Description
This easy lemon tahini dressing is a creamy, tangy, and subtly smoky sauce perfect for salads, bowls, or as a dip. Made with simple ingredients like tahini, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and optional smoked paprika and chives, it comes together in minutes with no cooking required.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup/agave if vegan)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
- 3 tablespoons water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives
Instructions
- Prepare Tahini Base: Give the tahini a good stir in its jar to re-incorporate separated oils. In a medium bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of tahini, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey, minced garlic, ground cumin (if using), and 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth.
- Adjust Consistency: Gradually whisk in additional water, adding 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dressing reaches your preferred consistency. Typically, a total of 3 tablespoons water is ideal for a creamy, pourable dressing.
- Season and Enhance Flavor: Taste the dressing and season with salt and pepper as needed. If desired, whisk in 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika for a smoky note and stir in 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives for freshness. Mix well to combine all flavors.
Notes
- The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Adjust the water quantity to achieve a thicker or thinner dressing depending on your use.
- Maple syrup or agave nectar can be swapped for honey to make this dressing vegan.
- Fresh lemon juice is preferred over bottled for a brighter flavor.
- Use smoked paprika and chives to add extra depth and freshness, but these can be omitted if unavailable.
