This easy-to-make simple Lemon Tahini Dressing is not only for salads! It's also delicious on grilled or roasted vegetables or as a mayonnaise-free dressing for potato salad! Made with tahini, lemon, and garlic, this is an easy tahini dressing recipe.
I wasn't much of a tahini fan . . . until I made this simple lemon tahini dressing. It made me a convert!
I love varying the dressings I use on my daily salad. With a simple switch of dressing and a different salad ingredient or two, I can change a salad from one culture to another! For example, I use an Indonesian style peanut sauce dressing on this Asian Broccoli Salad with Peanut Dressing and a sesame miso dressing on this Broccoli Quinoa Salad.
Your dressing can be a source of added nutrients, too. Take this Hollyhock Nutritional Yeast Salad Dressing (fondly known as Nooch dressing), for example. Besides adding incredible flavour, nutritional yeast is full of protein, essential minerals and B vitamins!
And this tahini salad dressing recipe is both nutritious and delicious!
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🛒 Ingredients
A simple, short list of ingredients is all you'll need to make this little jar of yum! You'll need sesame tahini, a lemon, olive oil, a clove of garlic, a pinch of sea salt and some warm water. That's it!
🥄 Instructions
Ready in 5 minutes!
Simply combine sesame tahini with lemon juice, lemon zest, minced or grated garlic and thin it with a little olive oil and warm water. Season with salt to taste. If you find it is too lemony for your taste, you can easily balance the flavour by adding a teaspoon or two of maple syrup.
A mini food processor or blender works well for this recipe, but it's just as easy to simply shake it all together in a small jar.
Too thick? Add a little more warm water, a teaspoon or so at a time.
1. Grate lemon zest and squeeze the lemon. 2. Grate or mince the garlic. 3. Start by adding the lemon juice and zest to a small jar. 4. Next, add the tahini. 5. Add the oil, garlic and warm water. 6. Shake, shake, shake to emulsify!
❓What is tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from hulled sesame seeds. It is commonly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern recipes.
You'll find it in your grocery store, either with the nut butters, oils, and condiments or in the ethnic foods aisle.
It's not only the creamy, vibrant taste that I've learned to love, I like it because it's a healthy option too.
While tahini has the consistency of peanut butter, it is much higher in calcium and protein and has lower levels of saturated fat. It's suitable for all diets: keto, paleo, and vegan!
Sesame tahini is a common ingredient in hummus and Baba Ganoush, but it's a versatile ingredient that can be used in many ways. So nutritious and so delicious!
🍽 More ways to use lemon tahini dressing
I've discovered that this tahini dressing's light, lemon flavour is the perfect topping for roasted asparagus. Just a light drizzle is all that's needed to dress up plain asparagus! Try this Oven-Roasted or Air Fryer Lemon Tahini Asparagus. So good!
I also use this dressing on kale salad, and on grilled or roasted vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower. It makes a deliciously light mayo-free dressing for my Springtime Potato Salad.
It also makes an ideal dip for these Crispy Baked Zucchini Patties, too. A little dollop on top adds lots of flavour to these already tasty fritters.
Serve it as a dip with fresh veggie sticks, drizzle it on falafel, or on pretty much anything, . . . or everything! Try it on these Lemon Tahini Roasted Vegetables. Yum!
Reader's Questions
Tahini is easy to find in grocery stores and supermarkets. It is often shelved with nut butters or other condiments. You'll find many organic varieties on Amazon as well.
Yes! This vegan tahini dressing recipe is also suitable for keto and paleo diets as well.
⏰ How long to store tahini salad dressing
Once your jar of tahini is opened, it will last in the fridge for a month or more. Refrigerate this vegan lemon tahini dressing and it will stay fresh for a week or so. Give it a good shake if you find it has separated.
What will you try this lemon tahini dressing on first? Let me know in the comments section below.
🗒More healthy salad recipes
This post was originally published in 2016. It has been updated with new information and photos
When you make this tahini dressing recipe, please leave a comment and a rating below. I love hearing from you! Subscribe to my newsletter and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox once a week.
📖 Recipe Card
Simple Lemon Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup sesame tahini
- 1 medium lemon, zest and juice of
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 pinch dried chili flakes for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Add lemon juice and zest to a small jar. Next add sesame tahini, followed by minced garlic, oil, warm water and salt. Shake to emulsify. Alternatively, put all ingredients except chili flakes in a mini food processor or blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Serve with roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli or cauliflower. or use as a dressing for potato salad or as a veggie dip. Sprinkle with dried chili flakes, if desired.
Arlone Moore
Elaine,,,,made this for a veggie dip platter. Was a HIT! Will use on my salad tonight as well. I’m always looking for new & nutrition packed dressings & dips. Thank you !
Elaine
Hi Arlone, That's great to hear! Thanks so much for the 5-star rating! It really helps with my google rankings.
Nell
Amazing! We had this on a green salad tonight. Can't wait to try it on roasted veggies next! Thanks!
Elaine
Thanks for the 5 stars! I know you'll love it on veggies, too!