This vegan green tahini sauce is nutty, spicy, citrusy and fresh. Use it as a dip or a dressing – it goes with pretty much any meal. Middle Eastern green tahini sauce most often has flat-leaf parsley, but I love the addition of mint, coriander and dill.

It’s an excellent way to use up any last bits of green herbs lurking in the fridge. But most of all, it is utterly delicious and oh-so-versatile.

A mason jar with green tahini sauce and gold spoon viewed from a side angle.

What is green tahini sauce?

Baqdunsieh, the traditional Middle Eastern condiment of flat-leaf parsley and tahini, inspired this green tahini sauce. It is nutty and fresh, delicious served with salad or as part of a mezze spread.

In this version, I also add a variety of fresh herbs, lemon juice, garlic and chillies. Olive oil and water determine the final consistency of the condiment. You can opt for a very thick sauce if you serve it as a dip or a much thinner sauce when you use it as a salad dressing.

A selection of fresh herbs, including dill, flat-leaf parsley, coriander and mint, in a glass bowl surrounded by ingredients.

Green tahini ingredients

  • Fresh green herbs: The traditional herb in green tahini sauce (baqdunsieh) is flat-leaf parsley. But I love to mix it up a bit. Add freshness with coriander (cilantro) and especially mint. You can try basil, dill and tarragon too. Or use whatever leftover herbs you have lurking in the fridge. Use the leaves and soft stems.
  • Tahini: Tahini is a Middle Eastern paste made from roasted, hulled sesame seeds. It has a delicious nutty taste and creamy texture. Tahini can be a touch bitter – some brands more so than others. So, taste your tahini before you start with the sauce. If it is notably bitter, reduce the amount of tahini you add at the start and add more once you taste the sauce. It is easy to make delicious tahini at home.
  • Olive oil: I prefer extra virgin olive oil, but you can use any oil you enjoy.
  • Water: Start with a quarter cup of water as outlined in the recipe, but add more water if you want a thinner sauce. The consistency you require will depend on how you plan to serve the green tahini. Thick green tahini works well as a dip, and runnier green tahini is a great salad dressing.
  • Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds acidity to balance that nutty bitterness of the tahini.
  • Green chillies (optional): To ensure your green tahini is actually green, don’t be tempted to use red chillies or chilli powder. I like to add jalapeños for a mild kick or green finger chillies when I’m craving something spicier. Or add a teaspoon of green shatta.
  • Garlic: The pungency of raw garlic is not for everyone. If you are one of those people, feel free to reduce or omit the raw garlic.
  • Salt: Start with half a teaspoon of salt and increase it after tasting the sauce. I always add a whole teaspoon of salt.

Make green tahini sauce in a food processor or by hand

Use a food processor or immersion blender for a quick and easy green tahini sauce. Blitz all the ingredients together until you have a smooth green sauce flecked with dark green herbs. It’s a versatile, convenient sauce – ready in under five minutes!

Tahini, fresh herbs, raw garlic and chillies in a food processor as viewed from above.

You can also make this sauce by hand. Whisk the tahini, olive oil, water and lemon juice until well combined. Finely chop the herbs, garlic and chillies and stir into the tahini mix. Taste, and add more lemon juice and salt.

The sauce won’t have the gorgeous green hue, but it will be equally delicious with flecks of green herbs.

Add water, one tablespoon at a time, if you prefer a thinner sauce.

Serving Suggestions

A mason jar filled to the brim with thick vegan green tahini sauce.

Refrigerate the sauce in an airtight jar for up to four days or freeze for three months. Stir in a splash of water if the sauce thickened in the fridge. Or add more tahini if it is watery after defrosting.

It is such a delicious, versatile sauce. Why not make double?

Green Tahini Sauce Recipe

5 from 12 votes

This vegan green tahini sauce is a balance of nutty sesame and fresh herbs. It takes only 5 minutes to make. And you can use it as a dip for crudités, flatbread, falafels or fritters. Or use it as a grain or green salad dressing. It goes with pretty much any meal!
This recipe yields 1½ cups.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Appetizer, Condiment, Mezze, Snack
Cuisine Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Servings 12 servings

Equipment

  • I use a food processor, but you can also use a blender or an immersion (stick) blender (or chop the herbs by hand).

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup packed green herbs (parsley, coriander/cilantro, mint, basil, dill or a combination), tender stems and leaves (70 grams)
  • ½ cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup of water, plus more as needed
  • 1 lemon, juiced (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 2 green chillies, roughly chopped or a teaspoon green shatta (optional)
  • 1 large garlic clove, peeled and roughly chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor – or use a mixing bowl and an immersion (stick) blender. Blitz until you have a smooth light green sauce flecked with dark green herbs. Stop to scrape down the sides if needed. It should take about three minutes.
  • Taste the sauce and adjust by adding more chilli, salt or lemon. I always add more salt.
  • The sauce will be very thick. Leave it thick if you plan to use it for a dip or spread. For a thinner salad dressing, add water one tablespoon at a time until you reach the ideal consistency.
  • Use straight away or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Notes

  • You can use any combination of fresh herbs. It's a great way to use leftover herbs lurking in the fridge. See the blog post for combination ideas if you need more guidance.
  • Taste your tahini before you start. If it is a touch bitter, start with ¼ cup of tahini and add more after tasting the sauce.
  • I always add one teaspoon of salt, but your preference may differ. So, start with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and increase according to taste.

MADE THIS RECIPE?

I would love to see! Tag @non_guilty_pleasures on Instagram and use the hashtag #nonguiltypleasuresrecipe