Tahini Yogurt Sauce
This delectable yogurt sauce is easy to make, bursting with flavor, and remarkably versatile. With just a handful of simple ingredients and only 5 minutes of your time, you can be dipping and drizzling this tantalizing tahini yogurt sauce on all your favorite foods.
Today’s multi-purpose recipe for yogurt sauce is a simple, yet sensational sauce from the world of Mediterranean Cuisine. Rich, creamy Greek yogurt and silky smooth tahini give the sauce a satiny texture and a tangy, nutty flavor. Then, bright, lively lemon and sweet, cooling mint join the party to form a flavor profile that will tease all your tastebuds and delight your soul.
Table of Contents
Tahini yogurt sauce is rich and comforting while also being light and invigorating! For more sinfully delicious sauces from the Silk Road, check out my Lebanese Garlic Sauce, Ginger Sauce, and Sweet Chili Sauce.
- Greek Yogurt – Plain, unflavored Greek yogurt is the ideal choice for its rich creamy texture and sharp, tangy flavor. However, if you only have regular plain yogurt on hand (non-Greek) or would like to make it with dairy-free yogurt, go right ahead. The sauce may be a bit thinner and slightly less tangy, but it will still be totally delicious.
- Lemon – Brightens up the sauce with a blast of lively lemon flavor. Since we are using both the zest and the juice for this recipe, pick the best fruit possible. Look for bright yellow peels that are free of blemishes for the best zest, and pick a lemon that seems heavy for its size for the most juice.
- Mint – Invigorates the dish with a spicy-sweet and cooling flavor that plays beautifully with the other flavors. Mint is an incredibly common herb but can be difficult to access in some seasons and locations. Luckily, you can almost always find it in the produce section of any supermarket.
- Tahini – This nutty, slightly sweet sesame seed paste gives the dip an earthy flavor and velvety texture. You can usually find it with the peanut butter or in the international foods aisle at your local grocery store.
- Salt – Enhances and harmonizes the other flavors of the yogurt dip. I prefer Kosher salt or sea salt.
- Pepper – Adds a complimentary pop of sharp, piney, pepperiness.
- Zest & Juice Lemon. Zest and juice one-half of the lemon. Reserve 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- Combine All Ingredients. Add the lemon juice, tahini, lemon zest, yogurt, water, mint, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Mix well to combine.
- Cover & Chill. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve. Enjoy this yogurt sauce with steamed veggies and all your favorite foods.
Both of these Mediterranean sauces are made with ingredients like Greek yogurt and mint leaves, and you will often find them paired with similar recipes. However, this is where their similarities end.
Tzatziki is a fiercely fresh and flavorful sauce made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, fresh mint, vinegar, tons of garlic, and warming spices like cumin and cayenne pepper. Also called gyro sauce, this bright, tangy recipe is a mainstay in countless Mediterranean households.
Tahini yogurt sauce, on the other hand, is a simple combination of tahini, Greek yogurt, mint leaves, and lemon seasoned with simple salt and pepper. Also an everyday condiment, this sensational sauce makes the perfect dip, dressing, drizzle, or marinade.
If you would like a thicker yogurt sauce, decrease the total amount of water. Go slowly, adding water bit by bit until you achieve the desired thickness.
If you have already mixed up your tahini yogurt sauce, try thickening it by adding a bit more Greek yogurt. If you had to sub in regular, non-Greek yogurt, a little bit of cornstarch or tapioca starch can be added. Follow the same guidelines as with the water. Add the starch bit by bit and assess as you go.
Use this multi-purpose yogurt sauce as a dip, drizzle, dressing or marinade for any and all of your favorite recipes. I’ve gathered a few inspiring ideas to get you started.
– Drizzle some on top of salad recipes like this Lebanese Fattoush Bread Salad or Mediterranean Chickpea Salad.
– Dress up grain dishes like this Mediterranean Barley Salad, Ptitim (Israeli Couscous Salad), or Kisir (Turkish Bulgur Salad).
– Serve yogurt sauce with sliced veggies and a flatbread like Georgian Cheese Bread or this Pita Bread Recipe (Khubz).
– Use this sauce as a marinade for recipes like Marinated Tahini Chicken.
– Enjoy as a condiment to dress up your next gyro, Greek Chicken Souvlaki, or Moroccan Couscous Cakes.
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Tahini Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 lemon (1/2 grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons juice)
- 2 tbsp mint leaves minced
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Zest half of the lemon and then juice it. You need 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- In a bowl whisk together the yogurt, lemon zest and juice, mint, tahini, water, salt and pepper.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve over steamed vegetables, as a dipping sauce or over grilled meats.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Love it
will be making this soon with coconut cashew and almond yogurt as am a vegan i never had tahini before will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya