Tahini Dressing (With 4 Flavor Variations)

different tahini dressing variations with ingredients on marble background.

Tahini Dressing (With 4 Flavor Variations)

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings:6 servings

Author: Lori Rasmussen, My Quiet Kitchen

Lemon tahini dressing is bright, savory, and nutty. It's a classic for a reason, and with a few other ingredients you can turn that base recipe into 4 other unique and flavorful salad dressings. Easy to make, ready in 5 minutes, and great for so much more than just salad!

Ingredients
US Customary | Metric

Classic Lemon Tahini Dressing

⅓ cup tahini
⅓ cup water
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice - or more to taste
1 small clove garlic, grated or finely minced if not using a blender
2 teaspoons maple syrup or agave
1 teaspoon fine sea salt - reduce if adding mustard
⅛ teaspoon black pepper, optional

Optional Additions and Flavor Variations

½ teaspoon smoked paprika - add to lemon dressing above for a hint of smokiness
fresh orange zest and juice - instead of lemon juice
¾ inch ginger root, peeled and grated - perfect with lemon or orange
2 Tablespoons dijon mustard - add to basic lemon version and reduce salt

Green Goddess Tahini Dressing (written in full for simplicity)

⅓ cup tahini
⅓ cup unsweetened plain non-dairy yogurt
¼ cup water
2 small cloves garlic, grated or finely minced
⅓ cup chopped flat leaf parsley - finely chop if not using a blender
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoon dulse flakes - or crumbled nori
2 teaspoon maple syrup or agave
1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl or jar and whisk until smooth. Note that the tahini will look curdled when first mixed with liquids. Just keep whisking and it will smooth out. Alternatively, use a blender for a smooth and creamy consistency.
Taste the dressing for seasoning, and add another splash of water if needed for consistency.
Store tahini dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. Note that the orange and herb variations may not last as long, closer to 4 days.

Notes

All of these dressing variations can be whisked together in a bowl, though blending creates the smoothest consistency.

Estimated nutrition information represents one serving (2 Tbsp) of Lemon Tahini Dressing.

Nutrition