This Maple Tahini Dressing is the perfect balance of flavors and provides so much nutrition! If you're into creamy dressings, this is a great recipe to use on a kale salad or buddha bowls. The combination of nutty tahini, sweet maple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of olive oil will have your taste buds coming back for more. 😊
As a dietitian, I like a to make dressing at home when I have an extra couple of minutes, and this delicious tahini maple dressing recipe is great to pair with fall salads or a grain bowl. My favorite way to use it is in my Kale Harvest Salad.
There's just something about homemade salad dressings that takes a good salad to a GREAT salad. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 😊 If you're looking for more homemade salad dressings, try my easy & zesty Lemon Dijon Dressing next!
Jump to:
Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This Maple Lemon Tahini Dressing uses simple ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes. Check the recipe card for exact ingredient measurements.
- Tahini - Tahini is a sesame paste made from toasted and ground sesame seeds, oil, and usually salt. Commonly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, it's a key ingredient in hummus and baba ganoush. It has a creamy consistency with a nutty, earthy flavor. Nutritionally, it provides fiber for a healthy gut, plant-protein, antioxidants, copper, and selenium. It is a key ingredient for this healthy salad dressing. When I make a recipe using tahini, I find it's easier to use a squeezable tahini. Mighty Sesame Co. and Seed + Mill both come in a squeeze bottle. Trust me - it's so much easier to get out of the bottle! If you prefer a sweeter flavor, feel free to substitute tahini with peanut butter or almond butter. Sunflower seed butter works for a nut free option.
- Pure Maple Syrup - a bit of real maple syrup is a great addition to add a hint of sweetness.
- Lemon Juice - fresh lemon juice adds a zesty flavor to balance the 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.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - extra-virgin olive oil helps to emulsify the dressing. It also adds heart-healthy fats that are good for brain health and hormone health. You can substitute with avocado oil if you prefer a more mild flavor.
- Garlic - in my opinion, a good dressing recipe would not be complete without some fresh minced garlic to add a bit of spice. You can leave it out if you don't like garlic.
- Salt & Black Pepper - a pinch of salt and pepper to tie all the flavors together.
- Cold water - to thin it out.
How to Make Maple Tahini Dressing
Below are the instructions for how to make Maple Tahini Dressing with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
- Option 1: add all the dressing ingredients to a food processor or blender. Blend for 30 seconds-1 minute until smooth. Add more water to thin it out as needed.
- Option 2: finely mince the garlic. Then add all the dressing ingredients to a small bowl or measuring cup. Whisk or use an immersion blender to smooth it out. Add a few tablespoons of water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Dietitian Tip
Making homemade dressing like this easy Maple Tahini Dressing can feel intimidating, but it's as easy as mixing a few ingredients. Not only does making dressing at home taste amazingly fresh, it also 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 Maple 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 bit of kick to this flavorful dressing!
- 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 even more zest.
Ideas for Serving Maple Tahini Dressing
Now that you have a big batch made, enjoy it on a variety of different dishes! Below are some ideas:
- On Your Favorite Salads - if you like creamy salad dressings, this is perfect to meal prep. My favorite way to use this dressing is in hearty salads like my Fall Harvest Salad with kale, sweet potatoes, and apples.
- Grain Bowl or Grain Salads- this easy dressing is a great option for topping grain bowls. I like to make a fall harvest bowl using brown rice or quinoa, leafy greens, brussel sprouts, red onion, and crispy chickpeas or shredded chicken. Top it with sunflower seeds, creamy goat cheese, and pomegranate arils.
- As a Sauce - drizzle a couple Tablespoons over warm roasted veggies like these Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots. Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, or other root vegetables go great with this dressing too.
- 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.
Storage for Maple Balsamic 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 bit more water or olive oil to thin it back out.
Expert Tips
- Finely mince your garlic if you're making this dressing without a food processor or blender.
- The flavors of ingredients in this tahini sauce 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 you prefer it more robust, bump up the extra virgin olive oil a bit.
- If the dressing is too thick, thin it out by adding a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this Maple Tahini Dressing is a nutrient-rich option. It contains heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil that has also been shown to support brain health and hormone health. And tahini contains antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and improve overall health.
Absolutely! The taste will be slightly different but it still tastes great! If using garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon is all you need.
Find tahini near the nut butters or in the ethnic food section at most grocery stores. You can also order it on Amazon. Store tahini in a cool, dry area at room temperature.
Tahini is used in various parts of the world and has a nutty and earthy flavor. It's a smooth paste and has a bitter taste on it’s own. But it's great for recipes like this where it is used to add flavor and creaminess.
Yes, this Maple Tahini Salad Dressing is vegan.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Maple 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 Maple Tahini Dressing (Easy Recipe with Lemon)
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup tahini
- ¼ cup lemon juice 1 large lemon or 2 small lemons
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1½ tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ 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 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 tahini sauce 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 you prefer it more robust, bump up the extra virgin olive oil a bit.
- 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.
Comments
No Comments