Tahini Salad Dressing Recipe (with Lemon)

Give your vegetables a burst of flavor and freshness with this creamy Tahini Salad Dressing Recipe (With Lemon). It’s also great as a dip!

For some people, comfort food comes in the form of things like macaroni and cheese, a juicy burger, or a hearty stew. For me, though, nothing is as restorative and uplifting as a big bowl of salad—overflowing with seasonal vegetables and delicately enhanced by the perfect dressing. The kind of dressing that elevates the vibrant ingredients without masking their unique flavors. I’ll admit, I’m quite picky about what I drizzle over my salads. You won’t catch me reaching for those overly processed, chemical-laden bottled dressings that leave your taste buds more confused than delighted.

While in the summer, my bowl is usually filled with crisp greens and light, bright dressings, in the colder months, I gravitate toward robust salads made with root vegetables, healthy grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. The dressings shift to thicker, creamier creations that pair beautifully with the season’s heartier ingredients. One of my favorite autumn salads combines quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, almonds, and dried cranberries. The perfect finishing touch? A nutty tahini dressing in all its luscious glory, combined with a hint of savory sesame oil, a sweet note of maple syrup, and a spritz of zesty lemon. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Is This Tahini Salad Dressing With Lemon Healthy?

Yes, especially if you compare it to most store-bought dressings. The tahini, olive oil, and sesame oil are all sources of healthy fats, while the fresh lemon adds vitamin C. Yes, there is maple syrup in the recipe, but you can omit it or replace it with date syrup, which is a whole-food sweetener.

Dressing Up Your Dressing

While I agree that one should never change a winning combo, the great thing about this recipe is that it offers plenty of room for you to tweak it according to your tastes.

For aromatic freshness, try adding finely chopped herbs like parsley, cilantro, or dill, perhaps with a pinch of ground cumin or coriander to enhance the earthy flavors. If you happen to be a fan of spice, adding harissa paste, sriracha, or chili flakes would be a great idea. Like smoky flavors? A touch of smoked paprika or some chipotle paste should do the trick. To give the dressing a rich umami boost, I love adding white or yellow miso paste, which pairs really well with tahini.

Serving Suggestions

This incredibly adaptable tahini dressing works wonders on virtually any salad greens or grain bowls. I love drizzling it over a bowl of Rice Pilaf topped with Sautéed Broccolini and Crispy And Healthy Baked Tofu. It’s also a perfect dip for this Baked Falafel Recipe. You might want to double the recipe—it’s that good!

Recipe