Lemon tahini dressing with just 3 ingredients is naturally vegan and dairy free. It takes less than 10 minutes to make and doesn't require added oil.
This versatile dressing is perfect with fresh salads, and it's the ideal quick vegan salad dressing for many vegan bowl recipes, stuffed pita pockets, vegan stuffed sweet potatoes, and more!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This is the one vegan salad dressing that everyone should have tucked into their toolbelt. It's thick enough to cling to your greens and you can make it as lemony or as garlicky as you like.
- This is the simplest of homemade dressings. You don't need fancy equipment – just a small bowl and a spoon.
- Tahini contains natural fats and has nutritional benefits including magnesium and phosphorus. When mixed with lemon juice, it makes a creamy dressing that doesn't require olive oil.
Ingredients, Notes, and Substitutions
Tahini. Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds, and that's all you should find in yours. Possibly, a little salt. A good tahini should not contain added oil, sometimes used in processing. Plenty of natural sesame oil is produced during the sesame seeds' breakdown. You always have the option of making your tahini, too.
Fresh garlic. Whether you use one garlic clove or several, garlic is the special ingredient that lifts the flavor. Garlic powder won't taste the same but can be used in a pinch. Start with ½ a teaspoon and build from there.
Lemon juice. The heart and distinction of creamy lemon tahini dressing is no secret. It's fresh lemons. I prefer squeezing my own and using the lemon zest as a garnish or in the salad dressing. Of course, if you can't use fresh lemon juice, go for the next best thing – the squeezy bottle.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.
Recipe Variations
If you find tahini slightly bitter or have a sweet tooth, add a drop or two of maple syrup. Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for a sweet mustard dressing.
A little sriracha (one of our favorite ways), hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne pepper are excellent choices for a spicy flavor.
Fresh herbs like mint, parsley, or chives make a nice variation that compliments the simple ingredients in this dressing.
Instructions and Pro Tips
Once you mince the garlic, making this dressing is a simple matter of adding ll the ingredients and stirring.
Tahini stored in the refrigerator gets thicker and, over time, quite solid. Let it warm to room temperature, or run hot water over the jar.
It’s your call how to thin the dressing. Add more lemon juice or add water a tablespoon at a time. This depends on your taste preference.
Serving Suggestions
A basic kale salad with lemon tahini dressing massaged with fresh kale is one of our favorite ways to use this delicious dressing. This makes an excellent base for grain bowls with a few fresh veggies or chickpeas.
Once you taste this dressing, you'll discover limitless ways to use it. This is a yummy dressing for making a quick potato salad or mixing with beans or lentils when you want a creamy sauce without relying on vegan cashew cream or vegan mayonnaise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep leftover dressing in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for 5 days. Before serving the next time, add a little lemon juice or water to thin it out.
The popularity of tahini means you’re likely to find it at the grocery store, but you may need to look for it. Sometimes, it will be with the rest of the nut pastes like peanut butter, specialty foods like Middle Eastern ingredients, or near the hummus.
Unopened tahini can be kept in the pantry or cupboard until it is opened. Once you crack the lid, store it in the refrigerator because the sesame oil from processing tahini can get rancid unless chilled.
More Vegan Salad Dressings
Do you have a question or recipe request or need a cooking tip? Leave a comment below or contact Denise. I’m here to help! If you want more healthy vegan recipes, please subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on Facebook or Pinterest for the latest updates.
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👩🏻🍳 Recipe
Lemon Tahini Dressing
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup tahini
- ¼ - ½ cup lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic - minced or pressed
- Water as needed
Instructions
- Combine the tahini, lemon juice, and garlic in a small bowl. Mix well.
- Add water, one tablespoon at a time. Stir after each addition of liquid until you reach the desired consistency.
- Taste and add additional lemon juice or a pinch of salt if desired.
Notes
- The best tahini is made from only sesame seeds, with no additional oil, which is sometimes used in processing. We also have a recipe for making homemade tahini.
- For additional flavors, consider a pinch of cayenne pepper or sriracha.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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