How to Make Tahini Dressing (Easy + Customizable!)

You only need 3 simple ingredients to make this amazing Tahini Dressing! It’s customizable, perfect for Meal Prep, and delicious on just about everything.

Even though I’m a food blogger, I still tend to gravitate towards simple and quick recipes in my everyday life. They still have to be tasty though, of course 😉

This Easy Tahini Dressing has become quite the staple for me over the past year. I make it at least 2-3 times per week, so thought it was only right that I put it on the blog. Plus, it’s so dang simple and you only need 3 healthy ingredients to make it.

Those three ingredients? Tahini, Lemon Juice, and Salt. That’s it! 

First Thing’s First, Though: Not all Tahini is created equal.

If you haven’t heard of Tahini before, it’s essentially ground up Sesame Seeds – like Peanut Butter is to Peanuts! It has become increasingly popular and is now available in most grocery stores (in either the “Ethnic Foods” or Nut Butter aisles).

A lot of people tell me that they don’t like Tahini. Honestly, I think 90% of the time this is because they haven’t had good Tahini. Poor quality Tahini can be super thick, bitter, and have a very “earthy” taste to it. High-Quality Tahini should be runny, easily pourable, and smooth. It still has a mild bitterness to it, but I also find that the best brands have a subtle sweetness to them as well.

Considering this dressing only has 3 ingredients, I suggest that you use the highest-quality ingredients that you have access to. In terms of tahini, Soom Foods is my absolute favorite here in the US. It’s so smooth and balanced that I can literally eat it with a spoon! I would also recommend Pepperwood Organics, though I don’t like it as much as Soom Tahini.

Honestly, I do not recommend grocery store Tahini. It’s a waste of your money and you’re going to be disappointed.

Now that that’s over with, let’s move on to the Dressing!

Start by adding the Tahini, Lemon Juice, and Salt to a bowl, then whisk together.

You’ll notice that the Tahini will become thicker as you whisk. Don’t worry, that’s just part of the process!

Now it’s time to thin the dressing out with Water.

Slowly pour the Water into the bowl as you whisk it into the mixture. As a general rule of thumb, I typically use a 1:1 ratio of Tahini:Water in order to get a smooth, pourable dressing. However, this amount does vary slightly every time! I’ll use less water if I want the dressing to be thicker (or used as a dipping sauce), or more if I’d like it to be more of a vinaigrette.

Because of this, I’d recommend adding half of the water to the bowl, then slowly adding the rest while you mix the dressing vigorously.

The dressing will quickly thin out and you’ll be left with a creamy, smooth, and delicious Tahini Dressing!

Want to get fancy? Let’s customize!

Most days I simply make my 3-ingredient Tahini Dressing, but it’s also fun to switch things up from time to time! If you want to add extra pizzazz to your dressing, here are some suggestions:

• Maple Syrup helps to balance the acidity of the Lemon Juice and mutes the bitterness of the Tahini. Personally I love acidity, so I generally skip it. If you prefer sweeter dressings though I would recommend adding a touch!
• Fresh Herbs are a fun and easy way to add a pop of flavor to your dressing. I usually go for Parsley or Dill, but Rosemary would also be great here.
• Dried Spices can also take this dressing to the next level. I would recommend adding a touch of Garlic Powder, Cumin, and/or Red Pepper Flakes, if you like things spicy. If you want an extra bite, I would recommend using a fresh Garlic Clove instead of the dried powder!

And that’s it, folks 😉 I use this Tahini Dressing on Salads, over Buddha Bowls, as a dip for Sweet Potato fries, on Sandwiches, and more! I’d love to hear how you use yours, so leave a comment below. And if you’re looking for more ways to use up your tahini, you’ll also love these recipes for The Best Hummus Ever and this Easy Falafel.

Finally, if you make this recipe and decide to share it on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @FromMyBowl + #FromMyBowl! I love seeing your delicious recreations 🙂

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