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If you love a creamy, tangy, and incredibly simple salad dressing, then you have to try this homemade Tahini Salad Dressing recipe! It’s the kind of dressing you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again.
It’s healthy, quick to whip up, and perfect for drizzling over your favorite salads, veggies, or even as a dip for fresh pita. Trust me, once you’ve tried this, store-bought dressings will seem like a thing of the past.
Why I Love This Dressing
My Tahini Dressing is an absolute breeze to make. You don’t need any fancy ingredients, and the best part is, it’s versatile! Whether you’re throwing together a house salad, drizzling it over grilled vegetables, or tossing it into a bowl of Easy Sesame Noodles, this dressing is like a flavor bomb.
The balance of tahini, lemon, and apple cider vinegar gives it the perfect tanginess, while the honey and dijon mustard add a little sweetness and sharpness. It’s truly the kind of dressing I keep on hand at all times.
Ingredients For This Tahini Dressing
Here’s what you’ll need to make this creamy, tangy goodness:
- Olive Oil – A high-quality extra virgin olive oil adds richness and a smooth base to the dressing. If you don’t have olive oil, you can substitute with avocado oil, which also has a mild flavor and healthy fats.
- Tahini Paste – This sesame-based paste is the star ingredient, giving the dressing its smooth, creamy texture and nutty flavor. If you can’t find tahini, you can substitute with peanut butter or almond butter for a different nutty twist.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice brings bright acidity that balances out the richness of the tahini. If you’re out of lemons, try using lime juice as a tangy alternative.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds a bit more acidity and depth. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or even rice vinegar will work well.
- Dijon Mustard – I love using dijon mustard because it gives dressings the right amount of sharpness. You can swap it with yellow mustard or skip it entirely for a milder flavor.
- Honey – A touch of sweetness from honey balances the tangy lemon and vinegar. If you prefer a vegan version, maple syrup or agave syrup are great substitutes.
- Smoked Paprika – This adds a subtle smokiness that complements the tahini perfectly. If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika will do, but you might miss that smokey depth.
- Kosher Salt – Adds the right amount of seasoning. If you’re using fine sea salt, reduce the amount slightly since it’s more concentrated.
- Black Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper gives a little bite and rounds out the flavors.
How to Make Tahini Salad Dressing
Making this dressing is so simple, you could whip up a fresh batch in under 2 minutes.
- Combine the ingredients: In a measuring cup or jar, add all your ingredients except the water.
- Whisk it together: Use a whisk to blend everything together until it’s smooth and well combined.
- Adjust the consistency: Add the cold water while whisking until the dressing becomes smooth and creamy. You can add more water depending on how thick or thin you like your dressing.
- Taste and adjust: Give it a taste, and feel free to add more lemon juice, vinegar, salt, or pepper to suit your preferences.
That’’s it! Now you have a creamy, tangy, and flavorful tahini dressing ready to amp up your favorite recipes.
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover Tahini Dressing? You’ll be happy to have it! This dressing stores really well in the fridge for about 5-7 days. Just make sure to keep it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
If you find the dressing has thickened up too much in the fridge, no worries! Simply stir in a little bit of water or extra rice vinegar to get it back to the desired consistency.
Kellie’s Tips for the Best Tahini Dressing
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a bright, tangy flavor that bottled lemon juice can’t quite replicate.
Taste as you go: It’s always a good idea to taste your dressing before serving and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You may want it a little tangier or saltier—play around until it’s perfect for you!
Make it in advance: This dressing is even better after a day or two in the fridge when the flavors have had time to meld together. It’s the perfect make-ahead dressing!
What to Serve with Tahini Salad Dressing
This Tahini Dressing is super versatile and goes with anything. Here are my favorite ways to showcase it.
- Grilled or roasted veggies – Drizzle it over roasted sweet potatoes, carrots, or roasted zucchini.
- Grain bowls – Pour it over quinoa or jasmine rice, and toss in some roasted chickpeas and fresh greens.
- Salads – Obviously! It’s fantastic on salads, especially those with kale, arugula, or spinach.
- Falafel – Pair this dressing with crispy falafel for a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- Pita or veggie dips – Use it as a dip for your favorite pita bread or crudite platter.
More Easy Salad Dressing Recipes
If you love this Tahini Salad Dressing, be sure to check out some of my other easy, homemade dressings:
- Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing – A silky and smooth dressing that’s perfect for any salad.
- Lemon Vinaigrette – Tangy and fresh, with a punch of lemon that’s great for any green salad.
- Cilantro Lime Dressing – A zesty and herby dressing that’s a crowd favorite for taco salads.
- Honey Mustard Dressing – A classic sweet and tangy dressing that pairs perfectly with greens or grilled chicken.
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Tahini Salad Dressing Recipe
Equipment
- whisk
- measuring spoons
- chef's knife
- mini food processor optional
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup tahini paste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or fine sea sal
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- In a measuring cup or jar, combine the olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, honey, paprika, salt and black pepper. Whisk until blended.
- Slowly stream in the cold water while whisking until combined. The dressing will become smooth and creamy.
- Season to taste with more lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper. If your dressing is too thick, add a bit more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Notes
- Adjust the consistency by adding more cold water 1 tablespoon at a time if the dressing is too thick.
- For a vegan version, swap honey for maple syrup or agave nectar.
- This dressing will last in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
