With only 4 ingredients, my tahini yogurt sauce is the easiest way to dress up a meal. It's oil-free but drizzles beautifully on any salad, bowl or sandwich!
I love a good sauce to drizzle on everything. In my opinion, it's the fastest way to level up any meal and instantly make it more delicious, presentable and exciting.
This tahini yogurt sauce is a classic because it's so simple and truly pairs well with everything. We typically serve it on my Mediterranean bowls, but you'll catch me adding it on sandwiches, salads or using it as a dip for pita and veggies.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with tahini, it's a sesame seed paste that is commonly consumed in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. It's also a key ingredient in hummus and has a deliciously nutty texture.
With that being said, it might come off as bitter if you're not used to it. Mellowed out with creamy yogurt, this tahini yogurt sauce is the perfect recipe for tahini newbies and tahini lovers alike!
Why This Dietitian Loves This Recipe
Let's recap why you need to make this tahini yogurt sauce:
- Only 4 ingredients. Okay, maybe there are 7 but I don't count salt, pepper or water. This sauce comes together in just 5 minutes with only 4 staple ingredients.
- Eat more seeds. Tahini is a great way to get more seeds into your diet since it is based of sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are rich in healthy fats and vitamin E!
- Versatile. The flavour profile of this sauce is nutty, creamy, but relatively neutral. It goes with so many dishes that you can easily make a batch to serve with different meals throughout the week.
Ingredients
- Tahini
- Plain yogurt
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Water
Instructions
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together yogurt, tahini, lemon juice and garlic until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.
Depending on the thickness of your yogurt, add water by the tablespoon until your desired thinness is reached. 1 tablespoon water will be more similar to a dip and 2-3 tablespoon will be more of a dressing. Whisk to combine.
For serving, top with pomegranate seeds, drizzle with olive oil if desired, and sprinkle with parsley and chili powder.
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
To make vegan: Use a dairy-free yogurt.
To make nut-free: This recipe is naturally nut-free. Note that tahini is sesame seed paste, so it is not suitable for those with sesame allergies.
Mixing it up? Try these add-ins:
- For a warm, heart flavour: ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- For a smokey flavour: ½ teaspoon paprika
- For a fresh flavour: 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- For a garlic tahini sauce: Add roasted garlic cloves
Equipment
Storage
This tahini yogurt sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Top Tip
When using a thicker yogurt (like Greek yogurt), it is necessary to add at least 1 tablespoon of water to thin out the sauce. If you are using plain yogurt (not Greek), water may not be necessary depending on how thick you would like your sauce to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
I would say it’s similar to a hummus as it has a tahini base, however slightly smoother and richer in flavour.
My Greek meatballs, grilled chicken or even beef souvlaki would all be amazing with this! You can also use it as a topping on Mediterranean bowls, quinoa salads or as a spread on wraps/sandwiches.
Most grocery stores will carry tahini in the nut butter or natural health food section. You can also look for it in the "international/ethnic" aisle or at Middle Eastern grocery stores.
Yes it is actually very easy to make your own tahini! Combine 1 cup sesame seeds with 2-4 tablespoon of neutral oil in a food processor and blend until smooth.
More Healthy Sauce Recipes
Dips and sauces make everything more delicious. Try these next:
📖 Recipe
Tahini Yogurt Sauce (4 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup plain yogurt
- ¼ cup tahini
- Juice of ½ of a lemon about 1.5 tbsp
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- *water to thin as desired
- Optional toppings:
- Pomegranate seeds
- Olive oil
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Chili powder
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl whisk together yogurt, tahini, lemon juice and garlic until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Depending on the thickness of your yogurt, add water by the tablespoon until your desired thinness is reached (1 tablespoon water will be more similar to a dip and 2-3 tablespoon will be more of a dressing) and whisk to combine.
- For serving, top with pomegranate seeds, drizzle with olive oil if desired, and sprinkle with parsley and chili powder.
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