This creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing is the perfect balance of bright, slightly nutty, and subtly sweet flavors. It comes together in just minutes and is a versatile dressing delicious on kale salad, grain bowls, drizzled over roasted or fresh vegetables or even with sweet potato fries!
As a dietitian, one of my favorite ways to help people who have a hard time eating vegetables is to create a great sauce or dressing to go with them! And this lemon tahini dressing with an earthy flavor is one of my favorites to pair with heartier veggies like broccoli, kale, or cauliflower.
It uses tahini as the base which provides heart-healthy fatty acids and some plant-based protein. Zesty notes of lemon complement the bitterness of the tahini for the best flavor AND some vitamin C. A little maple syrup balances everything out for a pourable (practically drinkable!) tahini sauce.
Add this lemon tahini dressing to a kale harvest salad, quinoa salad with kale and roasted broccoli, or over roasted butternut squash and brussels sprouts. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
More Healthy Salad Dressings
- Greek Yogurt Tahini Sauce
- Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Simple Lemon Dijon Maple Dressing
- Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
- Ginger Lime Salad Dressing
- Healthy Sesame Ginger Dressing
- Peanut Ginger Dressing with Lime
- Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing
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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This maple lemon tahini dressing uses simple ingredients and pantry staples. Below are some ingredient notes. Check the recipe card for exact ingredient measurements.
- Tahini - creamy tahini is a smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds and it makes for a delicious dressing base with a nutty flavor. No need for olive oil or avocado oil since the natural oils that come from the seeds provides healthy fats and plenty of moisture. Store-bought tahini can usually be found by the nut butter at grocery stores.
- Lemon Juice - fresh lemon juice adds acidity to balance the tahini and sweetness of the maple syrup, and the citric acid in lemon juice also acts as a natural preservative. Plus, it contains vitamin C which is important for your immune health. If you want more acidity, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar along with the lemon.
- Maple Syrup - to add a touch of sweetness to the creamy dressing.
- Dijon Mustard - dijon adds a bit more flavor and is a natural emulsifier to help the tahini and lemon juice combine.
- Clove of Garlic - fresh garlic adds more flavor. You can use ½ teaspoon garlic powder instead if you prefer.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper - to tie all the flavors together.
- Water - use a little water to thin out the creaminess of the tahini.
How to Make Lemon Tahini Dressing
Below are the instructions for how to make this tahini salad dressing with some visuals that I hope are helpful! The full recipe can be found at the bottom of this post.
Option 1: add all the dressing ingredients to a food processor or blender. Blend for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it has a smooth texture. Add more water to thin it out as needed.
Option 2: finely mince or grate the garlic. Then add all the dressing ingredients to a small bowl or measuring cup. Give it a good stir with a whisk or use an immersion blender to smooth it out.
Option 3: finely mince or grate the garlic. Add it to a mason jar with a lid and give it a good shake.
Dietitian Tip
All you need to make a homemade go-to salad dressing like this easy lemon tahini dressing is a handful of ingredients and a few minutes. Not only does it have a perfectly creamy texture, but making dressing at home gives you more control over the ingredients and the flavor. Meal prep it at the beginning of the week and add it to various dishes throughout the week!
Variations
The best part about this tahini dressing is you can customize to your taste! Below are some ideas, but feel free to get creative.
- Spicy - add crushed red pepper flakes to add a little bit of spice.
- Sweeter - if you prefer a sweet dressing, add a bit extra maple syrup.
- Zesty - double up on lemon juice or add apple cider vinegar for a little zing.
Ideas for Serving
Now that you have a big batch made, enjoy it on a variety of different dishes! Below are some ideas:
- On Your Favorite Salads - add it to fresh greens or hearty salads like a fall harvest salad with kale, sweet potatoes, and apples.
- Grain Bowl or Grain Salads- use it to top quinoa bowls or a buddha bowl. I like to use brown rice or quinoa, leafy greens, Brussel sprouts, red onion, and crispy chickpeas or shredded chicken. Top it with creamy goat cheese and pomegranate arils.
- As a Sauce - drizzle it over warm roasted veggies like these Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots or fall veggies.
- As a Dip - cut back on the water in the recipe to make it thicker and serve it as a dip! You can add in some green olives or pomegranate seeds and serve it with fresh veggies, pita chips, or sweet potato fries.
- With Fruit - the flavors of this dressing pair so well with fresh fruit like berries, honeycrisp apples, or citrus fruit.
- With Savory Meals - use it as a marinade for tofu or chicken.
- Summer Pasta Salad - add it to a pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, fresh herbs, and red onion.
Storage for Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Refrigerator - Store leftover dressing in a mason jar or other airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. It's normal for it to solidify a bit in the fridge. Simply take it out and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and then shake to combine before using it. You can add a splash of water to thin it back out.
Expert Tips
- Finely mince or grate your garlic if you're making this dressing without a food processor or blender.
- The flavors of ingredients can vary a bit based on brand and variety, so taste your dressing once it's mixed and adjust it if needed! If you like your dressings on the sweeter side, add a bit more syrup. If you prefer it on the tangier side, add more lemon juice.
- If the dressing is too thick, thin it out by adding water a Tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this dressing is a nutrient-rich option. It contains heart-healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamin C.
Absolutely! The taste will be slightly different but it still tastes great! If using garlic powder, ½ teaspoon is all you need.
Tahini recipes can be bitter because of the taste of tahini itself. First, let it sit 5-10 minutes to let the flavors set. If it still tastes bitter, add a bit more maple syrup, salt or water.
Yes, this lemon tahini salad dressing is vegan.
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Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Lemon Tahini Dressing
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing with Maple and Garlic
Equipment
- 1 food processor (or blender)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup tahini
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice (~1 large lemon)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- dash black pepper
- ¼-⅓ cup water (more as needed to thin it out)
Instructions
- Option 1: add all the dressing ingredients to a food processor and blend for 30 seconds-1 minute until smooth. Add more water to thin it out as needed.
- Option 2: finely mince or grate the garlic. Then add all the dressing ingredients to a small bowl or measuring cup. Whisk until emulsified or use an immersion blender to smooth it out. Add more water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Notes
- Finely mince your garlic if you're making this dressing without a food processor or blender.
- The flavors of the ingredients in this dressing can vary a bit based on brand and variety, so taste your dressing once it's mixed and adjust it if needed! If you like your dressings on the sweeter side, add a bit more syrup. If you prefer it on the tangier side, add more lemon juice.
- If the dressing is too thick, thin it out by adding a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Refrigerator -Store leftover dressing in a mason jar or other airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. It's normal for it to solidify a bit in the fridge. Simply take it out and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and then shake to combine before using. You can add a bit more water or olive oil to thin it back out.
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