This Cilantro Lime Tahini Sauce is bursting with the freshness of cilantro, the zesty tang of lime, and the creamy richness of tahini! It's so versatile too. Drizzle it over salads, use it as a dip for veggies, or pair it with grilled meats or fish. In just about 10 minutes you'll have yourself a simple-to-prepare, yet endlessly customizable, sauce!
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One of my favorite ways to enjoy this cilantro lime tahini sauce is by preparing a batch in a mason jar at the beginning of the week. Its versatility makes it a go-to condiment for me, whether I'm spreading it on toast for a quick breakfast or drizzling it over a tortilla for a tasty addition to dinner. Having it on hand throughout the week not only adds convenience to meal prep but also brings a burst of fresh flavor to many dishes.
Like this Mazurek Shortcake Dessert, this recipe is also my mother-in-law's. She made it when she was visiting us and we all loved it. We just started using it everywhere. I even made these Ground Beef Stuffed Mini Peppers with tahini sauce. So good!
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Reasons to love this recipe
- Refreshing Flavor: The combination of fresh cilantro, tangy lime, and creamy tahini creates a refreshing and satisfying dish.
- It's versatile: it's great for a wide range of dishes. Whether you're using it as a dip, a dressing, a spread, or a sauce, it adds a burst of flavor to any meal.
- Health Benefits: Cilantro is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, while tahini provides a good source of healthy fats and protein.
- Easy to Make: Like this Quick Blender Guacamole, with just a handful of simple ingredients and a quick blend in the food processor or blender, you can whip up a batch of this sauce in minutes. It's a hassle-free recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights.
- It's Convenient: By preparing a mason jar of this sauce at the start of the week, you'll have a convenient condiment ready to go whenever you need it. It definitely saves time and effort during meal prep.
- It's Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic base that you can customize to suit your taste preferences. Adjust the ingredients to your liking, add extra herbs or spices, or experiment with different citrus juices.
Ingredients
- Tahini: Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It's a staple ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. Look for tahini made from 100% sesame seeds without any added oils or sweeteners. Some brands may produce tahini that separates into layers, with the oil rising to the top. If that's the case, make sure to stir the tahini well before using it. Choose tahini that is made from hulled sesame seeds for a milder flavor, or unhulled sesame seeds for a more robust and slightly bitter taste.
- Lime: The zestiness of lime juice adds a burst of freshness and tangy acidity to the sauce. It also acts as a natural preservative, helping to prolong the shelf life of the sauce.
- Cilantro: Adds fresh, vibrant, herbal flavor to the sauce. It can also help balance any potential bitterness from the tahini or lime juice. I love incorporating cilantro in my recipes; it just adds such a nice fresh flavor and aroma. I add it to Burrata Cheese with Marinated Mushrooms and Tomato Salsa, to Turmeric Couscous Salad Recipe, and many other dishes. For those who prefer alternatives to cilantro, see substitutions and variations below.
- Garlic: adds aroma and a little bit of spice.
- Water: Like in this Sundried Tomato Dressing, water is added to adjust the consistency of the sauce to your liking. If you prefer a thinner sauce, you can add water gradually while blending until you reach the desired consistency. Adding water can also help to mellow out the flavors if the sauce is too intense or thick.
see the recipe card at the end of this post for the full list of ingredients and quantities
Substitutions and variations
- Cilantro Substitutions: Substitute parsley for cilantro if you're not a fan of cilantro's flavor. Fresh basil can also be used as a substitute, with a slightly different but equally delicious flavor.
- Water substitution: adding olive oil instead of water will add richness and creaminess to the sauce. It also adds a subtle fruity and peppery flavor. But water will result in a lighter, thinner sauce compared to using olive oil. Opt for water if you lean towards a thinner texture or aim to lower the sauce's calorie content.
- Lime: If you don't have lime on hand, you can substitute it with lemon. Though lime juice adds a unique flavor, lemon juice will still bring acidity and brightness to the sauce.
- Add spice: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Adjust the amount to taste.
Preparation
STEP 1: Prepare the ingredients
Coarsely chop the cilantro and garlic so they blend better, then add the cilantro leaves, tahini, lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and water to a food processor or blender.
STEP 2: Blend
Blend the ingredients on high speed until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the processor or blender. If the sauce is too thick, add more water gradually, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Blend again to incorporate the water thoroughly.
Top Tips
- Look for tahini made from 100% sesame seeds without any added oils or sweeteners.
- Choose tahini that is made from hulled sesame seeds for a milder flavor, or unhulled sesame seeds for a more robust and slightly bitter taste.
- When adding water, start with a small amount of water and adjust as needed until you achieve the desired texture and flavor.
- Taste the sauce as you go and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more lime juice for acidity, salt for seasoning, or honey for sweetness to achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
- Blend the ingredients well in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.
- Allow the sauce to sit for a while after preparing it to let the flavors meld together. This allows the ingredients to infuse and develop a more cohesive taste.
- Tahini sauce does thicken slowly. Once it thickens, you may like to add more water to dilute it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tahini is a thick paste made from sesame seeds, tahini sauce is a thinner and pourable condiment made by mixing tahini with water, lemon juice, and other flavorings. Tahini is a base ingredient, while tahini sauce is a finished product used as a topping or dip in various dishes.
Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Stir well before each use because the sauce may thicken slightly upon refrigeration.
Though it is possible to freeze cilantro lime tahini sauce, the texture may change upon thawing and become slightly grainy or separating. But if you do freeze it, just allow it to thaw in the refrigerator and whisk well before serving.
You can use bottled lime juice as a substitute if fresh limes are not available. Just be aware that bottled lime juice may have a slightly different taste compared to fresh lime juice.
Serving Suggestions
The serving possibilities for this one are endless! Spread it over crackers, toast, or tortilla. Enjoy it as a dressing in a fresh salad, such as this Spring Vegetable and Berry Salad, as a substitute for regular dressing. Have it with these Stir-Fried Chicken Thighs or dip for these Easy 3-ingredient Baked Potato Wedges. I also love dipping some blanched asparagus in the sauce.
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Recipe
Cilantro Lime Tahini Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves packed, stems and leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¾ cup tahini - sesame seed paste
- ½ lime juice of - 1 tablespoon
- ½ teaspoon salt - plus more to taste (if needed), I used Himalayan salt
- ½ cup water - plus more for desired consistency. use water safe for drinking as it will not be boiled
Instructions
- Coarsely chop the cilantro and garlic so they blend better.
- Add the cilantro leaves, tahini, lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and water to a food processor or blender.
- Blend the ingredients on high speed until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the processor or blender.
- If the sauce is too thick, add more water gradually, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Blend again to incorporate the water thoroughly.
Notes
- The serving size of the sauce can vary depending on how it's used. For dressing salads, dipping veggies, or using as a sauce for grilled meats, this amount should serve about 12.
- Look for tahini made from 100% sesame seeds without any added oils or sweeteners.
- Choose tahini that is made from hulled sesame seeds for a milder flavor, or unhulled sesame seeds for a more robust and slightly bitter taste.
- When adding water, start with a small amount of water and adjust as needed until you achieve the desired texture and flavor.
- Taste the sauce as you go and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more lime juice for acidity, salt for seasoning, or honey for sweetness to achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
- Blend the ingredients well in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.
- Allow the sauce to sit for a while after preparing it to let the flavors meld together. This allows the ingredients to infuse and develop a more cohesive taste.
- Tahini sauce does thicken slowly. Once it thickens, you may like to add more water to dilute it.
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