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This is an easy, simple, and delicious Tahini Salad Dressing made with lemon juice, pure maple syrup, and a pinch of turmeric that will take your salads from ordinary to extraordinary! It can easily be made oil-free if you so desire and is also great for drizzling over roasted vegetables, grain bowls, noodles, and more.

☆☆☆☆☆ Irene commented: “Great easy and delicious salad dressing.”

Tahini Salad Dressing in a glass jar with a spoon
Chef Ani headshot in white kitchen cutting lettuce.

If You’ve Grown Bored of Your Usual Side Salad, Swap Up the Dressing!

As a chef, I’ve tested countless variations of this recipe to create the best tahini dressing — and this is the one that made the cut.

After many rounds of tweaking and tasting, I’ve found the perfect balance of creamy tahini, zesty lemon, and just the right hint of garlic. This homemade dressing is rich, versatile, and adds a silky, flavorful finish to everything from crisp greens, main dishes, and grain bowls.

Whether you’re dressing a salad or using it as a dip, this recipe is the one I always come back to!

Here’s why you’ll love it too:

  • Quick and easy: You can whip up this dressing in a few minutes and enjoy it on your salads all week long.
  • Multi-purpose: This tahini based salad dressing can be added to elevate chopped greens, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, and more.
  • Oil-free option: You can leave the oil out of this recipe for an oil-free salad dressing that’s still super creamy and delicious. 

Best of all, this recipe is completely vegan and has its own powerhouse of nutrients to back it up!

XOXO Ani
Tahini Salad Dressing Ingredients

Here’s What You’ll Need

  • Tahini: A smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds that gives the dressing its creamy base. High in nutrition, fiber, protein, and antioxidants, tahini paste provides both flavor, texture, and bulk.
  • Lemon Juice: Lemon juice brightens, gives dimension, and adds nutritional value to the dressing.
  • Maple Syrup: Adds a touch of sweetness provides complexity and balance.
  • Garlic: Gives the dressing flavor and depth. You can also use garlic powder, but it will change the flavor slightly.
  • Turmeric: Gives the dressing a pretty yellow color and has anti-inflammatory qualities.  
  • Cayenne: We’re using just enough to provide a pop of flavor, but not so much that the dressing is even remotely spicy!
  • Olive Oil: You may omit the oil, but I prefer making my dressing with it to give it a smoother, richer consistency.

How to Make Tahini Salad Dressing at Home

I’ve shared the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions in the recipe card below, but I wanted to pass on a few step-by-step tips first.

Adding Tahini to a blender
Adding Lemon juice to a blender
Maple Syrup being added to a blender
Fresh Garlic being added to a blender
Adding Water to a blender
Cayenne and Turmeric being added to a blender
  1. Combine everything but the oil in a blender. Blend the mixture until smooth. The reason we do this before streaming in the oil is to create a super smooth emulsion. If you add the oil right away, it will split as soon as it’s mixed with the lemon juice and your dressing will curdle.
  2. Add the oil. Remove the center cap from the blender lid, keep the blender running on low speed, and slowly pour in the oil. This will make your lemon tahini dressing extra creamy!
  3. Check the consistency. If the tahini salad dressing is too thick, add more water 1 tablespoon at a time.
Adding Olive Oil to the Dressing
Pouring Salad Dressing into a Jar

Variations and Substitutions

Have fun experimenting with this tahini dressing recipe! Here are some flavor combinations and substitutions I’ve tried and loved:

  • Replace the maple syrup with another sweetener, like agave or sugar.
  • Add a splash of sesame oil for an even more pronounced sesame flavor.
  • Substitute the tahini with almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter.
  • Add a splash of soy sauce or Bragg Liquid Aminos, noting that you’ll need to omit some of the salt from the recipe to prevent the dressing from tasting too salty.
  • Omit the turmeric and cayenne for a classic lemon tahini dressing.
Salad greens being tossed with a lemon tahini dressing
Tahini Salad Dressing in a glass jar with a spoon

Ways to Use the Dressing

This creamy salad dressing is incredibly versatile and can elevate more than just your favorite salad.

  • Drizzle it over roasted veggies like sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or carrots to add a rich, creamy contrast.
  • Use on grain bowls — think quinoa, farro, or rice — to give each bite a nutty, zesty kick.
  • Serve as a dip with crunchy raw veggies, pita, or homemade falafel.
  • Toss with couscous or chickpea salads for added flavor and creaminess.
  • Pour over tofu, soy curls, or other savory snacks to really highlight the dish and give it a zing. 
A bowl of Salad with Tahini Salad Dressing
Pouring Tahini Salad Dressing over lettuce

More Homemade Vegan Salad Dressings

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Tahini Salad Dressing

Tahini Salad Dressing

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Chef Ani
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

This is an easy, simple, and delicious dressing that will take your salads from ordinary to extraordinary! 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Add water, tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic, turmeric, cayenne, and salt to a blender. Blend until smooth. 
  2. While the blender is running on low speed, slowly add the oil.
  3. Check the consistency. If it is too thick, add more water 1 tablespoon at a time.
  4. Add to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Stir before serving.  

Notes

If you make a lot of homemade salad dressings and sauces, a high-powered blender is a must. This is the one I use and recommend.

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