10 Best Falafel Sauce Recipes

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
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• 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 creamy Yogurt-Dill Sauce goes 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 Mediterranean foods. 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

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