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    You are here: Home | Recipes | Condiments

    Lemon Tahini Dressing Recipe (with variations!)

    Sep 30, 2022 by Faith VanderMolen

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy to prepare, zesty and creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing is my go-to salad dressing whenever I'm in a pinch! We use it as a dressing for salads, drizzle it on wraps and drink it straight from the jar! Plus, there are so many different variations you can make so that you never get bored!

    Lemon tahini dressing being stirred with a spoon
    Jump To
    • Also Featured In
    • What is Tahini Anyway?
    • Basic Lemon Tahini Dressing Ingredients
    • How to Make Tahini Dressing
    • Different Variations of Tahini Dressing
    • How to Store Homemade Tahini Dressing
    • Best Uses for Tahini Dressing
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Lemon Tahini Dressing

    Also Featured In

    This recipe is also featured in the following vegan recipe roundups:

    • 11 Unique Vegan Mediterranean Recipes

    If you didn't know by now, I'm obsessed with tahini.

    I love it so much that I've found ways to include it in almost every kind of recipe, from Tahini Banana Bread, Easy Tahini Granola and even Chocolate Tahini No-Bake Cookies!

    While all the examples above are for sweeter snacks and dessert, I often use tahini as the base for most of our savory dressings and condiments.

    So, yeah.

    I love tahini!

    What is Tahini Anyway?

    a jar of white hulled tahini

    Tahini is basically the sesame seed version of peanut butter.

    To make tahini, sesame seeds are toasted, hulled and ground into a runny "butter" or paste.

    Tahini is often used as a dip on its own or used to make other items such as hummus, baba ganoush and halva.

    Different Kinds of Tahini

    While the most popular kind of tahini is white tahini, there is also different variations of white tahini and there is even black sesame tahini.

    What's the difference between each of these?

    • White tahini: This is made from white sesame seeds. It is most popular in Middle Eastern dishes and condiments such as hummus and baba ganoush.
    • Black tahini: This is simply tahini made from unhulled black sesame seeds. Black tahini is often found in sweet Asian desserts such as mochi or steamed buns.
    • Hulled tahini: This is made from sesame seeds that have had the outer covering, or hulls, removed. The iron and calcium content of hulled tahini is lower than unhulled.
    • Unhulled tahini: This is made from sesame seeds that still have their outer covering. The iron and calcium content of unhulled sesame seeds is substantially higher than hulled sesame seeds.

    Best Brands of Tahini

    The number of tahini brands available on the market is astounding...and probably overwhelming if you're new to purchasing and using tahini.

    Over the years I've found some brands that I love and buy on a regular basis. However, the brands I have access to may be different than the ones you can find at your local grocery store.

    Below I'll share with you some of my favorite brands as well as things to look for when trying out different brands of tahini.

    When you're looking to purchase tahini, you want to find and use a tahini that is super smooth and doesn't have a clump of paste at the bottom and a pool of oil at the top.

    While oil separating does occur naturally, I've found that the best brands don't have this issue.

    I love to use tahini that I've purchased from world markets or middle eastern grocery stores.

    As for specific brands, i love:

    • Ziyad Tahini
    • Simple Truth Organic Tahini from Kroger
    • Baron's Pure Tahini

    The runnier the better!

    Basic Lemon Tahini Dressing Ingredients

    a jar of tahini and a cut lemon showing the main ingredients for lemon tahini dressing

    This basic lemon tahini dressing is incredibly simple to make!

    I'm sure you already have most of the ingredients on hand, which are listed here:

    • Tahini
    • Lemon juice
    • Garlic
    • Salt and pepper
    • Water, to thin

    If you're really in a pinch, like I sometimes am, a simple dressing made from just tahini and lemon juice is just as delicious.

    However, if you have the time to include some fresh garlic and a pinch of salt, you'll end up with a more flavorful dressing.

    I'll be sharing different flavor variations to this basic recipe below!

    How to Make Tahini Dressing

    All you'll need to make this dressing are some measuring cups, measuring spoons, a sealable jar and a spoon to mix everything together.

    Once you make this dressing a few times, however, you can ditch the measuring equipment and just eyeball everything!

    lemon tahini dressing going from super runny to thick

    To make this basic Lemon Tahini Dressing, simply follow the step-by-step instructions below:

    • Place all of the ingredients, except for the water, into a glass jar and stir until a thick paste forms. This happens when an acid, such as lemon juice, combines with tahini.
    • Stir in water a little at a time until your desired consistency has been reached.

    Taste the dressing and add more salt for saltiness, lemon juice for zest, maple syrup for sweetness or black pepper for kick!

    basic lemon tahini dressing with fresh herbs added

    Different Variations of Tahini Dressing

    The best part of this tahini dressing is that it's easily adaptable.

    Below I'll share some different flavor variations that you can try to jazz up this basic lemon tahini dressing recipe!

    Sweet Lemon Tahini Dressing

    To balance out the bitterness of the tahini, to the basic lemon tahini dressing recipe add

    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin

    This is my go-to tahini dressing recipe as it seems to pair beautifully with so many dishes, especially vegan buddha bowls and salads!

    Lemon Miso Tahini Dressing

    To make lemon miso tahini dressing, to the basic lemon tahini dressing recipe.simply add:

    • 2 tablespoons of yellow or white miso

    This is one of my favorite dressings as it has rich umami flavor and makes for a great dressing or sauce for any asian-style recipe!

    Also, if you love miso, you'll love these Vegan Miso Noodles!

    Herby Lemon Tahini Dressing

    To add some freshness to your basic lemon tahini dressing add:

    • A handful of fresh cilantro
    • A handful of fresh parsley
    • 2 teaspoons of maple syrup

    Get creative and you'll find that you'll never get bored of this dressing!

    How to Store Homemade Tahini Dressing

    This dressing is best stored in a sealable jar in the fridge. Thanks to the lemon juice, the basic, sweet and miso variations of this dressing should last for about a week.

    The herby lemon tahini dressing should be enjoy more quickly as the fresh herbs may go bad.

    As this dressing sits in the fridge, it will most likely thicken up a little bit.

    To thin it out before using, simply stir in a little water until it reaches your desired consistency.

    lemon tahini dressing drizzled over crispy chickpeas and brown rice

    Best Uses for Tahini Dressing

    I love having some variation of this homemade lemon tahini dressing on hand because it seems to go so well with a bunch of different meals.

    Below I'll share some of our favorite ways to use tahini dressing.

    • Salad dressing
    • Condiment for wraps and sandwiches
    • Dip for veggies
    • Sauce for buddha bowls
    • Dressing for avocado toast
    • Sauce for pasta/noodles

    I'd love to know if you give this simple, easy to make Lemon Tahini Dressing a try!

    Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

    If you like it as much as we do, be sure to give the recipe a five star rating by clicking on the stars in the recipe card!

    Buddha bowls with brown rice, chickpeas and kale drizzled with homemade lemon tahini dressing

    📖 Recipe

    Lemon Tahini Dressing

    Faith VanderMolen
    This easy to prepare, zesty and creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing is my go-to salad dressing whenever I'm in a pinch!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Vegan Dressing Recipes
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 85 kcal

    Equipment

    • Regular-Mouth Glass Mason Jars, 16-Ounce

    Ingredients
     
     

    Basic Lemon Tahini Dressing

    • ½ cup tahini
    • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Water to thin

    Sweet Lemon Tahini Dressing

    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin

    Lemon Miso Tahini Dressing

    • 2 tablespoons white or yellow miso

    Herby Lemon Tahini Dressing

    • Handful fresh cilantro
    • Handful fresh parsley
    • 2 teaspoons maple syrup

    Instructions 

    • In a sealable jar, combine all of the ingredients for the basic recipe (except for the water) as well as the ingredients for one of the flavor variations if desired, and stir until a thick paste forms. If you are making the Herby Lemon Tahini Dressing Recipe, place all of the ingredients into a small blender including ¼ cup of water, and blend until smooth.
    • Add water a little at a time until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
    • Taste and add more salt for saltiness, maple syrup for sweetness, lemon juice for zest or pepper for kick!
    • Drizzle on salads, wraps or drink it straight from the jar!

    Notes

    This dressing is best stored in a sealable jar in the fridge. Thanks to the lemon juice, the basic, sweet and miso variations of this dressing should last for about a week.
    The herby lemon tahini dressing should be enjoy more quickly as the fresh herbs may go bad.
    As this dressing sits in the fridge, it will most likely thicken up a little bit.
    To thin it out before using, simply stir in a little water until it reaches your desired consistency.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 85kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 6mgPotassium: 81mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    More Condiments

    • Vegan Chipotle Mayo
    • Crack Sauce Recipe (AKA The Best Tahini Dressing!)
    • Cilantro Lime Sauce (Vegan!)
    • The Best Vegan Nacho Cheese Recipe


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