If you’re on the hunt for a sauce that’s bursting with flavor, creamy yet zesty, and can effortlessly elevate everything from roasted veggies to grain bowls, then you are going to absolutely adore this Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe. I love this because it’s incredibly simple to whip up, uses just a handful of wholesome ingredients, and packs a punch of fresh, garlicky heat that keeps me coming back for more every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: It comes together in just minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
Versatile Flavor: The balance of spicy, garlicky, and tangy tastes makes it a great match for many dishes.
Healthy & Vegan: Oil-free and plant-based, you get richness from tahini without added fats.
Adjustable Heat: You control the spice level easily by tweaking the jalapeño—no surprises!

A clear glass bottle filled with light green creamy sauce with tiny green and black specks is placed at the center. Around the base of the bottle are three fresh green chili peppers, one sliced open showing seeds, and scattered red chili flakes. In the background on the white marbled surface, there are two lime halves with their interiors visible and a bunch of fresh green herbs blurred out. The scene is well lit, highlighting the fresh textures and colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in the Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe plays a vital role in creating that vibrant taste. When you combine the creamy tahini with fresh jalapeño, cilantro, and lively lime juice, it feels like a little party in your blender—so fresh and addictive!

Tahini Paste: The nutty sesame base giving you velvety creaminess without dairy.
Garlic: Adds a punch of savory depth; fresh cloves work best.
Jalapeño Pepper: The secret star for that spicy kick—remove seeds to tone it down if you need.
Lime Juice: Brings acidity and brightness that wakes up the entire sauce.
Maple Syrup: Balances heat and tartness with just a hint of sweetness.
Warm Water: Helps thin the tahini to a drizzle-friendly consistency.
Coarse Ground Salt: Essential for highlighting all the flavors — adjust to taste.
Cilantro: Fresh and fragrant, it adds that beautiful green color and herbal punch.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe depending on what I have on hand or my mood. It’s one of those sauces that’s super forgiving and open to your creativity, so feel free to make it your own!

Mild Version: I sometimes start with removing all seeds from the jalapeño to keep it kid-friendly or mellow for sensitive palates.
Herb Swap: Instead of cilantro, try parsley or fresh basil for a different twist — both freshen it up beautifully.
Lemon Instead of Lime: I swapped lime for lemon on a whim once and loved the slightly brighter, sunnier vibe it gave.
Adding Avocado: For an extra creamy texture, I blend in half an avocado — perfect for spreading on sandwiches!

How to Make Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

Start by roughly chopping the cilantro and jalapeño pepper. If you want to keep things on the mild side, remove the seeds and veins from the jalapeño—that’s where most of the heat is. Peel the garlic clove and juice your lime, making sure to catch any seeds.

Step 2: Blend Everything Together

Pop your tahini paste, chopped garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, maple syrup, salt, cilantro, and warm water into your blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. I usually start with 6 tablespoons of water and add more if I want a thinner sauce. The magic here is getting that perfectly pourable but still rich consistency.

Step 3: Taste and Adjust

This is where your sauce becomes truly yours. Taste it and add a pinch more salt if needed, some extra lime juice for brightness, or a smidge more maple syrup to balance the heat. If you want it spicier, just toss in some jalapeño seeds or even an extra slice of pepper. It’s that simple!

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Pro Tips for Making Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe

Control Your Heat: I discovered that removing jalapeño seeds lets you enjoy the flavor without overwhelming spice—great for the whole family.
Warm Water Magic: Adding warm, not cold, water helps the tahini loosen and blend more smoothly every single time.
Freshness Matters: Fresh lime juice and cilantro make all the difference—try to use them fresh rather than bottled or dried.
Don’t Skip Tasting: Taste halfway through blending and adjust your seasoning gradually to avoid an overpowering or under-seasoned sauce.

How to Serve Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe

A white bowl with four layers of food arranged in sections: on the left is brown rice with a light green sauce drizzled on top, next to it is mixed leafy greens in dark and light green shades, followed by golden roasted chickpeas mixed with small browned cauliflower florets, and on the right is a sliced avocado sprinkled with coarse black pepper and red chili flakes, all placed on a white marbled surface with small bowls of herbs and sauce nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle some extra chopped cilantro or a few thin rings of fresh jalapeño on top when serving—it looks beautiful and amps up the freshness and heat. Sometimes, a light dusting of smoked paprika adds a nice color contrast and subtle smoky undertone that I can’t resist.

Side Dishes

This sauce pairs like a dream with roasted sweet potatoes, falafel, grilled veggies, vegan bowls, or just drizzled over your favorite salad. My family goes crazy for it alongside falafel wraps with pickled onions and cucumber slices.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun dinner party twist, I’ve served this spicy green tahini sauce in small dipping bowls alongside bright veggie crudités and warm pita chips. It doubles as a zesty salad dressing if you thin it with a bit more warm water and a touch of apple cider vinegar for zing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover sauce in a sealed glass jar in the fridge, where it stays fresh for about 4 to 5 days. Just give it a good stir before using it again because it can thicken up a bit.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen this tahini sauce often, it should freeze well in airtight containers or ice cube trays if you want to save extra for longer. When thawed, you might need to whisk it again and add a splash of water to get back that perfect consistency.

Reheating

No reheating needed here—this sauce is best served chilled or at room temperature. If it’s too thick from refrigeration, just stir in a splash of warm water to loosen it up, and it’s ready to go.

FAQs

Can I use a different pepper if I don’t have jalapeño?

Absolutely! You can swap jalapeño for serrano for a spicier edge or green bell pepper for a milder, sweeter flavor. Just keep in mind the heat level and adjust accordingly.
Is tahini sauce healthy?

Yes! Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds, packed with healthy fats, protein, and minerals like calcium and magnesium. This recipe is oil-free and plant-based, making it a nutritious and flavorful choice.
How spicy is this sauce?

The heat depends on how much jalapeño you use and whether you keep the seeds. Starting with a small amount and adding more lets you control the spice level to your comfort.
Can I make this sauce nut-free?

Yes! While tahini comes from sesame seeds and isn’t a tree nut, if you are allergic or avoiding it, you might try sunflower seed butter as an alternative, but it will change the flavor and texture significantly.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe has truly become one of my kitchen staples because it’s so versatile, fresh, and just downright delicious. Whether you drizzle it over a bowl, use it as a dip, or add a punch to your sandwich, I promise you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite sauce!

Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 58 reviews

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Sauce
Method: Blending
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

This Spicy Green Tahini Sauce is a vibrant, vegan-friendly condiment bursting with fresh cilantro, zesty lime, and a kick of jalapeño heat. Creamy tahini pairs perfectly with garlic and a touch of sweetness from maple syrup, making it an ideal oil-free and versatile sauce or dip that can elevate any dish with a flavorful punch.

Ingredients

Spicy Green Tahini Sauce Ingredients

1/2 cup tahini paste
1 clove garlic
1 small jalapeno pepper
1 lime, juiced (more or less to taste)
2-3 teaspoons maple syrup
6-8 tablespoons warm water
1/2 teaspoon coarse ground salt (more or less to taste)
1 bunch cilantro, rough chopped

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Instructions

Combine ingredients: Place the tahini paste, garlic clove, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, maple syrup, warm water, salt, and rough chopped cilantro into a blender.
Blend until smooth: Blend all the ingredients thoroughly until the sauce reaches a smooth and creamy consistency.
Adjust heat level: To control the spiciness, start with a small jalapeno pepper; remove some seeds and veins if you prefer a milder sauce, or add more jalapeno to increase the heat.
Adjust consistency: Add additional warm water a tablespoon at a time until you achieve your desired thickness and pourability.
Season to taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the lime juice, salt, or maple syrup to your preference for balance and flavor.

Notes

This spicy green tahini sauce is oil-free and vegan, making it a healthy addition to any meal.
It has a fresh, garlicky flavor with a slight sweetness and a spicy jalapeño kick.
Use it as a dip, salad dressing, or sauce for roasted vegetables, bowls, or grilled dishes.
Adjust the jalapeno seeds and veins to control the heat according to your taste.
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.