How to Make Classic Tahini Sauce in 5 Minutes

Tahini sauce is the backbone of many Middle Eastern dishes like hummus, falafel, and grilled meats, and making it at home is much easier than you might think. Basic ingredients: 1/2 cup tahini paste, juice of 1 large lemon, 1 minced garlic clove, about 1/2 cup cold water, and a pinch of salt. The crucial step many get wrong: mix the tahini paste and lemon juice together first before adding any water. At first, the mixture will seize up and look thick or curdled—this is completely normal. Next, gradually whisk in the cold water while stirring continuously. You will watch it transform into a silky, ultra-creamy sauce that is lighter in color than the original paste. For extra flavor, add a pinch of ground cumin or finely chopped fresh parsley. You can store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.