We both love this tahini dressing. Of all the salad dressing recipes we have shared, this tahini-based dressing is the one you will most likely find in our fridge. It’s creamy, flavorful, and works drizzled over just about anything. Think hearty salads, grain bowls, roasted veggies, and even as a sauce for meats or seafood.
Watch the video
We have many homemade salad dressings on Inspired Taste. Still, this tahini dressing is the one I have in my fridge the most often. It’s similar to our creamy tahini sauce but with more lemon juice, maple syrup, and toasted sesame oil to make it extra delicious.
We hope you try this easy dressing. It is perfectly creamy and made without any dairy or mayo! I love it with fresh salad greens and drizzled over cooked grains like quinoa. It can also be used as a sauce for veggies and meats. A total keeper! I especially love it for these quinoa and veggie bowls.
Key ingredients for tahini dressing
- Tahini — The base of our dressing. Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds. Before measuring your tahini, give it a good stir so that it’s runny and smooth. Buy it or make it yourself. Here’s how we make tahini. We first started making homemade tahini when we shared this hummus recipe and haven’t looked back.
- Fresh garlic and lemon juice — Make the dressing fresh and delicious! Lemon + garlic + tahini is such a classic combination.
- Olive oil — Thins out the tahini and adds richness.
- Maple syrup — Sweetens the dressing just enough. You can substitute with honey if not vegan or use agave nectar.
- Toasted sesame oil — My secret ingredient for crave-worthy dressings and sauces! It adds a nutty flavor that complements the tahini so well.
- Smoked paprika — Balances the maple syrup and adds a hint of smokiness. It really makes this tahini dressing pop.
How to make tahini dressing
To make our tahini dressing, whisk everything together. The tahini thickens a little on you initially. As you whisk in the water and other ingredients, it should relax and become a creamy dressing.
Storing tips
Homemade tahini dressing will last stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Ways to use tahini dressing
Use this simple tahini dressing on just about anything, but here are a few of our favorites:
- Greens like kale, romaine, or baby lettuce
- Crunchy veggies like bell peppers, carrots, and cucumber
- Toss with cooked or canned beans, like chickpeas
- It’s fantastic drizzled over cooked grains like quinoa or farro
- Spoon it over roasted vegetables
- Make these easy chickpea bowls
More recipes to try
- More mayo-free dressings: I love this honey mustard dressing, our basic balsamic vinaigrette, and herby Italian dressing.
- More tahini recipes: Try our creamy tahini sauce, which we love drizzled over honey roasted carrots. Or makes your own hummus, I love this roasted red pepper hummus. For a hearty salad, try our tahini kale and bean salad!
Easy Tahini Dressing
- PREP
- TOTAL
We both love this tahini dressing. Of all the salad dressing recipes we have shared on Inspired Taste, this tahini-based dressing is the one you will most likely find in our fridge. It’s creamy, flavorful, and works drizzled over just about anything. Think hearty salads, grain bowls, roasted veggies, and even as a sauce for meats or seafood.
Watch Us Make the Recipe
You Will Need
1/4 cup well-stirred tahini, try homemade tahini
1 small garlic clove, grated or finely minced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey, maple syrup or agave
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
3 tablespoons cold water, more if needed
Directions
1Whisk everything but the water in a small bowl. Don’t worry if the mixture seems clumpy at first. The dressing will relax once you whisk it in the water, making it creamy.
2Add three tablespoons of cold water, and then whisk until creamy. For a thinner consistency, add a little more water.
3Season to taste with additional lemon juice or salt.
4Store the dressing in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA database to calculate approximate values.
I have been looking for a great recipe for a tuna poke bowl. This is absolutely it. Everyone in my house loved it, and it was so easy. I used the homemade Tahini recipe as well and loved that too. Thank you!
Love it 🙂
Making for my parents tonight with Seared Ahi Tuna on top. Added cherry tomatoes for a pop of color. Thanks for the helpful hint massaging the kale with salt and lemon juice. Worked like a charm!
I have tried half a dozen different recipes for Tahini dressing and now the search is over. This is delicious and takes only minutes to make. I like the Inspired Taste recipes so much, thank you!
This dressing is delicious. I cut to 1.5 tsp olive oil and no sesame seed oil as I am pre diabetic and need to watch fat. I put 1 tablespoon over your quinoa salad. Love, love love!!!