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    Home » Recipes » Sauces and Garnish

    Tahini Salad Dressing 5 Ways

    Posted: Dec 14, 2018 by Lori Last Updated: May 14, 2021 · This post contains affiliate links.

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    Healthy, easy, flavorful tahini is one of our favorite ways to make creamy vegan salad dressings and sauces. Today I'm sharing a recipe for basic lemon tahini dressing plus four flavor variations, all of which are oil-free, gluten-free, flavor-packed, and come together in just minutes!

    overhead shot of four flavors of tahini dressing.
    Clockwise from upper left: Orange-Ginger, Green Goddess, Smoky, and Mustard. Not pictured: Basic Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing.

    When you need a quick and easy way to boost the flavor of your salads, veggies, and bowls, you can't go wrong with tahini dressing.

    These five different dressings pair well with so many things beyond salad! Try them on tofu and tempeh, tacos, pizza, drizzled on potatoes, and more.

    1. Easy Lemon Tahini Dressing - the perfect balance of bright and rich flavors
    2. Smoky Tahini Dressing - same as above but with a subtle, smoky finish (<---yum!)
    3. Orange-Ginger Tahini Dressing - for those of you who like your dressings a bit on the fruity/sweeter side
    4. Green Goddess Tahini Dressing - fresh herbs = my personal favorite!
    5. Mustard Tahini Dressing - lively with zesty dijon
    light green colored tahini dressing in a glass.
    Green Goddess Tahini Dressing

    Ways to Use Tahini Dressing

    Don't limit these delicious dressings to salads! Think about complementary flavor combinations and use these them as....

    • Healthy dip for vegetable platters
    • Mayo replacement in sandwiches and wraps
    • Mayo replacement in chickpea salad
    • Mayo replacement in potato salad or as a dip for fries (Try baked oven fries with smoky tahini dressing!)
    • Sauce for roasted, grilled or sautéed vegetables
    • Creamy sauce for hot or cold pasta dishes
    • And as a sauce for your favorite grain bowls!
    smoky dressing in a glass with other dressings in background.
    Smoky Tahini Dressing

    Selecting the Best Tahini

    Delicious dressing starts with a good quality tahini. Of course, it should also be one that's available to you and affordable. If you don't already have a favorite tahini, check out this review by Minimalist Baker of the best tahini brands.

    Or if you prefer to go the DIY route, it's very easy to make tahini at home from raw sesame seeds. Begin by toasting the seeds briefly in a heavy-bottomed pan for 4 to 5 minutes, until golden and fragrant. Stir frequently so the seeds don't brown.

    Next, spread the sesame seeds on a plate to cool completely, then transfer to a food processor. Process the seeds in intervals, stopping to scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed. Blend until the tahini as as smooth and creamy as you like.

    Tips for Adjusting Flavors

    Feel free to experiment with the ingredient amounts listed below. For example, you may find you like a tad more smoked paprika in your smoky tahini dressing or a bit less orange in your orange-ginger dressing.....or vice versa.

    We all have different palates, and in recipes that contain so few ingredients, even the smallest tweaks can make a huge difference!

    Best advice: you can always add more of something, but it's not always easy to tone down an ingredient after adding too much. It's a good idea to first try each recipe as written, and adjust from there.

    variety of vegan salad dressings on a tray.

    How long does it keep?

    This may vary depending on the exact ingredients in the dressing, but in general, I find the basic lemon tahini dressing is best consumed within 4 days.

    Tahini dressings that contain fresh juice or herbs may not last quite as long, up to 3 days.

    Always refrigerate leftover dressing, and be sure to store it in a clean jar or container with a tight-fitting lid.

    variety of colorful and healthy vegan dressings.

    More Ways to Use Tahini

    Tahini also creates delicious, oil-free vegan desserts. Try it in these Rosemary Tahini Cookies, and these Spiced Oatmeal Cookies.

    I've also used it in place of the cashews in this Vegan Chocolate Tart with amazing results!

    Of course tahini is right at home in any hummus recipe, like this Ginger-Carrot Hummus.

    You might also like:

    Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
    Creamy Harissa Dressing (tahini-based)
    Ginger-Turmeric Dressing (Trader Joe's Copycat)
    Nut-Free Vegan Ranch Dressing
    Classic Vegan Caesar With Roasted Chickpeas (tahini-based)
    Oil-Free Vegan Aquafaba Mayo
    Carrot Salad With Tahini-Sriracha Dressing

    Tahini Salad Dressing Five Ways

    Tahini Salad Dressing 5 Ways

    Author: Lori Rasmussen, My Quiet Kitchen
    Five delicious and healthy variations on creamy tahini dressing. Easy to make in minutes and great on so much more than just salads! 
    Servings: 6 per recipe
    4.84 from 25 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share by Text SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Total Time: 5 mins

    Equipment

    • zester

    Ingredients 

    Basic Lemon Tahini Dressing:

    • ⅓ cup tahini
    • ⅓ cup water
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 1 small clove garlic, zested or finely minced if not using a blender
    • 2 teaspoons maple syrup or agave
    • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

    Smoky Tahini Dressing - same as Basic and add:

    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

    Orange-Ginger Tahini Dressing - same as Basic but omit lemon juice and add:

    • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
    • 1 pinch of of orange zest
    • ¾ inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled and zested
    • black pepper, to taste

    Mustard Tahini Dressing - same as Basic and add:

    • 2 to 3 tablespoons dijon mustard; start with 2 Tbsp and adjust

    Green Goddess Tahini Dressing (written in full for simplicity):

    • ⅓ cup tahini
    • ⅓ cup unsweetened and unflavored non-dairy yogurt (Forager Cashewgurt is my go-to)
    • ¼ cup water
    • 2 cloves garlic, zested or finely minced if making dressing by hand; chopped if using blender
    • ⅓ cup fresh flat leaf parsley, finely chopped if not using a blender
    • 2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped if not using a blender - (if you can't find chives, sub green onion)
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • ¼ teaspoon dulse flakes
    • 2 teaspoon maple syrup or agave
    • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Blender instructions: combine all ingredients, and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust salt and acidity as desired.
      By hand: combine all ingredients in a bowl, and whisk until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust salt and acidity as desired.
    • Refrigerate dressing in an airtight container. Best consumed within three days.

    Notes

    Any of these dressings can be whisked together in a bowl, though blending creates the smoothest consistency.
    Estimated nutrition information represents one serving (2 Tbsp) of Basic Lemon Tahini Dressing.

    Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

    Serving: 2TbspCalories: 88kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 0IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1.3mg

    Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific products and ingredients used. We calculate this information using the online calculator cronometer.com.

    Did you try the recipe?I LOVE hearing from you! Comment below to let us know.
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    Comments

    1. Alyssa

      November 02, 2021 at 8:49 am

      Lovely dressing - I was looking for something to use on my salads during the week and this is just the thing! I made the herby dressing and added some fresh oregano as well as I had it handy, delicious!

      Reply
      • Stacey

        March 20, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        I just made the smoky version....omg sooo good! I plan to use it on my salads for the week & as a drizzle for some air fryer cauliflower. I want to make them all! Next will be the mustard! Thank you so much for such delicious recipes!!

        Reply
    2. Flic

      September 30, 2021 at 7:40 am

      Thank you for these lovely various tahini sauce options.

      Just wondering if I could use garlic infused olive oil or cooked garlic in place of raw garlic (I don't tolerate raw garlic well).

      Maybe even caramelised garlic for a sweeter option?

      Reply
      • Lori

        September 30, 2021 at 7:42 am

        Absolutely. Start with a small amount and adjust to your liking. Garlic powder is also great and easy.

        Reply
    3. megna paula

      June 02, 2021 at 3:43 pm

      love these ideas, thank you!

      Reply
    4. Sam

      December 12, 2019 at 9:05 am

      Nice selection and variety to keep things interesting. Really enjoying the orange ginger one at the moment. Thank you

      Reply
      • Lori

        December 12, 2019 at 9:23 am

        Thanks a bunch, Sam! So glad you’re enjoying it.

        Reply

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    Lori Rasmussen, Owner/Creator

    Hi, I'm Lori. Welcome to My Quiet Kitchen where I share easy vegan recipes with a healthier twist. Many are special diet-friendly or easily adapted. I also have a passion for veganizing classic desserts, and sometimes even those get a healthy-ish makeover.

    Learn more about me →

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