This creamy lemon tahini dressing is the perfect everyday plant-based dressing, delicious on salads, bowls, falafels, roasted vegetables, and so much more. It's made with a handful of ingredients, including tahini, fresh lemon juice, water, garlic, and seasoning!
What is tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from toasted ground hulled sesame. It's commonly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking as well as parts of North Africa.
Tahini is basically sesame seed butter. High-quality tahini is made from a single ingredient: toasted sesame seeds.
The first time I ever encountered tahini was years ago at a Middle Eastern restaurant. I stopped in to pick up a sandwich and the only vegetarian option available was a falafel wrap, which I had never had before. It was love at first bite. I couldn't get enough of the creamy delicious sauce and immediately wanted to know what it was. It was tahini.
How to make lemon tahini dressing
All you need is a bowl, a whisk, and your measuring cups and spoons! You'll need the following simple ingredients:
- Tahini
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- A clove of garlic, finely minced
- Water
- Sea salt + pepper
- Maple syrup (if you'd like to add a little sweetness)
Making the tahini is really quick and easy.
- In a small bowl, add the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup (if you're using), and salt and pepper.
- Whisk until it starts to become thick and creamy.
- Now add the water. You can either add it slowly if you like it thicker and for with the amount I mention in the recipe. At first, you may think "this doesn't look like dressing" but as
you continue to whisk, the dressing will become smooth and creamy - trust me!
And that's it. Either use the tahini dressing immediately or store it in a sealed glass jar in the fridge. It will stay fresh for
Serving suggestions
So now that you've made it, what should you use this delicious lemon tahini dressing for? Here are some of my favorite ways to use this simple dressing:
- Drizzle on salads or your next Buddha bowl
- Spread it on toast
- Dip raw veggies in it
- Add it to your smoothies
- Drizzle on falafels
- Use it to make hummus!
- Drizzle on roasted veggies, like this garlic roasted cauliflower!
- Add it to your homemade desserts -- hello, tahini brownies!
More easy dressing recipes
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup tahini
- ¼ cup water
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- pinch black pepper
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup, optional
Instructions
- Combine tahini, lemon juice, garlic, sea salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
- Whisk for about 30 seconds until it becomes thick and creamy.
- Add the water and whisk again until it's smooth and creamy - about a minute.
- Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Enjoy immediately or store in a glass jar.
Gina K Davis says
Fantastic and easy to make when you need a quick dressing/sauce!
Jeanne says
Love ! Not just for my black bean hummus anymore 😊
Tried it on my arugula, canned salmon , red onion, hearts of palm and artichoke hearts salad ......feeling !
Can't wait to serve it to friends , thanks 👍
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
That's amazing! I'm glad to hear that, Jeanne. I hope your friends like it. 🙂
Laura Matthys says
Made this to have on hand for power bowls. Haven't made one yet but used pieces of kale to wipe the mixing bowl clean and it is delicious! I doubled the recipe! Does it make a difference keeping it in a glass vs plastic container?
Thanks for a great recipe!
Felicia says
Lemony creamy delicious healthy
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, Felicia! It's one of my favorite dressings.
Krissy Allori says
Making this into a dressing was genius! It's so good!
Sapana Chandra says
So glad you enjoyed it, Krissy!
SHANIKA says
I love Tahini sauce but never thought to make a dressing and add lemon. Sounds so creamy and amazing!
Sapana Chandra says
It's a delicious combination!
Kelly Anthony says
I thought tahini tasted chalky but good to know that I just had a bad batch. I will look for the brand you suggested next time I'm at the store.
Sapana Chandra says
I totally get it - I've bought one too many batches of chalky tahini!
Beth Pierce says
What a sweet dressing! This will be delicious on my salad for dinner tonight! Yum!
Sapana Chandra says
So glad you loved it, Beth!
Matt Freund says
I like the sound of this dressing. I am going to have to give this a try. I live tahini in hummus.
Sapana Chandra says
I hope you enjoy it, Matt!
Riley says
Obsessed with this tahini. I’ve been using it on all my salads.
Sapana Chandra says
So glad to hear you love it!
Isabelle says
This was so easy to make and turned out perfect!
Sapana Chandra says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Vee says
This looks delicious!!!♡
Sapana Chandra says
Thanks, Vee! Hope you enjoy it!!