Tahini Dressing is the perfect creamy dressing recipe for Mediterranean dishes. Add this easy and quick DIY recipe to your salads, and roasted vegetables!
We love making this vegan Tahini dressing! One of the best parts is how versatile it is, and it keeps for over a week. This has quickly become a family staple for bowls, salads, and vegetables.
How to use Tahini Dressing? With so many possibilities, tahini dressing might just become your new go-to! You can put it on wedge salad, cucumbers, Mediterranean dishes, and more!
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What Goes in Tahini Dressing?
What is Tahini Dressing made of? This quick and easy recipe uses kitchen staples. You will need to have tahini on hand as well.
- Tahini- You can find tahini in most grocery stores near the peanut butter.
- Lemon juice- We love the zesty flavor lemon juice adds. You can also substitute it with apple cider vinegar, lime juice, or balsamic vinegar for a different taste profile.
- Olive oil- This is a great oil to use in the dressing. It gives it a complimentary flavor and perfect texture.
- Maple syrup- Because tahini is bitter in nature, the maple syrup helps sweeten it up. It doesn't make a sweet dressing, it just cuts back the bitterness of the tahini. You can also use honey, though the recipe will no longer be vegan.
- Garlic- Add minced garlic for the best flavor. You can also use garlic powder in a pinch.
- Salt and Pepper- To taste.
- Water- Must be cold for the recipe to work!
- Dijon mustard- This is optional, but we really love the extra flavor it brings to the dressing.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Tahini Dressing
Making this recipe is quick and easy. You'll love the DIY dressing!
- Add all the ingredients to bowl or jar with a lid.
- Shake the jar, if using a jar with a lid. Or use a whisk to combine all of the ingredients until smooth.
- Check the consistency and add cold water. Make sure to add a little water at a time until it's the consistency you want.
- Once it's the right consistency, store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Hint: For more flavor options add chopped fresh herbs like dill, cilantro, or parsley for some fresh flavors!
Substitutions and Variations
This dressing is great for adjusting to the salad you are making. Here are some great substitutions to add various flavors.
- Ranch- Add a tablespoon at a time of your favorite ranch until you reach the flavor you'd like.
- Greek Yogurt- Stir dressing into ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt for an extra creamy dressing.
- Ginger- For a more Asain-inspired dressing, add ¼ teaspoon of crushed ginger or a pinch of ground ginger.
- Green/cilantro- Place lemon juice, maple syrup, and olive oil in a smoothie cup blender with 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro or dill, blend until smooth then add to the rest of the ingredients. You can also try our Lemon Herb Tahini recipe which uses parsley.
- Sweet- For a sweet dressing, triple the syrup.
- Soy sauce- Add 1 Tablespoon soy sauce and then omit the salt. This will give you a soy sauce, Asian-inspired, dressing.
- Avocado- Stir into ⅓ cup mashed avocado. You will need to add more water to help thin the consistency. It will taste similar to our Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing.
- Turmeric- Add ½ teaspoon turmeric, then to taste.
- Pickle juice- For a dill-inspired dressing add 1 tablespoon of pickle juice and dried or fresh dill sprigs.
- Spicy- Make it spicy by adding ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, then more to taste. You can also add sriracha by adding 1 teaspoon and then more to taste.
What to serve with Tahini Dressing
Tahini dressing pairs perfectly with so many dishes, bringing a creamy, nutty depth to every bite! Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, like roasted cauliflower.
It’s a fantastic topping for hearty grain bowls, quinoa salads, and even a kale salad, balancing bitterness with a savory, tangy kick. Try it with our Autumn Harvest Bowl.
The best meals to have it with are Mediterranean dishes like falafel and is amazing over roasted beets or a carrot salad. Try it with a chickpea or lentil salad, or add it to a buddha bowl for a deliciously balanced, protein-packed meal.
It pairs great with our chicken shawarma and classic hummus recipe.
What does Tahini Dressing taste like?
Tahini dressing has a unique flavor that’s both rich and slightly nutty, with a hint of bitterness. Its natural sweetness balances this slight bitterness, while a touch of tanginess from lemon brings a fresh flavor.
When combined, these flavors create a creamy, savory dressing that enhances salads, grain bowls, and roasted veggies. Tahini dressing is bold, earthy, and a little addictive—a perfect complement to warm, hearty dishes!
Storage
Tahini dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to a few weeks, making it a convenient addition to your meal prep routine. Over time, it may thicken a bit, but don’t worry—that’s an easy fix! Simply add a splash of water or lemon juice to thin it out, stirring until you reach the desired consistency. Just remember to add liquid slowly, a little at a time, to keep it perfectly creamy. This way, you’ll have delicious, ready-to-use tahini dressing on hand anytime!
Top tip
You must use cold water for this recipe. It makes sure it emulsifies and binds together. If you use warm water it can make the texture really weird.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup tahini
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2-4 teaspoons maple syrup see note 1
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- black pepper to taste, optional
- 1-6 Tablespoons COLD water
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard optional, see note 2
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl add tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, garlic, salt 1 Tablespoon water, and dijon and pepper (if using). Whisk together until well combined. It'll be creamy and smooth and so yummy looking. Add water 1 Tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Tahini can sometimes be bitter. We like our tahini dressing to be only lightly sweetened, but adding extra maple syrup can help cut the bitterness. Add as much or as little as you'd like!
- A lot of tahini dressings include dijon mustard. We think it gives it a nice tang and love to add it, but if you dislike mustard, leave it out.
- Try adding chopped fresh herbs like dill, cilantro or parsley for some fresh flavors!
- If it becomes a little thick while storing, simply add a little cold water or lemon juice to thin it out.
- Cold water is super important!! It makes sure it emulsifies and binds together. If you use warm water it can make the texture really weird.
- If the flavor is too sharp, try adding another teaspoon or so of olive oil to help mellow out the flavor.
Andrea says
We love this dressing! It goes so well with salads, bowls, and dipping falafel!