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Wondering what the best sauce to serve with falafel is? I've got you covered with this handy list of 10 best sauce recipes, including the classic tahini lemon sauce, tzatziki, Mediterranean yogurt-based sauces and more.
Jump to:
- What is falafel
- How is falafel served
- Is falafel served with tahini, tzatziki or hummus?
- Best falafel sauce ideas
- Creamy Lemon Tahini Sauce
- Thick Greek Tzatziki Dip
- Fresh Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing/Sauce
- Creamy Yogurt-Dill Sauce with Feta
- Easy Garlic Kebab Sauce
- Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce
- Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Sauce)
- Garlic Dipping Sauce (Lebanese Toum)
- Turkish Red Pepper and Walnut Dip (Muhammara)
- Vegan Tzatziki
- Recipe
- You may also like
- Meet the Author
What is falafel
Falafel is a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dish made with a mixture of ground chickpeas, onion, garlic, fresh herbs and spices. It is typically rolled into round balls or shaped into discs or patties and deep fried until golden brown. Falafel originates from Egypt where fava beans are traditionally used instead of chickpeas but it has become a popular dish in most Middle Eastern cuisines, including Lebanese, Turkish, Moroccan and Israeli.
Though typically deep fried in oil, falafel patties can also be baked or air fried for a healthier verison of this iconic vegetarian dish. Check out my Easy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe that uses canned chickpeas and as long as you have a food processor, it requires very little time to make. It comes out is wonderfully crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy inside!
How is falafel served
Falafel can be served in many different ways but it is ALWAYS better with a sauce, either for dipping or for drizzling. Here are the most popular ways to serve this Middle Eastern food staple:
- On its own as appetizer, often sprinkled with sesame seeds and served with a side of a dipping sauce (check the sauce list below for options!)
- As part of a mezze platter or Falafel Platter, accompanied by fresh pita bread, olives, veggies, pickles and dips
- In a falafel sandwich, typically in a pita pocket with greens, veggies and tasty sauce
- On top of salads served a bed of greens and veggies, drizzled with salad dressing or falafel sauce
- In a tortilla wrap or in this Greek-inspired Falafel Gyro (homemade falafel is wrapped in pita with greens, tomatoes, red onion and tzatziki sauce)
Is falafel served with tahini, tzatziki or hummus?
The short answer is: it depends. In its most traditional form, falafel balls are served with thick lemon tahini dressing made with thick tahini paste (made of sesame seeds), fresh lemon juice, garlic and water (find out how to make it in recipe card at the bottom of this post). This sauce almost always accompanies falafel in Israel and Arab countried of the Middle East. However, because falafel is popular in the whole Mediterranean region and globally at restaurants and take out joints, it is often enjoyed with other sauces and dips, most typically hummus, tzatziki and other yogurt-based sauces.
Best falafel sauce ideas
No matter if you're serving your own falafel or make it from a store-bought mix, you will definitely need a bowl of delicious sauce to go with it. Here is a list of my favorite Middle Eastern and Mediterranean inspired sauces that go exceptionally well with falafel.
Creamy Lemon Tahini Sauce
This super simple Lemon Tahini Sauce is the most traditional sauce served with falafel in the Middle East. It's tangy, nutty, garlicky and velvety smooth. It's also incredibly versatile - use it as thick dipping sauce ot thin it out with cold water to make it pourable which makes it perfect as delicious salad dressing. Learn how to make it in the recipe card below!
Thick Greek Tzatziki Dip
Thick Greek tzatziki dip is made with strained yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic and a secret ingredient that makes it super creamy. This authentic recipe is insanely good and perfect for dipping falafel in. Get recipe
Fresh Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing/Sauce
This lemon herb tahini recipe needs only 9 fresh, raw ingredients, and no cooking is involved. Just take your blender, add all ingredients and make this refreshing and earthy sauce in 5 minutes! You will have a nutty, tangy, and green tahini dressing in no time which pairs well with many dishes. Get recipe
Creamy Yogurt-Dill Sauce with Feta
This creamyYogurt-Dill Saucegoes together in just minutes, and is delicious as a dip, dressing, or sauce. Light and fresh, it pairs well with many Greek, Middle Eastern, and Mediterraneanfoods. Get recipe
Easy Garlic Kebab Sauce
Garlic Kebab Sauce is so easy to make at home. With only 5 ingredients this delicious creamy garlicky sauce is ready in just minutes. Serve this Greek garlic sauce slathered over falafel, beef kafta, hot doner, Greek chicken or even as a simple salad dressing. Get recipe
Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce
Learn how to make the best Turkish kebab shop chilli sauce with this homemade recipe. It’s so easy to make and packed full of flavour; you’re going to be pouring this sauce on everything! Get recipe
Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Sauce)
Haydari is a delicious Turkish Yoghurt Dip made with feta cheese, thick strained yogurt, fresh herbs, and chopped walnuts. This tangy dip is one of the most popular mezes in Turkey and also is widely served in Turkish restaurants with kebabs. Perfect for falafel, too! Get recipe
Garlic Dipping Sauce (Lebanese Toum)
Lebanese Garlic Sauce is a thick, creamy sauce with an intense garlic flavor. It is wonderfully delicious served on grilled meats, falafel and shawarma but it can be used on practically anything.This garlicky sauce is dairy-free. Get recipe
Turkish Red Pepper and Walnut Dip (Muhammara)
Muhammara is a savory Turkish red pepper and walnut dip flavored with pomegranate molasses and warm spices. Perfect for falafel, grilled meats or simple pita bread. Get recipe
Vegan Tzatziki
Thick and tangy, this vegan tzatziki is the ultimate summer side dish. Light and refreshing cucumber combined with creamy and garlicky vegan yogurt makes this delicious dip irresistible! Use oat milk yogurt for best results. Get recipe
If you like this compilation ofFalafel Saucesbe sure to leave me a comment and give this recipe a rating. I would love to hear from you and see how it turned out for you! You can also share and tag me onInstagram!
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Recipe
Easy Lemon Tahini Falafel Sauce
This super simple lemon tahini sauce is the most traditional sauce served with falafel in the Middle East. It's tangy, nutty, garlicky and velvety smooth. It's also incredibly versatile - use it as thick dipping sauce ot thin it out with cold water to make it pourable which makes it perfect as delicious salad dressing.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: condiment
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 92kcal
Author: Agnieszka
Ingredients
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2-3 tablespoon lemon juice (1 medium lemon)
- 1 garlic clove pressed or minced
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2-4 tablespoon cold water
Instructions
In a small bowl whisk together tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt. The mixture will be thin at first but it will thicken after a few minutes.
Slowly add 2 tablespoons of water and keep whisking to thin the sauce out. If you want it thinner, add more water to reach the desired consistency.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. You can also freeze it, if you want. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
The amount of water will depend on the desired consistency. Add less water if the sauce is meant for dipping and more water if it's meant to be drizzled or used as salad dressing.
Some brands of tahini are thicker than others. If your tahini looks split (with a layer of oil on top), stir it thoroughly until smooth before using. I like Mighty Sesame Co Organic Tahini because it's smooth, creamy and easily sueezable which makes it ready to use.
Taste the sauce and adjust the flavor and consistency by adding more lemon juice, salt, garlic or water. I find that if this sauce sits for a while, it becomes thicker so I tend to add a drop of cold water again right before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
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Meet the Author
Hi, I'm Agnieszka. I'm a mom of three and recipe developer, writer and photographer behind Wholly Tasteful. I love creating comforting, delicious, family-friendly recipes that you can feel good about.
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