This everyday simple maple tahini dressing is creamy, sweet, tangy, and oil-free, and takes 5 minutes to make.
This tahini maple sauce recipe is a simple variation of classic lemon tahini dressing with an extra touch of sweetness. It’s great on salads, over grain bowls, as a falafel dip, and so much more!
If you’re looking for more tahini-based dressings, be sure to check out spicy sriracha tahini, zesty lime tahini dressing, or lemon herb tahini sauce.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously quick and easy using pantry ingredients, and no special equipment.
- Thick and creamy salad dressing without any added oil.
- Get sweet, savory, and tangy flavors all in one bite.
- Naturally vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Tahini. Creamy tahini, sesame seed paste, adds a nutty flavor. Look for tahini without added oil, or make your own homemade tahini. The best substitutes are sunflower seed butter or almond butter.
- Maple Syrup. Adds natural sweetness. In a pinch, you could use agave syrup or date paste, but maple really makes it pop.
- Lemon Juice. I love the zing of fresh lemon juice, or you can use the bottled kind. Apple cider vinegar works in a pinch.
- Dijon Mustard. Adds a touch of heat and depth, without being a full-on tahini mustard dressing. No Dijon? Use regular mustard or spicy granny mustard.
- Garlic. Fresh is best for tahini dressings, but you can substitute with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder if you’re in a hurry.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Maple Tahini: Add a dash of sriracha, gochujang, cayenne, or chili flakes.
- Herby Version: Blend in fresh dill, parsley, or cilantro.
How to Make Tahini Dressing
- Add all ingredients to a bowl or jar.
- Whisk (or shake) until smooth and creamy.
- Add water, a tablespoon at a time, or more lemon juice to thin it.
- Taste and tweak the flavor, by adding more lemon for tang and maple syrup for sweetness.
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Pro Tips
- Wait to add salt until after you’ve mixed and tasted the dressing. Some tahini has added salt, and mustard also contains salt. It’s all about your personal preference.
- Adjust consistency gradually. It thickens as it sits or after refrigeration.
Serving Suggestions
- Drizzle over salads like Middle Eastern bulgur and chickpea salad, kale sweet potato salad, or Moroccan chickpea salad with couscous.
- Spoon on roasted root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, or add flavor to roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, or lemon cauliflower and quinoa.
- Use as a dip for raw veggies, baked veggie balls, or spicy baked falafel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store maple tahini dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to a week. Stir before serving and thin it out if needed.
I don’t recommend freezing tahini dressing. The texture gets weird after thawing, and the flavor dilutes.
Tahini has natural sesame oil from the ground seeds, which is why some tahini, processed without added oil, has a thin layer of oil at the top of the jar.
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👩🏻🍳 Recipe
5-Minute Maple Tahini Dressing
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup tahini
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard - (see note 1)
- 1 teaspoon garlic - minced or pressed
- ¼ teaspoon salt - (see note 2)
Instructions
- Add the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic, and 2 tablespoons of water to a small bowl or jar.
- Whisk (or shake) the ingredients until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Add more water or lemon juice, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
- Taste and add up to ½ teaspoon of salt (if needed. Add more lemon juice for added zing or maple syrup for a sweeter dressing.
- Makes ¾ cup.
Notes
- You can substitute Dijon mustard with regular prepared mustard or spicy grainy mustard if desired.
- Add salt after mixing the other ingredients, then tasting. Some tahini has added salt, and Dijon can taste salty.
- Store dressing in the refrigerator for up to a week. I don’t recommend freezing tahini-based dressings.
- Nutritional information based on 2 tablespoons of dressing.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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