Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing (5-Minute Recipe)

A closeup of the dressing in a small jar with a spoon in it.

5 from 1 vote

Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing (5-Minute Recipe)

This incredible creamy lemon tahini salad dressing will rock your world - or at least your salads, roasted vegetables, falafel and grilled meat! Just combine tahini with lemon juice, garlic, maple syrup, water and a bit of cumin and salt and it's ready. The dressing takes just 5 minutes to make and keeps in the fridge for a week!

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: dressing, Side Dish

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan

Servings:

Author: Helen Schofield

Equipment

colorful mini whisks

Ingredients

⅓ cup tahini
⅓ cup lemon juice around 2 small to medium lemons (lime juice works well too)
1 tablespoon maple syrup (honey works too but is not suitable for vegans)
1 small garlic clove crushed
1 large pinch cumin (around ⅛ of a teaspoon for just a hint of smoky flavor)
1 large pinch salt
⅓ cup cold water (roughly - add it little by little until the dressing is the desired consistency)

cups/ounces - grams/ml

Instructions

Using a mini whisk or a teaspoon, whisk the lemon juice into the tahini in a small bowl or jug. It's best to do this little by little. It may appear to split/stiffen at first, but keep whisking and it will soon become smooth again.
⅓ cup tahini, ⅓ cup lemon juice
Whisk in the maple syrup, crushed garlic, cumin and salt.
1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 small garlic clove, 1 large pinch cumin, 1 large pinch salt
Now slowly whisk in the water until you have a smooth paste that's a little thinner than mayonnaise. You may not need to use all of it.
⅓ cup cold water
Drizzle over a salad, roasted vegetables or meat immediately, or keep in a jar or other container with a lid for up to a week.

Video

Notes

Tahini: If your tahini has separated, simply stir it with a long knife until smooth again. The same goes for the dressing once made. If it's separated in the fridge, just stir again and add a drizzle more water if it has thickened too much.

Serving ideas: The dressing is great with grain-based salads such as this roasted chickpea salad. It's also perfect with roasted vegetables, falafel (try this falafel sandwich) or grilled meat such as air fryer skinless boneless chicken thighs.

Nutrition