This tahini dressing is silky, bright, and incredibly flavorful, making it perfect for drizzling over salads, vegetables, proteins, and grain bowls. As a professional chef, I’ve tested countless methods to create ultra-creamy dressings without dairy. My go-to trick? Ice cubes. They transform tahini into a light, velvety emulsion that’s rich, smooth, and surprisingly refreshing.
Made from ground sesame seeds, tahini delivers a bold, nutty flavor and a naturally luscious texture. It’s the backbone of classic hummus, baba ghanoush, and now, this creamy dressing. Once you taste how smooth and versatile this version is, you’ll want to keep a jar in the fridge at all times.
Why This Tahini Dressing Recipe Works?
Many tahini dressings turn out to be too thick, bitter, or gritty. This version solves that with a chef-tested technique: blending in ice-cold water to create an airy, whipped emulsion that feels rich without any heaviness.
Bright lemon juice cuts through the natural density of tahini, garlic adds depth, and maple syrup rounds out the flavor with a touch of sweetness. The result is a creamy, balanced dressing that’s dairy-free, vegan, and ready in minutes; you’ll crave it all week long.
Ingredient Notes for Tahini Dressing
Tahini: A creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds, tahini is a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. I recommend using hulled tahini for dressings — it has a smoother texture and milder flavor than unhulled varieties, which retain the bitter outer shell. Always choose a high-quality brand; the taste and consistency make all the difference in this recipe.
Chef’s Tip: Hulled = smoother and milder. Unhulled = more fiber, more bitterness.
Lemon Juice: Fresh-squeezed lemon juice brightens the dressing and balances the richness of the tahini. Bottled juice won’t deliver the same clean acidity.
Maple Syrup: A small amount of maple syrup softens tahini’s intensity and smooths out the sharpness of raw garlic. You can substitute honey, agave, or date syrup depending on your flavor profile or dietary needs.
Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the dressing its savory backbone.
Ice Cubes or Ice Water: This is the step that transforms the texture. Cold water helps emulsify the tahini, suspending the fat molecules and creating a whipped, velvety consistency. Never use warm water it can cause the dressing to seize or separate.
Salt: Salt enhances every element, especially the sweetness, nuttiness, and acidity. Adjust to taste after blending.
Find the full recipe with measurements and instructions in the card below.
Easy Tahini Dressing Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup tahini (hulled, well-stirred)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1.5 tbs maple syrup (or honey,agave, or date syrup)
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 ice cubes
- 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Juice the lemon and measure out all ingredients.
- In a blender or food processor, combine tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup (or sweetener of choice) , garlic, and olive oil. Blend until smooth.
- While blending, add 2 ice cubes (or very cold water) one at a time until the dressing becomes creamy and light.
- Add kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Blend briefly to combine.
- Use immediately or store in a sealed jar in the fridge.
Notes
- Tahini Tip: Use high-quality, well-stirred tahini for the best flavor and consistency. Some tahini brands are thicker than others. Adjust the amount of ice water as needed to achieve your preferred texture.
- Cold Water = Creamy Dressing: Blending in ice water is the secret to creating a light, whipped texture. The cold temperature helps suspend the fat molecules in the tahini, making your dressing ultra-smooth and airy.
- Sweetener Swaps: While maple syrup is my favorite, you can substitute honey, agave, or even date syrup. Just aim for balance; a touch of sweetness rounds out the richness of the sesame.
- Make It Your Own: This tahini dressing is endlessly versatile! Add herbs, miso, lemon zest, or spices to create flavor variations for different cuisines.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. If it thickens while chilling, stir in a splash of cold water before serving.
Nutrition
Step-by-Step: Making Tahini Dressing
This visual guide walks you through exactly how I make this tahini dressing in my kitchen: light, creamy, and full of flavor every time.
Prep Your Ingredients: Juice the lemon and measure out all the ingredients before you start. Having your mise en place ready makes for a smoother, more efficient blending process.
Add to a Blender or Food Processor: Combine the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup (or other sweetener), garlic, and olive oil. Blend on high until smooth.
Chef’s Tip: No blender? No problem. Mince the garlic finely and whisk everything together with ice water in a bowl. It may be a bit less airy, but it will still taste fantastic.
Emulsify with Ice Cubes (Or Ice Water): With the machine running, slowly add the ice cubes or a steady stream of ice water. This step is key; the cold temperature creates a light, whipped texture and prevents the tahini from seizing.
Season to Taste: Add kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to finish. Blend again briefly, then taste and adjust as needed.
Tahini Dressing Variations and Tips
This tahini dressing is endlessly adaptable; one base, infinite possibilities. Use it as your creamy canvas and “zhuzh” it up with these chef-tested ideas:
Add Heat: Spice things up with a seeded jalapeño, habanero, or a pinch of cayenne, red chili flakes, chili oil, or chili crisp. The creamy sesame base balances bold heat beautifully.
Add Fresh Herbs: Blend in soft herbs like parsley, dill, cilantro, mint, basil, or tarragon for brightness and color. Adding herbs is a great way to match the dressing to spring or summer produce.
Add Umami: Boost the savoriness with 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of white miso paste, a splash of soy sauce or fish sauce , or a hint of minced anchovies. These deepen flavor without overpowering.
Global Flavor Profiles to Try
- Asian-Inspired: Add soy sauce, peanut butter, sesame oil, fresh ginger, and rice vinegar It pairs well with cold noodles or grilled tofu.
- Mediterranean: Stir in lemon zest, sumac and oregano. Perfect over tabbouleh, grilled eggplant, or chickpeas.
- Italian-Inspired: Blend with roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil for a rich, authentic flavor. Delicious over hearty salads with croutons.
- Mexican-Inspired: Mix in lime juice, cumin, chili powder, and chopped cilantro. A bold addition to grain bowls or tacos with black beans and avocado.
Pro Tip: A simple formula of tahini, acid, sweetener, and aromatics is endlessly riffable. Don’t be afraid to experiment; you’ll be surprised how easily it can transform with a few tweaks.
How to Use Tahini Dressing
This tahini dressing is a versatile staple in my kitchen, perfect for drizzling, dolloping, or tossing. Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate it into meals:
Salads: Elevate your salads with a creamy drizzle of tahini dressing. It’s exceptional on mixed greens, hearty chopped salads, or grain-based salads, such as tabbouleh . Try it with my Brussels sprout salad, cucumber tomato salad or colorful corn salad for a delightful twist.
Vegetables: Enhance the flavor of steamed or roasted vegetables with this dressing. It’s particularly delicious over air-fried broccoli, roasted beets, sautéed kale, baby bok choy, miso eggplant, roasted peppers, roasted tomatoes, and crispy turnips.
Proteins: Use tahini dressing as a sauce for various proteins. It pairs wonderfully with poached or shredded chicken, pan-seared salmon, or even a soft-boiled egg, adding richness and depth to your dishes.
Grain, Rice & Pasta Bowls: Drizzle tahini dressing over bowls filled with farro, bulgur wheat, steamed rice, or pearled couscous. Its nutty flavor complements the grains and adds a creamy texture to your bowl meals.
How to Store Tahini Dressing
This tahini dressing is perfect for meal prep and maintains its quality with proper storage:
Refrigerator: Store the dressing in an airtight container for up to 7 days. If it thickens over time, stir in a splash of cold water or lemon juice to restore its creamy consistency.
Freezer: Freezing is not recommended, as it can cause the dressing to separate and become grainy upon thawing. For optimal texture and flavor, prepare fresh batches as needed.
Chef’s Tip: Separation is natural. Always stir the dressing before serving to ensure a uniform texture.
FAQs
Tahini can seize up when a small amount of water-based liquid is added, causing the solid particles to clump together. This is a natural reaction due to the tahini’s composition. To achieve a smooth consistency, gradually add cold water while stirring or blending until the mixture emulsifies into a creamy texture.
Yes! It’s made from sesame seeds (rich in healthy fats, calcium, and protein) and is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.Yes! Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds, which are rich in healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals like calcium and iron. It’s naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan, making it a nutritious addition to any diet. However, it’s also calorie-dense, so moderation is key.Yes! It’s made from sesame seeds (rich in healthy fats, calcium, and protein) and is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.
More Favorite Dressings and Sauces to Try
Looking for more bold, bright, and creamy dressings to elevate your meals? Try these reader favorites:
- Avocado Dressing
- Basil Vinaigrette
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Dill Sauce
- Tahini Sauce
- Peanut Sauce
- Nuoc Cham Sauce
- Pistachio Pesto
