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Home » Recipes » Salads

Tahini Dressing

Modified: Apr 1, 2025 · Published: Feb 11, 2021 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 832 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article.

Jump to Recipe
Lemon tahini salad dressing recipe.
Lemon tahini salad dressing recipe.
Lemon tahini salad dressing recipe.

Tahini dressing is a tangy, savory dressing that's the perfect topping for your next salad. It's made with simple ingredients and has a savory, nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness.

Metal spoon in a bowl of salad dressing.

Why you'll love this recipe

Flavor: Rich, nutty, bright, tangy.

Simple ingredients. Made with tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and garlic.

Perfect for a variety of dietary needs. This dressing is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan!

Variety of uses. Use as a salad dressing, add to a veggie tray, or use as a dipping sauce for roasted vegetables.

Use on: Garden Salad or Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus

Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients and substitutions
  • How to make tahini dressing
  • Tips and tricks
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Recommended
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Comments

Ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients on a counter top.
  • Tahini - Tahini can often be found in the international section of your local grocery store. For this particular recipe, runny, thin tahini is ideal (not the thicker stuff at the bottom of the jar).
  • Lemon - I highly suggest grabbing a lemon for this recipe, not lemon concentrate from a bottle. Using juice from a lemon adds a bright, fresh flavor to this dressing that can't be beat.
  • Maple syrup - Can be substituted with honey (keep in mind your dressing will no longer be vegan with this substitution).
  • Dijon mustard - Regular yellow mustard will work in a pinch. Mustard is added not only for tangy flavor, but as an emulsifier. It helps stabilize the other ingredients and create a cohesive dressing.
  • Garlic - One clove of garlic can be substituted with ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
  • Salt & pepper - Adds flavor to the dressing. Red pepper flakes can be added for a little heat.

How to make tahini dressing

  1. Add tahini and water to a bowl, whisking until smooth.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and whisk to incorporate.
  3. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Whisk in a bowl of tahini salad dressing.

Tips and tricks

Use a whisk - To fully incorporate your ingredients together, use a whisk. The dressing ingredients need to be combined thoroughly to incorporate the Dijon mustard, which acts as an emulsifier.

How to balance the bitter - Tahini is a bitter ingredient on its own, but adds an amazing savory and nutty flavor when combined with other ingredients. The best way to balance bitter flavor is with salty, sour, and sweet flavors. That's why it's important to include all of the listed ingredients, especially the salt, maple syrup, and lemon juice.

Frequently asked questions

A metal spoon filled with salad dressing.
What is tahini?

Tahini a smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds that's similar to peanut butter. It is a common ingredient in dishes like hummus and baba ghanoush and is widely used in Middle Eastern cooking. It has a nutty, earthy flavor, and may taste slightly bitter when compared to a sweet nut butter, like peanut butter.

How do I make my dressing sweeter?

If you'd like to make your dressing sweeter, add a small amount of maple syrup (1 teaspoon at a time), mix, and do another taste test. Remember, it's much easier to add more but much harder to fix if you add too much.

How do I make my dressing tangier?

Add more dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon at a time, and do a taste test. This adds a sharper, tangier flavor to the dressing.

How long does tahini dressing last?

Your homemade lemon tahini dressing will last for up to a week in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Why did my dressing get thick after refrigerating?

Your dressing will thicken slightly when cold. Set it out at room temperature for up to 30 minutes before serving to thin it back out. If your dressing gets too thick, add a splash of water and whisk to combine.

Why is my tahini dressing bitter?

Tahini can taste bitter on its own. It's important not to omit any of the other ingredients, especially the salt, lemon juice, and maple syrup, which help balance the flavors of the dressing. If your dressing tastes bitter after preparing, add a bit more maple syrup and a pinch of salt, then whisk to incorporate.

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📖 Recipe

Metal spoon in a bowl of salad dressing.
Pin Print Rate
4.77 from 13 reviews

Tahini Dressing

Tahini dressing is a tangy, savory dressing that's the perfect topping for your next salad. It's made with simple ingredients and has a savory, nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Prep Time5 minutes minutes
Total Time5 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 72kcal
Author: Heather

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup tahini
  • ⅓ cup cold water
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
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Instructions

  • In a bowl, add tahini and water. Whisk until smooth.
  • Add lemon juice, dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk to incorporate.
  • Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Equipment Recommendations

  • OXO Metal Balloon Whisk
  • Pyrex Liquid Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Dry Measuring Cups

Notes

  • Yield: This recipe makes about 1 cup of dressing. 1 serving = about 2 tablespoons
  • To make dressing sweeter: Add maple syrup 1 teaspoon at a time, mix, and do a taste test until desired flavor is achieved.
  • To make dressing tangier: Add dijon mustard 1 teaspoon at a time, mix, and do a taste test until desired flavor is achieved.

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 317mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American

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Heather of The Toasty Kitchen

Hi, I'm Heather!

I love cooking with simple, everyday ingredients and want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

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