdle? ›

Because tahini is made purely from sesame seeds, which have a high oil content, even the highest quality brands will separate over time.

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