Drizzle it over shawarma, falafel, fish, fried or broiled cauliflower, eggplant, pumpkin, sandwiches, wraps, and countless other dishes. Naturally vegan and gluten-free, taratour can take just about any dish in a whole new direction and to another level.

Is Taratour the Same as Lemon Tahini Sauce?

Why Every Kitchen Needs an Authentic Taratour Recipe?

A staple sauce that every Lebanese and Middle Eastern household should have in its repertoire. Taratour is incredibly versatile and works beautifully across a wide variety of dishes and preparations.

Think of it as a base: from this simple, flavorful tahini sauce, you can create a multitude of dishes and flavor combinations. This is the versatile sauce we call Taratour.

Here are some great dishes that pair beautifully with this homemade tahini sauce:

• Meat shawarma

• Grilled kafta kebabs

• Falafel

• Roasted vegetables

• Grilled or fried fish and sardines

• Fried or broiled cauliflower

• Fried or broiled pumpkin wedges

• Roasted sweet potatoes

• Roasted carrots

• Add it to dressings to spoon over salads

What Is Tahini?

Tahini is a rich condiment made from ground, toasted sesame seeds. It has been used throughout the Middle East for centuries, and nowadays, its popularity has spread around the world.

Tahini is rich in B vitamins, including thiamine, as well as minerals such as copper, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, and zinc. Adding tahini to your diet can help you get your daily dose of copper, an essential mineral that supports bone and metabolic health.

A good tahini should be smooth, creamy, thick, yet pourable. It is crucial to stir the tahini well before using it, as the natural sesame solids tend to settle at the bottom of the jar.

Ingredients Needed to Make Taratour (Lemon Tahini Sauce)

• Tahini — a paste-like condiment made from ground sesame seeds, with a rich, nutty flavor. It is very popular in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East.

• Garlic

• Lemon — use freshly squeezed lemon juice and avoid the muted flavor of bottled lemon juice.

• Water

• Salt

Preparation

Add the tahini to a bowl. Whisk in the crushed garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and water until smooth and well combined. Season with salt to taste.

You may notice that the mixture seizes up slightly when the other liquids are added.

Just keep whisking, it will quickly smooth out and blend with the other ingredients. If it’s too thick, add just a little water. It should have a thick, creamy consistency.

Where can you find tahini?

You can find it in Middle Eastern grocery stores or in the nut and seed section of most supermarkets. Use the best tahini brand you can find. Lebanese tahini brands are the best—no bias here, just speaking from personal experience!

Ingredients to Add Flavor and Depth to Taratour

You can easily add more flavor, richness, and depth to your taratour by incorporating one or more of the following ingredients:

• Parsley: For a fresh, herby flavor, add a handful of finely chopped fresh parsley. I especially like adding parsley when serving taratour alongside fried or grilled fish.

• Red Pepper Paste: For a richer color and more intense flavor, stir in a couple of tablespoons of homemade or store-bought red pepper paste. It gives the taratour a deliciously bold and vibrant taste.

• Cumin Powder: Add a pinch of ground cumin for a warm, earthy, and slightly smoky flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.

• Chili Powder: If you enjoy a little heat, add chili powder to taste. It gives your taratour a subtle or spicy kick, depending on how much you use.

• Yogurt: Add a few spoonfuls of plain yogurt to lighten the richness of the sauce and create a creamier consistency. This variation works particularly well when using taratour as a salad dressing.

How to Store Taratour (Tahini Sauce)

Store taratour (tahini sauce) in a clean glass jar and keep it refrigerated. Properly stored, it will keep for about 10 days, making it a convenient make-ahead sauce for meals, dips, and salads.

The tahini and other ingredients may naturally separate as the sauce sits. Simply stir the tahini sauce well before each use to bring it back to a smooth, creamy consistency.

Another Glorious Tahini-Based Recipe

Supreme Hummus Recipe

For the purist who wants to learn the secrets of authentic hummus bi tahini, try our supreme hummus recipe. This classic tahini-based hummus is creamy, rich, and packed with authentic Middle Eastern flavor.

Try Tahini in These Delicious Recipes

• Turkish Tahini Sweet Rolls
• Banana and Date Bread with Tahini and Carob Molasses
• Fried Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce
• Moufataka, Lebanese Turmeric Rice Pudding

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Taratour, Lemon Tahini Sauce

5 from 1 vote

Prep: 2 minutes minutes

Cook: 0 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cup

Course

condiment

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Side Dish

Cuisine

#Middle Eastern

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Lebanese

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Mediterranean

Print Pin Review

Description

Taratour (Lebanese Lemon Tahini Sauce) is a versatile Lebanese and Middle Eastern condiment made with creamy tahini, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Rich in sesame flavor with a bright, slightly lemony tang, this easy tahini sauce comes together in just minutes with a few simple ingredients.

If you love tahini, Taratour is one of those easy homemade sauces you'll want to keep in the fridge—it adds creamy texture, nutty sesame flavor, and a refreshing lemony kick to almost anything.

Equipment

• Whisk

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ ½ cup tahini
• ▢ ⅓ cup water
• ▢ 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ▢ 1 garlic clove crushed
• ▢ Salt to taste

Instructions

 

• Crush the garlic with a pinch of salt until smooth.
• It is crucial to stir the tahini well before using it, as the solids tend to settle at the bottom. Add the specified amount to a bowl, then whisk in the crushed garlic, lemon juice, and water.

  At first, you may notice that the mixture seizes up slightly when the other liquids are added. Just keep whisking—it will quickly smooth out and blend with the other ingredients. You should end up with a thick, creamy sauce. If it’s too thick, add a little more water. Adjust the salt to taste; the sauce should be well-seasoned, not bland.
  

Notes

Note: You can easily double or triple the recipe if you’re feeding a large number of people.

Beef shawarma and taratour are a match made in food heaven! This delicious homemade beef shawarma recipe is packed with bold Middle Eastern flavors and paired with creamy, tangy taratour sauce. It’s an easy and satisfying recipe worth learning and making at home.

Keyword tahini, taratour recipe

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