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    Home » Recipes » Dressings & Sauces

    Lemon Tahini Dressing

    Published: Jan 9, 2019 · Updated: Apr 7, 2020 by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 22 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A jar of lemon tahini dressing

    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!

    A jar of creamy lemon tahini dressing.

    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.

    Step-by-step instructions on how to make homemade lemon tahini dressing.

    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.

    1. In a small bowl, add the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup (if you're using), and salt and pepper.
    2. Whisk until it starts to become thick and creamy.
    3. 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 a about 3 days.

    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!
    Weck jar filled with homemade lemon tahini dressing

    More easy dressing recipes

    • Avocado Lime Dressing
    • Balsamic Vinaigrette
    • Lemon Vinaigrette

    I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! Sign up for my email updates to get delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

    Lemon Tahini Dressing

    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Total time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 66kcal
    Author: Sapana Chandra
    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.

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 66kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 101mg, Potassium: 58mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg
    Course: Dressings
    Cuisine: American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @realandvibrant and hashtag #realandvibrant!
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    About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC

    Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gina K Davis says

      August 06, 2021 at 5:58 am

      Fantastic and easy to make when you need a quick dressing/sauce!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Jeanne says

      August 25, 2020 at 12:31 pm

      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 👍

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        September 24, 2020 at 6:08 pm

        That's amazing! I'm glad to hear that, Jeanne. I hope your friends like it. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Laura Matthys says

      July 29, 2020 at 12:59 pm

      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!

      Reply
    4. Felicia says

      July 09, 2020 at 5:23 am

      Lemony creamy delicious healthy5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        July 13, 2020 at 12:30 pm

        So happy to hear you enjoyed it, Felicia! It's one of my favorite dressings.

        Reply
    5. Krissy Allori says

      August 21, 2019 at 3:49 pm

      Making this into a dressing was genius! It's so good!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        August 26, 2019 at 10:36 am

        So glad you enjoyed it, Krissy!

        Reply
    6. SHANIKA says

      August 21, 2019 at 2:35 pm

      I love Tahini sauce but never thought to make a dressing and add lemon. Sounds so creamy and amazing!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        August 26, 2019 at 10:36 am

        It's a delicious combination!

        Reply
    7. Kelly Anthony says

      August 21, 2019 at 2:25 pm

      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.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        August 26, 2019 at 10:37 am

        I totally get it - I've bought one too many batches of chalky tahini!

        Reply
    8. Beth Pierce says

      August 21, 2019 at 12:32 pm

      What a sweet dressing! This will be delicious on my salad for dinner tonight! Yum!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        August 26, 2019 at 10:37 am

        So glad you loved it, Beth!

        Reply
    9. Matt Freund says

      August 21, 2019 at 12:21 pm

      I like the sound of this dressing. I am going to have to give this a try. I live tahini in hummus.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        August 26, 2019 at 10:37 am

        I hope you enjoy it, Matt!

        Reply
    10. Riley says

      February 25, 2019 at 1:21 am

      Obsessed with this tahini. I’ve been using it on all my salads.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        February 25, 2019 at 10:02 am

        So glad to hear you love it!

        Reply
    11. Isabelle says

      January 31, 2019 at 6:10 am

      This was so easy to make and turned out perfect!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        February 28, 2019 at 3:26 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    12. Vee says

      January 12, 2019 at 10:15 am

      This looks delicious!!!♡5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        January 12, 2019 at 10:28 am

        Thanks, Vee! Hope you enjoy it!!

        Reply

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    Sapana Chandra

    Hi, I'm Sapana! I’m a recipe developer and author of the cookbook Plant Power Bowls. Here you'll find simple, delicious, vegetarian recipes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Learn more about me

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