Tahini Yogurt Sauce

This creamy Lebanese Tahini Yogurt Sauce will quickly become your new favorite quick & easy go to. Drizzle it over grilled salmon, serve it with lamb kebabs or shawarma, or use it as a yogurt dip for veggies.

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A Middle Eastern Yogurt Sauce that comes together in 5-minutes, is super versatile, and can be dressed up with your favorite herbs & spices? Yes, please!

When I came up with this recipe, I literally just started pulling out all my favorite ingredients from my spice drawer and cupboards. I knew that the base would be a mixture of greek yogurt and tahini, that I’d give a bit of a tang with either vinegar or lemon juice.

And then I knew that I wanted to incorporate my favorite spice, cumin, with a bit of heat (coming from some chipotle chili powder), and a pop of color, which came from those pomegranate seeds and a sprinkling of fresh chopped parsley.

What I didn’t realize was how obsessed I would be with it.

Overhead shot of tahini yogurt sauce in bowl next to pita and cucumbers on pink counter.

It was salty, tangy, creamy, smoky. I instantly wanted it on everything.

That first day, I used it as a dip served with radishes, cucumber and a bit of torn pita bread.

And then I used a bit of restraint.

I set it aside so that I could test it out the next day, drizzled over some grilled salmon. Amazing.

Now I’ve been dreaming up in my head all the ways I want to use this Tahini Yogurt Sauce…

And today, I’m going to show you just how easy this Middle Eastern Yogurt Sauce is to prepare, and how flexible this recipe can be.

Ingredients needed

Ingredients for tahini yogurt sauce labeled on counter.

Plain Greek Yogurt – I prefer to use whole fat, but you can also use low-fat, non-fat, or even a dairy-free yogurt alternative.
Tahini Sauce – Tahini is a sesame seed paste that’s nutty and delicious! Look for it near the peanut butter in your grocery store. Or, order it online. This is my favorite brand since it pours so easily.
Lemon Juice – For a nice tang. You can also use vinegar or lime juice.
Salt & Pepper

How to make it

Combine greek yogurt with tahini and lemon juice, stir until smooth.
Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil to add extra richness and flavor.
Sprinkle on your favorite herbs, seeds, nuts, etc. I’ve got loads of topping ideas below ↓↓↓
To dress up my Yogurt Dip in these photos, I sprinkled on some toasted cumin seeds, chipotle chili powder, pomegranate seeds and chopped fresh parsley.

Here are some other great topping ideas and mix-ins for your sauce:

Topping ideas

Sesame Seeds
Toasted Pine Nuts
Spices – Coriander, Cayenne, Za’atar, Sumac, Mustard Seeds
Fresh Herbs – Dill, Mint, Cilantro
Grated Garlic
Chickpeas
Calabrian Chiles
Harissa
Grated Cucumber

Overhead shot of tahini yogurt sauce in bowl topped with pomegranate seeds and with pita dipped into it.

How to make ahead & store

This yogurt sauce can be prepared up to three days ahead of time. Store tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.

FAQs

Is tahini sauce the same as tzatziki?

Tahini sauce is a creamy sauce, similar to peanut butter, that is made with ground sesame seeds. Tzatziki sauces is a creamy, yogurt-based cucumber sauce.

What is the flavor of tahini sauce?

Tahini is rich, nutty, and creamy. It’s most similar to peanut butter in flavor, but the flavor is lighter.

How long does homemade tahini sauce last in the fridge?

This homemade tahini sauce will last for up to 3 days in the fridge.

How do you store tahini once opened?

Tahini sauce should be stored in a cool, dry location, like a pantry or cupboard. It can also be stored in the fridge, but the consistency will become thicker.

How to use it

Greek Yogurt Dip for Fresh Vegetable Sticks
Yogurt Sauce for Lamb Chops
Tossed with Cooked Rice
Middle Eastern Yoghurt Sauce for Shawarma
As a Spread on Sandwiches
Whisk with some Extra Olive Oil and Use as a Salad Dressing
Combined with Warm Pasta
As a Sauce for Falafel

Prepared and garnished yogurt sauce ready to be served.

More appetizer recipes

• Prosciutto Wrapped Avocado Bites
• Short Rib Crostini with Cambozola Cheese and Cherry Jam
• Prosciutto, Brie & Honey Crostini
• Fennel & Salami Bites
• Filet Mignon Bites with Creamy Horseradish Sauce

More Middle Eastern-inspired recipes

More yogurt recipes

Did you try this Lebanese tahini yogurt sauce?

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Combine yogurt, tahini and lemon juice in a large bowl.
Drizzle with olive oil and top with pomegranate seeds, fresh parsley, cumin seeds and chili powder. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve.

Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to three days. Store tightly wrapped or in an airtight container.

This post was originally published in 2020. It was updated in 2023 to add new photographs and information. The tahini yogurt sauce recipe remains the same. Enjoy!