EASY LEMON HERB TAHINI SAUCE (Vegan, Nut-Free)
This lemon herb tahini sauce is your new secret weapon for adding crazy-good flavor to your salads, bowls, veggies, and more.
Equipment
- 1 Blender/Food processor
Ingredients
- ½ cup parsley (fresh, roughly chopped)
- ¼ cup dill (fresh, roughly chopped)
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 4 Tbps lemon juice (fresh)
- 1 Tbps Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbps nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- ¼ to ½ cup cold filtered water (adjust based on desired consistency)
Instructions
- Prepare Fresh Herbs: Roughly chop the fresh parsley and dill to make blending easier. There is no need for precision here, as they will be going into the food processor or blender.
- Blend Tahini Base with Flavors: In your food processor or blender, combine the tahini, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, and garlic powder. Blend these together until they form a smooth, well-combined base. The Dijon mustard will add a tangy depth, while the nutritional yeast contributes a cheesy umami flavor.
- Add Herbs and Sweetness: To the mixture in your food processor or blender, add the chopped fresh parsley, dill, and maple syrup. The fresh herbs will bring a vibrant freshness to the sauce, and the maple syrup adds a touch of natural sweetness that balances the acidity of the lemon juice.
- Adjust Consistency: Begin by adding 1/4 cup of water to the mixture. Blend until smooth and check the consistency. If you prefer a thinner sauce, gradually add more water (up to 1/2 cup in total), blending after each addition until you reach your desired thickness.
- Season to Taste: Season the sauce with salt and pepper. It's best to start with a small amount, blend, taste, and then adjust as necessary.
- Final Blend: Once you've adjusted the seasoning to your liking, give the sauce one last blend to ensure everything is thoroughly combined and the sauce is smooth.
- Serve or Store: Your Vegan Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce is now ready to elevate salads and bowls or even serve as a splendid dip for veggies and crackers. If not using immediately, store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Storage Tips: The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If the sauce thickens upon storage, whisk in water to restore the desired consistency before serving.
- Texture Adjustments: The consistency of the sauce can significantly influence its use. Add more water for a thinner sauce, perfect for drizzling over salads. Use less water for a thicker consistency, ideal as a spread or dip. If you accidentally add too much water, add more tahini to fix it.
- Herb Variations: While parsley and dill are suggested, experiment with other herbs, such as cilantro, basil, or mint, for different flavor profiles.
- Nutritional Boost: To increase the nutritional value, add a tablespoon of hemp seeds or flaxseed meal to the blend. This ingredient will introduce additional omega-3 fatty acids without significantly altering the flavor.
- Allergy Substitutes: For those with sesame allergies, sunflower seed or cashew butter can be a viable alternative to tahini, though it will slightly alter the taste.
- Sweetness Adjustments: Depending on your preference for sweetness, you can increase or decrease the amount of maple syrup. Alternatively, you can omit the maple syrup entirely if you prefer a more savory sauce.
- If you have a high-speed blender, you can put all the ingredients at the same time and blend. I am doing it in steps since my blender is not that powerful.
- The serving size will depend on how much water you add to the sauce.