If you’re craving a sauce that packs a punch of flavor while keeping things fresh and vibrant, you’ve got to try this Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe. I absolutely love how this sauce turns out—it’s creamy, garlicky, with just the right amount of heat from jalapeños, balanced perfectly by lime and a touch of sweetness. Whether you drizzle it over roasted veggies, use it as a salad dressing, or dip your favorite snack into it, this sauce really elevates any dish. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll be your go-to for adding that quick, spicy green magic!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ready in Minutes: This sauce comes together in less than 5 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
Versatility: Use it as a dip, a drizzle, or a dressing—it works beautifully with so many dishes.
Fresh & Healthy Ingredients: It’s oil-free, vegan, and packed with fresh cilantro and lime juice for zesty brightness.
Customizable Heat Level: The jalapeño heat is easy to adjust, so everyone can enjoy it just the way they like.

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

All these ingredients come together to create a perfectly balanced and creamy spicy tahini sauce. My tip when buying tahini is to go for a smooth, well-stirred jar—it makes blending effortless and keeps the sauce nice and creamy.

Tahini paste: Makes the base creamy and nutty; look for fresh and smooth consistency.
Garlic clove: Adds that lovely pungent kick that pairs so well with the jalapeño.
Jalapeño pepper: Controls the heat; start small and add more to adjust the spice level perfectly.
Lime juice: Brightens everything up; fresh is best for that citrus zing.
Maple syrup: Brings a subtle sweetness that balances the heat and acidity.
Warm water: Helps thin out the tahini to a pourable consistency without watering down flavor.
Coarse ground salt: Enhances the flavors; add gradually and adjust to taste.
Cilantro: The star green herb here—fresh and chopped, it gives the sauce its vibrant color and herbal brightness.

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 tweaking this Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe to fit whatever mood I’m in or whatever I’m pairing it with. Feel free to experiment—you might just discover a new favorite twist, too.

Milder Version: When I want less heat, I remove all the jalapeño seeds and only use half the pepper—still spicy but gentler for sensitive palates.
Herb Swap: Sometimes I substitute cilantro with parsley for a milder, earthier sauce that my kids actually prefer.
Extra Creamy: Adding a dollop of vegan yogurt or more tahini can thicken it up if you want to use it as a dip rather than a drizzle.
Garlic-Free: If you need to avoid raw garlic, roasted garlic cloves also work wonderfully and add a sweet depth of flavor.

How to Make Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

This might be the easiest part! Roughly chop your cilantro and jalapeño (remember to deseed if you want to tame the heat), peel your garlic, and juice the lime. Having everything ready before you blend ensures a smooth process—plus, it saves you from rushing.

Step 2: Blend Everything Until Smooth

Pop your tahini paste, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, maple syrup, cilantro, salt, and a few tablespoons of warm water into your blender or food processor. Blend away! You’ll see the sauce come together into a creamy, vibrant green blend. If it’s too thick, just add a little more warm water—tablespoon by tablespoon—until you reach the consistency you like. You want it smooth and pourable, not watery.

Step 3: Taste, Adjust, and Serve

Here’s where the magic happens: taste it! Add more salt, lime, or maple syrup if needed. Sometimes I like to add a splash more lime for extra zing or an extra drizzle of maple syrup if the heat is too strong for me. Once you’re happy, it’s ready to enjoy.

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

Control the Heat: I discovered this trick when I learned to remove jalapeño seeds and veins for milder sauce—start with half a pepper and add more after tasting.
Use Warm Water: Adding warm, not cold, water helps tahini blend smoother without clumping, giving the sauce that silky texture.
Fresh Lime Juice is Key: Freshly squeezed lime juice brightens the sauce in a way bottled just can’t match, and it enhances all the flavors beautifully.
Avoid Over-Blending: I used to blend too long and end up with a runny sauce—stop once it’s creamy and smooth for the best texture.

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 love sprinkling a little extra chopped fresh cilantro over the sauce when serving—it makes it look so inviting and adds a fresh burst of flavor. A pinch of smoked paprika or a few nigella seeds on top also gives it a fun twist and gorgeous color contrast.

Side Dishes

This sauce is incredible over bowls of roasted vegetables, drizzled on falafel wraps, or as a salad dressing on crunchy kale or spring mix. My family goes crazy for it drizzled on roasted sweet potatoes with a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds—it’s become a favorite around here.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the sauce in little glass ramekins alongside a vibrant veggie platter or drizzle it artistically over grain bowls with colorful roasted veggies. It adds such a lively pop of color and flavor that always impresses guests without much effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually keep mine for up to 4 days, and it tastes just as fresh as day one—sometimes the flavors even deepen a bit! Just give it a good stir before serving.

Freezing

Freezing tahini sauce can change the texture slightly, so I usually freeze it only if I have a big batch. When frozen, store in small portions using ice cube trays or freezer containers, and thaw in the fridge overnight. Give it a good whisk before use to smooth it back out.

Reheating

This sauce is best served cold or room temperature. If you want to warm it slightly, just let it sit out for a few minutes or give it a quick gentle stir after adding a tiny splash of water to loosen it—never microwave directly, or the tahini can separate.

FAQs

Can I make this Spicy Green Tahini Sauce less spicy?

Absolutely! The heat mainly comes from the jalapeño seeds and veins, so removing those will soften the spice intensively. You can also start with half a jalapeño or substitute with a milder pepper like poblano, and always taste as you go to get the perfect spice level.
What can I use this sauce on?

This sauce is incredibly versatile! You can drizzle it on Buddha bowls, roasted or grilled veggies, grain salads, tacos, pita sandwiches, or even use it as a dip for fresh veggies or chips. Its creamy and spicy flavor complements so many dishes.
Is this sauce gluten-free?

Yes! The Spicy Green Tahini Sauce is naturally gluten-free as long as your tahini paste doesn’t contain any additives with gluten. Always check your ingredient labels to be sure.
How long does this sauce last in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container, this sauce will stay fresh and tasty for 4 to 5 days. Be sure to stir well before serving as it might thicken slightly over time.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Green Tahini Sauce (Vegan) Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s quick, delicious, and adds a fresh, spicy twist to so many meals. I love sharing it with friends because it’s always a hit, and the fact that it’s vegan and oil-free makes me feel good about serving it. Give this a try—I promise you’ll reach for it again and again, just like I do!