This Harissa Tahini Sauce is a flavorful vegan and dairy free dip or dressing! It's made with harissa powder, za'atar, garlic and lemon juice.
This Tahini Sauce is a super versatile recipe that works as a dip for vegetables, a dressing for salads, or a sauce drizzled onto grilled or roasted veggies and meats.
The one thing that seems to be able to turn a good dish into a great one is a flavorful sauce. A tasty sauce drizzled over your favorite dish can really bump up the flavor. A good sauce doesn't have to be heavy and laden with calories. It can be prepared with healthy ingredients and still be delicious.
This tahini sauce is made with a few simple ingredients that are healthy, but satisfying. It's naturally vegan, dairy free, and gluten free and overall incredibly versatile.
It can be enjoyed as an appetizer dip for raw vegetables or a crudité platter, a dressing for salads, or drizzled onto anything from roasted or grilled vegetables, grilled chicken or lamb, or falafel.
This sauce is made with tahini paste, garlic and onion powder, lemon juice, and Middle Eastern spices like harissa and za'atar. It's flavor is a little spicy, tangy, and savory and keeps you coming back for more.
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What Is Tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from toasted, hulled sesame seeds. The seeds are blended until smooth, along with some oil until the mixture forms a paste.
It's used extensively in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines and often found in popular dishes like hummus and baba ghanoush.
Tahini has a savory, nutty, earthy flavor, and slightly bitter flavor. It's texture is thick and somewhere between a paste and a sauce. Adding liquid such as water or lemon juice to tahini thins it out and makes it pourable and spreadable.
The great thing about tahini is that it pairs nicely with any variety of flavors. It's perfect with savory ingredients like spices, herbs, and sometimes is even added to desserts to balance out the sweetness.
Tahini paste may be found in the ethnic aisle, natural foods section, or along with the peanut butter or other nut butters of your local grocery store or purchased online.
Tahini is naturally gluten free, but it's best to check the label, as each brand can vary.
Ingredients For Harissa Tahini Sauce
Here's what you'll need to make it.
- ½ cup Tahini
- ¼ cup Water
- ¼ cup Lemon Juice (equals 2-3 lemons)
- ¼ tsp. Garlic Powder
- ¼ tsp. Onion Powder
- 1 ½ - ¾ tsp. Harissa Seasoning
- ¾ tsp. Za'atar Seasoning
- ¼ - ½ tsp. Kosher Salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp. Pepper
What Is Harissa?
Harissa is a North African spice blend that's a little spicy, smoky, and peppery. It's made with hot chili peppers along with aromatic herbs and spices such as garlic, paprika, coriander, and cumin.
It can be used as a powder or seasoning or as a paste. As a powder, harissa can be used as a rub for meats like chicken, beef, lamb, or fish. If used as a paste, harissa can be added to marinades, dressings, soups, or stews for added spice.
This recipe calls for harissa powder or seasoning, which can be found in the spice aisle of your local grocery store, food coop, or specialty food store. If you are unable to find it at a store, harissa seasoning may be purchased online.
Harissa is a spice blend and each brand varies in terms of ingredients and spice level. Feel free to try out a few different brands and find which one works best for you.
I purchased a bag of harissa seasoning from World Market and love the flavor.
What Is Za'atar?
Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend that's tangy, herbaceous, and earthy. It's made with spices such as sumac, thyme, oregano, and sesame seeds. I love the the spiciness of the harissa paired with the tanginess of the za'atar in this Harissa Tahini Sauce.
It's also incredibly versatile in how it's used. Za'atar can be sprinkled on top of roasted or grilled meats or vegetables, added to dressings and sauces, or used as a topping for pizza or flatbreads.
Just like harissa, za'atar is a spice blend and each brand is likely to vary in terms of ingredients. Simply try out a few different brands and see which one you like best.
It can be purchased in the spice aisle of your local grocery store, food coop, or specialty food store. If unable to find za'atar in-store, it may be purchased online.
The za'atar seasoning used in this recipe was purchased from World Market.
How To Make Harissa Tahini Sauce
This sauce is super easy to make and doesn't require any special equipment.
All of the ingredients are added to a small bowl and mixed until completely combined with a small whisk.
Before making the sauce, stir the jar of tahini in case the oil has separated. Just like natural peanut butter, the oil may separate and rise to the top of the jar. Simply stir the tahini vigorously until it is incorporated.
- Pour ½ cup of tahini into a small mixing bowl.
- Squeeze 2 large lemons into a glass measuring cup until you have ¼ cup lemon juice (remove any seeds and discard).
- Add ¼ cup each of water and lemon juice to the tahini. Stir until completely incorporated using a small whisk or fork. The mixture will look clumpy and separated at first. Simply continue to whisk until it is smooth and incorporated.
- Add 1 ½ tsp. harissa seasoning, ¾ tsp. za'atar seasoning, and ¼ tsp. each of garlic powder and onion powder along with ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper.
- Stir all of the spices into the tahini sauce until completely incorporated.
- Taste the tahini sauce and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Feel free to add more harissa if you prefer a spicier sauce or more kosher salt if needed. Add more water or lemon juice if the sauce seems too thick.
What Is The Consistency Of Tahini Sauce?
Once the sauce is completely combined, it should be thick and pourable. It should be creamy and easily drizzled with a spoon.
As mentioned, if the sauce seems too thick, simply add a bit more water and stir until combined.
This tahini sauce should be slightly spicy, smoky, earthy, and tangy. Feel free to add more harissa if you prefer a spicier sauce. If the sauce is too spicy, add a bit of honey or maple syrup to balance it out.
What To Serve With Harissa Tahini Sauce
As mentioned, this sauce is incredibly versatile and can be utilized in many ways.
It works as a healthy appetizer dip served on a crudité platter with veggies like carrots, bell peppers, radishes, or cucumbers. Crostini or any toasted bread or pita bread is also great dipped into this sauce.
Tahini sauce adds lots of flavor to roasted vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes, or green beans. It's delicious drizzled on top of this summer roasted vegetable salad.
It's also perfect poured on top of roasted or grilled meats. I love to serve it on top of roasted chicken thighs and potatoes along with a green vegetable like asparagus.
Another way to enjoy it is to drizzle it over a grain bowl or a pita stuffed with falafel. Grilled dishes like these chicken kofta kebabs or grilled chicken or shrimp skewers are great with tahini sauce.
How Long Does This Sauce Last In The Fridge?
This sauce should last for up to a week stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
It may thicken a bit if stored in the fridge, so make sure to stir before using and add a bit of water or lemon juice to thin it out if needed.
Can It Be Frozen?
I do not recommend freezing this sauce, as it is best enjoyed right away or within a week.
If you love tahini, be sure to check out this Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce!
Love sauces? Check out these recipes!
- Cashew Cilantro Sauce
- Creamy Lemon Tarragon Sauce
- Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing
- Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Dill Pickle Tartar Sauce
Looking For More Ways To Use Tahini? Don't Miss These Recipes!
Vegan Tahini Pasta
Harissa Hummus
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Harissa Tahini Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup tahini
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup lemon juice equals 2-3 lemons
- 1 ½ tsp. harissa seasoning add more for a spicier sauce
- ¾ tsp. za'atar seasoning
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. onion powder
- ¼ tsp. kosher salt add more if needed
- ¼ tsp. pepper
Instructions
- Stir the jar of tahini sauce in case the oil has separated and risen to the top of the jar. Just like natural peanut butter, the oil can separate and must be stirred until creamy. Stir the tahini vigorously until it is smooth and creamy.
- Squeeze 2-3 lemons into a glass measuring cup until it reaches ¼ cup. Remove any seeds and discard.
- Pour ½ cup of tahini into a small mixing bowl.
- Add ¼ cup each water and lemon juice to the tahini and stir until incorporated with a small whisk. The mixture will look clumpy and separated at first. Simply continue to stir with a small whisk or fork until it is smooth and creamy.
- Add 1 ½ tsp. harissa seasoning, ¾ tsp. za'atar seasoning, and ¼ tsp. each of garlic powder and onion powder along with ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper.
- Stir all of the spices into the tahini sauce until completely incorporated.The sauce should be thick and creamy, but pourable.
- Adjust the seasoning to your liking. Feel free to add more harissa if you prefer a spicier sauce. Add more kosher salt if needed. If the sauce seems too thick, simply add a bit more water or lemon juice to thin it out.
- To Serve: Serve as a dipping sauce, dressing for salads, or drizzled onto grilled or roasted meats.
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