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    Home » Recipes » Sauces | Dressings

    Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce

    Published: Jun 2, 2021 · Modified: Mar 31, 2022 · by Tracy Halasz · 17 Comments

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    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!

    Sweet and spicy tahini sauce in a jar.

    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 . . .

    Ingredients for sweet and spicy tahini sauce on baking sheet.
    • 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.

    Bowl with ingredients for sweet and spicy tahini sauce.
    sweet and spicy sauce starts out runny
    Thick sweet and spicy tahini sauce mixed in a bowl.
    keep stirring - it ends up thick and luxurious!

    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.

    Tahini paste being drizzled into a bowl surrounded by lemons and garlic.

    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 . . .

    Sweet and spicy tahini sauce being drizzled on vegan taco bowl.
    • 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!

    Did you make my Sweet and Spicy Tahini Sauce recipe? 
    I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram and Facebook!
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    Sweet and spicy tahini sauce in a jar.

    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

    Rate this recipe!

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 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.

    More Vegan Sauces Drizzles and Dips

    • Vegan Teriyaki Sauce (gluten free)
    • Easy Vegan Ranch Dressing (gf)
    • Spicy Mayo for Sushi (vegan)
    • Vegan Heavy Cream
    10830 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenn

      November 11, 2019 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      This sauce is amazing and so versatile. I recommend you use it as often as possible ????????

      Reply
      • simplyceecee

        November 11, 2019 at 3:20 pm

        Thank you, Jennifer. I'm so happy you love the sauce. We've been drizzling it on everything too!!!

        Reply
    2. Rachel

      November 01, 2020 at 7:21 pm

      5 stars
      Loving this sauce! It is so easy to make and so tasty on absolutely everything.

      Reply
      • Tracy Halasz

        November 01, 2020 at 9:00 pm

        Thank you so much for the review. We agree, it's a family favourite!

        Reply
        • Sandi

          November 22, 2020 at 10:49 am

          5 stars
          LOVE this sauce, thank you Tracy!!

          Reply
          • Tracy Halasz

            November 22, 2020 at 12:24 pm

            Thank you so much, Sandi. It's our current favourite sauce too!

            Reply
    3. Stacey

      March 20, 2021 at 4:00 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious and easy, our whole family loved it, I can stop looking for the perfect Tahini dressing now, thank you!

      Reply
      • Tracy Halasz

        March 21, 2021 at 4:37 pm

        Oh, thank you so much! Happy you enjoy it. It's my current favorite too!

        Reply
    4. Janet

      April 30, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      5 stars
      I made this sauce with the baked falafels and it was great! So easy to make too.

      Reply
      • Tracy Halasz

        May 01, 2021 at 7:44 am

        Thank you for the review, Janet, so happy you enjoyed the sauce!

        Reply
    5. Michelle

      January 31, 2022 at 5:56 pm

      5 stars
      wow-made this tonight. absolutely delish!

      Reply
      • Tracy Halasz

        February 01, 2022 at 8:31 am

        So happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for the review.

        Reply
    6. jennifer

      May 26, 2022 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      Made this today for a dipping sauce with my veggies. This recipe is amazing!!

      Reply
      • Tracy Halasz

        May 27, 2022 at 7:45 am

        Yay! So happy to hear that you love the tahini sauce! It's my favorite too. Have a great week.

        Reply
    7. Lori

      October 29, 2022 at 8:20 pm

      5 stars
      Made this to go with falafel. It is amazing. Will go with so many meals. Thank you for a unique recipe.

      Reply
      • Tracy Halasz

        October 30, 2022 at 7:11 pm

        Yay, happy to hear that you enjoy the tahini sauce! It's a family favorite too!

        Reply
    8. Daniel

      February 02, 2023 at 8:36 pm

      5 stars
      So simple to make and soooo good.

      Reply

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