Simply Lebanese

Tarator (Tahini Sauce)

Tarator
  • Prep Time
    5 mins
  • Serving
    8
  • Ready In
    5 mins
Tarator is a Lebanese Tahini sauce made with only a handful of vegan ingredients. All you need is tahini paste, lemon juice,garlic, a pinch of salt and water to thin it out
Tarator

Tarator is a Lebanese Tahini sauce made with only a handful of vegan ingredients. This sauce is so easy to put together. All you need is tahini paste, lemon juice, garlic, a pinch of salt and water to thin it out! What makes this sauce so wonderful, is how creamy and delicious it is, while being dairy-free. It has a nutty flavor with a lemony garlic punch to it.

Tahini paste is just toasted sesame seeds that have been ground with oil, just like how nut butters are made. Similar to nut butter, tahini paste requires some vigorous mixing before it can be poured out of the container. The oil and sesame separate, with the oil rising to the top so, a bit of mixing and you should be good to go! Tahini can be found at most local supermarkets and even stores like Target and Walmart, as it has become very popular in all kinds of cooking.

What to eat Tarator with

Tarator is incredibly versatile and can be used so much more than is traditionally is called for. You may recognize tarator from a few iconic street foods, beef shawarma and falafel. The sauce is prepared and drizzled on top when in a platter or served in pita bread.

Falafel

Some non-traditional ways to enjoy tarator is as a dressing. It would be delicious served on top of Middle-Eastern inspired bowls or salads with chicken or even seafood. It is even quite delicious served with roasted vegetables like my rainbow carrots with tarator recipe.

Roasted Carrots Tarator

And here is a Middle-eastern twist to a fall recipe, this sumac roasted acorn squash is drizzled with tarator, a tahini dressing.

Sumac Roasted Acorn Squash

STEP 1

Tarator is often prepared by hand using a bowl and whisk. However, if you would like to prepare a larger quantity, feel free to use a food processor or blender.

Tarator
Use a Food Processor for large portions

If preparing by hand, crush the garlic using a mortar and pestle.

Tarator

STEP 2

Add the tahini paste, lemon juice, salt and water and whisk thoroughly until silky smooth.

Tahini paste has a very strange texture when you first begin to whisk it.

You will notice it starts to get thicker and clumpy but, just keep whisking, and it will get silky and smooth.

Tarator
Tarator

Tarator (Tahini Sauce)

Tarator is a Lebanese Tahini sauce made with only a handful of vegan ingredients. All you need is tahini paste, lemon juice,garlic, a pinch of salt and water to thin it out
5 from 12 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Lebanese
Keyword: suace, Tahini Sauce, Tarator
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 93kcal
Author: Iman

Ingredients

  • .5 cup Tahini Paste
  • 4 Cloves of Garlic
  • .25 cup Lemon Juice
  • .5 tsp. Salt
  • .5 cup Water

Instructions

  • Tarator is often prepared by hand using a bowl and whisk. However,if you would like to prepare a larger quantity, feel free to use a food processor or blender.
    If preparing by hand, crush the garlic using a mortar and pestle.
  • Add the tahini paste, lemon juice, salt and water and whisk thoroughly until silky smooth.

Notes

Tahini paste has a very strange texture when you first begin to whisk it. You will notice it starts to get thicker and clumpy but, just keep whisking, and it will get silky and smooth.

Nutrition

Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
    Iman

    Owner

    Additional Recipes!

    Recipe Reviews

    • Avatar

      Bailey

      5 stars
      fantastic! had a cauliflower with tarator at a Lebanese restaurant recently and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it! This recipe was almost an exact recreation! thanks for sharing!

    • Avatar

      M

      5 stars
      This is perfect, restaurant-quality tarator.

      • Iman

        Iman

        Thank you so much!

      • Avatar

        Tasty Food

        5 stars
        Mind you, never try this at home. It’s addicting!!! 🙂

        (Already knew and make the recipe, came along and had to say something 🤤)

    • Avatar

      JIHAD BILAL

      5 stars
      Using your recipe, I have made the Taratour (Tahini Sauce) multiple times. Unfortunately the quantity cannot be fixed at the levels you state. It all depends on the Tahini Paste used. Some brands of the Paste require more water and lemon juice. I use my judgement by tasting the Taratour and adjusting the quantity levels to the density I desire. I use an electric whisk to do the mixing. Nonetheless, the taratour sauce always come out very good and delicious.
      Thank you for a wonderful recipe.

      • Iman

        Iman

        Thank you, yes I agree that the brand of tahini definitely makes a difference. The good thing is, you can always add more tahini or water to your tarator to make the consistency however you like!

    • Avatar

      Sylvie Caron

      This is a very good recipe, thank you!

      • Iman

        Iman

        Thank you!

    • Avatar

      Sam kobeissi

      5 stars
      Loved the taste and the texture fully satisfying, we had it with fried sardines .

      • Iman

        Iman

        That is wonderful, I am so glad you enjoyed it!

    • Avatar

      Eleanor

      5 stars
      This is a great recipe. I usually just wing it, the way my Lebanese husband does it, but didn’t have great results last time and decided I needed a guide to the amounts. He’s going to love this, it has enough garlic for him, but for me, it’s a bit too much. You could put in a qualifier for those who like a little garlic, but don’t want their mouth to be numb for an hour! Maybe suggest starting with 2 cloves and add as desired.

      • Iman

        Iman

        Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed it, and it is very versatile. You can always add less or more garlic according to your preference.

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