Tahini Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients
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- 1 clove garlic – finely grated
- 2 tbsp lemon juice – freshly squeezed
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
Instructions
1. Grate the garlic into a medium bowl using a fine grater.
2. Add tahini, lemon juice, and salt to the bowl and whisk until the mixture tightens and turns paler, 30–60 seconds.
3. Gradually whisk in the water until smooth and pourable yet able to coat a spoon, 1–2 minutes.
4. Whisk in the yogurt until creamy and unified, 30–60 seconds.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking; cover and let stand 5 minutes to meld.
6. Serve as a drizzle or dip with grilled meats, fish, falafel, or vegetables, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Tahini yogurt sauce is a creamy, tangy condiment that balances the nuttiness of sesame paste with the cool richness of yogurt and the brightness of lemon. Its texture can be adjusted from spoonable to pourable, making it as at home drizzled over grilled meats and roasted vegetables as it is served as a dip with falafel or crudités. The garlic provides a gentle bite, while salt ties everything together into a versatile, savory sauce.
Rooted in the Levant and broader Middle East, this sauce reflects the long-standing pairing of tahini and yogurt seen across home kitchens and mezze tables. Variants are used with fish, shawarma, and vegetable dishes, often known alongside tahini-based tarator preparations. Over time, regional cooks have customized it with herbs and spices, but the foundational combination of tahini, yogurt, lemon, and garlic remains a staple in the cuisine.