Creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing You’ll Use on Everything
This creamy lemon tahini dressing is one of those sauces you’ll want to keep on hand. Rich yet light, with a tangy lemon finish, it pairs beautifully with everything from falafel and salads to roasted vegetables and grilled proteins. Using a high-quality tahini makes all the difference here. Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
Prep5 minutes mins
Cook0 minutes mins
Total5 minutes mins
Cuisine: American, Middle Eastern
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: easy salad dressing recipe, homemade salad dressing recipe, restaurant-worthy salad dressing, tahini salad dressing
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 186kcal
- 2 Tbsp tahini
- 3 Tbsp water
- 2 medium lemons juiced, about ¼ cup
- 1 medium garlic clove
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- ¼ tsp Aleppo pepper or freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Make the lemon tahini dressing. Place 2 Tbsp tahini, 3 Tbsp water, and ¼ cup fresh lemon juice in a medium bowl. Using a microplane, grate 1 garlic clove on top. Add 1 tsp honey, ½ tsp Kosher salt, and ¼ tsp Aleppo pepper (or black pepper). Whisk until the mixture is smooth. Note: it will harden and seize at first, then loosen up. Stream in ¼ cup of olive oil, whisking constantly, until emulsified. Taste, adjust seasoning, then set aside.
- Make ahead & storage: Tahini dressing can be made up to 5 days ahead and refrigerated airtight. Whisk before serving.
- Freezing: Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and whisk (may separate).
- Variations: Swap honey for maple syrup or agave. Add fresh herbs (dill, mint, cilantro, or parsley) or ½ tsp za’atar or ras el hanout.
Serving: 3Tbsp | Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 297mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg