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Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing

Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing

It just takes a minute or two to make this delicious and easy lemon tahini dressing that is a delicious salad dressing or versatile sauce.  Simply combine lemon juice, water, and tahini with a little sea salt for a creamy and tangy sauce that is gluten-free and vegan!

lemon tahini sauce in small container with salad in background

What is tahini?

Tahini is a paste of ground-up sesame seeds.  It is high in protein and full of healthy, unsaturated fats. 

Tahini is a pantry staple in our house.  I buy my tahini from Trader Joe’s (and no, I am not compensated for recommending it). Trader Joe’s tahini is organic, packaged in a glass jar, and priced reasonably. 

I use tahini in homemade hummus, as the binder for my protein-packed homemade granola, and in this delicious and simple Lemon Tahini dressing.

Tahini-based creamy sauce

Adding lemon juice and water transform tahini transforms it from an oily paste into a thick and creamy sauce.

whole30 compliant lemon tahini sauce
Adding lemon juice to tahini
vegan lemon tahini sauce
Simply whisk thoroughly to create a thick and creamy mixture

You can change the amount of water you add to the lemon tahini mixture to create your preferred sauce consistency.  My recipe, as written, makes a thin tahini dressing that is ideal for adding (generously) to salads.

vegan lemon tahini dressing
Add sea salt and adjust water to reach your desired thickness

Do you want a sauce that is a little thicker to serve with grilled veggies?  Try using a ¼ cup of water instead.  For a thick sauce that goes well with grilled chicken, reduce the water to only 2 tablespoons.

This recipe makes approximately 1.5 cups of lemon tahini sauce.

Store this lemon tahini dressing for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing Recipe

Vegan lemon tahini sauce that is Whole30 compliant and keto friendly

Lemon Tahini Dressing

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Creamy and tangy dairy-free dressing made from 3 simple ingredients.  {Gluten-free, Dairy-free}

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup water, depending on desired thickness
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt

Instructions

  1. Whisk together tahini and lemon juice. The mixture will become very thick
  2. Add water until desired consistency is reached
  3. Season with salt to taste

Notes

Recipe makes approximately 1.5 cups of sauce.  Nutrition information is based on a 2 tablespoon serving.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 61Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 103mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 2g

Nutrition information calculated by Nutritionix

This lemon tahini salad dressing is delicious on salads, roast veggies, falafel, and even with grilled chicken or lamb.  Though it is fast to make, I try to keep some on hand for pulling together a salad bowl with leftovers and either baby spinach or arugula for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing serving suggestions: 

Serve this lemon tahini dressing as a sauce with this favorite herby grilled chicken.  

Whole30 Lemon rosemary grilled chicken recipe
Sheet Pan whole30 chicken shawarma recipe

Lemon tahini sauce is a perfect topping to this delicious sheet-pan chicken shawarma dinner

This lemon tahini sauce is also delicious as a salad dressing on your favorite greens and veggies.  It is also the perfect tangy addition to this hearty arugula lentil salad with avocado and roasted tomatoes.

Other delicious homemade salad dressing recipes you will love:

Keto ginger miso dressing recipe for buddha bowls

Pin recipe for later:

Vegan lemon tahini sauce recipe

This recipe was originally published in Aug, 2017 and recently updated with enhanced instructions and refreshed photos.

Renee D Kohley

Wednesday 22nd of May 2019

Oh gosh that sure is easy! What a tasty dressing to change salads up! Thank you!

Jennifer

Monday 3rd of September 2018

Sounds delicious and making some today! About How long Do you think this dressing would last in fridge ?

Meredith

Monday 3rd of September 2018

Hi Jennifer - this dressing lasts about a week in the fridge. I hope you like it!

Tatiana

Monday 16th of April 2018

Tahini and falafel is a classic combo and how about adding this dressing over some roasted salmon? Did you try? Eather way tahini dressing is something I would love to have in my fridge every day, delicious

Meredith

Wednesday 18th of April 2018

Tatiana - What a great suggestion! I will definitely have to try this lemon tahini sauce on roasted salmon. I hope you enjoy it!

Monique

Friday 13th of April 2018

So simple, so good! I love making tahini dressing :) Sometimes I add a little yoghurt too and it makes a yummy creamy addition to salad bowls or with meatballs!

Meredith

Friday 13th of April 2018

Thanks Monique! I also love adding this tahini dressing to lamb meatballs! I hope you enjoy it!

Yvonne

Thursday 12th of April 2018

Love the simplicity of this dressing. I bet it would be so good with roasted vegetables.

Meredith

Friday 13th of April 2018

Hi Yvonne - yes! this dressing is delicious with roasted veggies. I hope you enjoy it!

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