Looking for a simple (but delicious) creamy dressing? Then you're going to love this tasty Tahini Dressing! This scrumptious recipe takes minutes to make and the sesame, lemon, garlic flavor is so versatile ... use it on everything from salads to wraps, falafel, bowls, and more!
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I don't know about you, but I LOVE a versatile recipe ... and that's exactly what this mouthwatering Tahini Lemon Dressing is!
You are going to love this dressing's mouthwatering flavor and creamy texture, and the fact that it's so easy to make and ready in minutes. Best of all though, there are so many ways to use it!
Toss this velvety Tahini Sauce with salad greens, spoon it onto a grain bowl, drizzle it over platter of roasted vegetables, serve it with falafel, add it to a wrap or sandwich, and so much more. No matter how you serve it, one thing is for certain, you won't be able to resist this delightful dressing!
Ready to get started? Then keep reading for all the details!
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Ingredients
You need just a few ingredients to make this delicious recipe:
- Tahini - The star ingredient, of course! Tahini is a sesame seed paste / butter which has been used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking for thousands of years. It's available at many grocery stores these days, as well as specialty markets, and it's also readily available online. I used Tarazi Tahini this time (which was delish!), but I've used many other brands (Joyva and 365 are good + easy to find), with success too.
- Lemon - Fresh squeezed lemon is a must! It adds an acidic taste that brightens the sauce.
- Garlic - You'll also need some garlic. Because this recipe is so simple, make sure to start with fresh garlic, rather than pre-minced cloves and powders.
- Salt + Pepper - A little salt and pepper will bring out all the other flavors.
This healthy salad dressing is naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, and nut free, which means that almost anyone at your table can enjoy it!
How to Make Lemon Tahini Dressing
This homemade salad dressing couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Mix tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. Start by combining your three main ingredients—sesame paste, lemon juice, and minced garlic—in a medium bowl. I like to use a fork to mix everything together, but a spoon works great, too. At this point, the sauce with be quite thick. Tip: Tahini has a tendency to separate when stored. Before measuring it, make sure to give your jar a really good stir.
- Thin with water. Next, you're going to add just enough water to thin the dressing to a drizzling consistency (about two to three tablespoons total). To avoid thinning it too much, make sure to add the water one tablespoon (or less) at a time. Tip: If it does get too thin, just add a little extra tahini.
- Season to taste. Finish by seasoning the dressing to generously with salt, plus a grind or two of fresh-cracked pepper.
And that's all there is to it ... your basic Tahini Sauce is ready to use!
Variations
This recipe is delicious as-is, but it's also easy to customize with different flavors. Here are some ideas to try:
- Spicy - Love spicy foods? Stir in some cayenne or your favorite hot sauce.
- Maple - Mixing in a little maple syrup (a teaspoon or less) will give the recipe a little sweetness, and it will cut any bitterness, too.
- Herbs - Have a lot of fresh herbs on hand? Prepare this dressing in your food processor or high speed blender, and blend in a large handful of herbs (basil, flat-leaf parsley, dill, cilantro, chives, etc.) until smooth.
- Vinegar - If you're out of lemon, try using white wine, rice, or apple cider vinegar instead.
- Spices - Stir in your favorite warm spices, such as turmeric, cumin, ginger, cardamom, or even curry powder.
- Yogurt - For even creamier results, mix in about ½ to ⅔ cup of your favorite Greek yogurt. You can use the resulting sauce as a dip, or thin it with more water.
- Dip - If you'd like to turn this salad dressing into a dip, simply add a little less water.
- Other Ingredients - Other ingredients can be added too, like miso, fresh grated ginger, minced green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and more. Feel free to get creative once you've mastered this easy recipe!
How to Use
There are so many ways to use this versatile sauce! Here are a few of my faves:
- Salads - This recipe makes an amazing salad dressing! Toss it with a bowl of greens or chopped veggies (such as tomatoes and cucumbers), or use it on a heartier salad, like my favorite Bulgur Salad or this delish Kale, Quinoa, and Sweet Potato Salad.
- Bowls - I also love drizzling this dreamy dressing over veggie and grain bowls! Try pairing it with this Roasted Vegetable Bowl or this Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl.
- Wraps + Sandwiches - No wrap or sandwich is complete without a flavor-packed sauce! It would work great in this Halloumi Veggie Wrap, this Avocado and Tomato Sandwich, or this easy Veggie Wrap.
- Pasta Salad - Toss with your favorite veggies and pasta for a quick pasta salad! It would be super tasty in this Vegan Pasta Salad, Cold Noodle Salad, or Kale and Pasta Salad.
- Dipping Sauce - Add a little less water, and you've got a mouthwatering dip on your hands! I like serving it with fresh veggies and pita bread or Homemade Pita Chips.
- Veggies - Do your vegetables need a little perking up? Simply drizzle this creamy sauce over the top. I especially love serving it with steamed, sautéed or roasted vegetables. Try it with these Roasted Delicata Squash or these Roasted Root Veggies.
- Falafel - It also makes a super yummy falafel sauce. You can drizzle it over falafel, add it to a falafel sandwich, or serve it alongside as a dipping sauce.
Storage
Store any leftover Tahini Lemon Garlic Dressing in an airtight container in your refrigerator (mason jars work great for this!), where it will stay fresh for up to four days. When ready to serve, thin it with a little extra water before using, if needed. This recipe is also ideal for preparing in advance to save time on busy weeknights!
Related Recipes
Looking for more ways to use tahini? Check out these yummy Hummus recipes next! Searching for more Salad Recipes? You'll love these tasty ideas, too:
- Lemony - Try my popular and super easy Lemon and Olive Oil Dressing or this lovely Honey Lemon Salad Dressing.
- Sweet & Savory - If you enjoy a hint of sweetness, you'll love this yummy Maple Vinaigrette!
- Pesto - This Pesto Vinaigrette Dressing is bursting with fresh basil flavor.
- Classic - You can never go wrong with a traditional Red Wine Vinaigrette or this irresistible French Vinaigrette.
- Creamy - This unique Sour Cream Salad Dressing is light, tangy, and so delicious.
- Salad Toppers - Finish your salads with this Homemade Croutons or these flavorful Sourdough Croutons!
- More - Check out all of my Sauce and Condiment Recipes for more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Tahini is a sesame seed paste that has been used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking for thousands of years. You'll find it in everything from dips, such as hummus, to desserts, such as halvah. Tahini is made by grinding raw or toasted sesame seeds (and sometimes other ingredients, such as oil and salt) into a smooth paste.
Tahini tastes like sesame seeds. It has an earthy, nutty flavor, with a slightly bitter edge. Unlike other seed and nut butters, it isn't sweet.
Tahini can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place (such as a cupboard away from your stove), or it can be refrigerated. I typically store tahini in the refrigerator, which helps it last longer and slows separation. However, if your home is cool, and it only takes you a month or so to go through a jar, feel free to store it at room temperature. One note: once you mix tahini with other ingredients, as in this recipe, the dressing (or whatever else you've made) should be refrigerated.
Tahini has a natural sesame flavor that's slightly bitter. If your dressing tastes too bitter, try stirring in ½ to 1 teaspoon of maple syrup to counteract the bitterness.
Tahini Lemon Dressing
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup tahini
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- kosher salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Stir together tahini, lemon juice, and garlic in a medium bowl.
- Mix in just enough water—1 tablespoon (or less) at a time—to reach a drizzling consistency (about 2 to 3 tablespoons total).
- Season generously to taste with salt (about ½ to ¾ teaspoon), plus a few grinds peppers.
- Serve immediately, or store in refrigerator until ready to eat. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
