How to Make Tahini Dressing

Ready to learn my go-to dressing that’s perfect for salads, bowls, falafel, and more?

Allow me to introduce my 3-ingredient tahini dressing that’s so delicious it’s like liquid gold. I always have some on hand!

What is Tahini?

Tahini is made by grinding sesame seeds into a smooth paste. Sometimes the sesame seeds are hulled, sometimes they’re left unhulled; sometimes roasted, sometimes raw. Our favorite way to use tahini? THIS tahini dressing!

Origin of Tahini

Tahini is an Arabic name for ground sesame seeds. However, its origins are thought to have been in Persia, where it was called “ardeh.” Tahini later found its way to Israel and was held as a delicacy as sesame seeds were rather expensive to procure. In some cultures, tahini was even used as currency. (source) We hope you LOVE this easy dressing that’s perfect for salads, falafel, roasted veggies, and more!

How to Make Tahini Dressing

A creamy, rich sauce of tahini (sesame paste), lemon juice, and maple syrup! Add garlic or salt for extra flavor. The perfect dressing or sauce for salads, falafel, sandwiches, and more!

Author Minimalist Baker

Print SAVE SAVED

4.87 from 95 votes

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 4 (3-Tbsp servings)

Course Dressing, Sauce

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Middle Eastern-Inspired, Vegan

Freezer Friendly No

Does it keep? 5 Days

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

• 1/3 cup tahini (ground sesame seeds – I love Alexis brand! For other brands, see our tahini review)
• 1 medium lemon, juiced (1 medium lemon yields ~3 Tbsp or 45 ml)
• 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup (or sub agave – or honey if not vegan)
• 1 pinch sea salt (optional)
• 1 clove garlic (minced // optional)
• Water (to thin // ~3-6 Tbsp or 45-90 ml as original recipe is written)

Instructions

• To a medium mixing bowl, add tahini, lemon juice, and maple syrup. If adding salt and garlic, add now (optional).
• Whisk to combine. Then slowly add water until creamy and pourable. The mixture may seize up and thicken at first, but continue adding water a little at a time and whisking until creamy and smooth.
• Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more lemon juice for acidity, salt for saltiness, or maple syrup for sweetness.
• Enjoy fresh, or store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 5 days (sometimes longer). This is delicious on things like Salads, Falafel, Fritters, Buddha Bowls, and more!

Video

Notes

*Recipe makes ~3/4 cup dressing.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without salt or garlic.

Nutrition (1 of 4 servings)

Serving: 1 three-tablespoon serving Calories: 133 Carbohydrates: 8.1 g Protein: 3.6 g Fat: 10.8 g Saturated Fat: 1.5 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 24 mg Fiber: 2.3 g Sugar: 2.7 g