Lemon Tahini Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Skip grocery store salad dressings. Instead, make this creamy, citrusy tahini vinaigrette. This dressing is made with simple ingredients and comes together in just 2 minutes. 

Make this dressing for your favorite salad, or prep in advance for an easy chicken marinade, grain bowl, or veggie dip throughout the week. 

Ingredients Needed to Make This Creamy Dressing

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 tablespoons tahini (the star ingredient!)
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt
• pepper

What is Tahini? And the Best Tahini Brands

• Tahini is what makes this dressing super creamy.
• Tahini is a sesame seed paste with a nutty flavor, similar to the consistency of creamy peanut butter.
• It’s made by blending sesame seeds.
• Tahini is used in Middle Eastern cuisine to make hummus, baba ganoush, and other dishes. 
• You’ll find tahini in most grocery stores around the world. Minimalist Baker has a fantastic guide on how to find good quality tahini.  Or you can make your own tahini with sesame seeds.

How to Make Homemade Tahini

Don’t want to buy tahini at the store? Check out this homemade tahini recipe. Here’s a quick summary: 

• Toast 1 cup of sesame seeds in a skillet over medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning the spoon. 
• Spread the seeds over a cookie sheet to cool. 
• Once cool, place the toasted seeds in a food processor and blend until creamy, stopping to scrape the sides of the food processor as needed. Stir in a pinch or two of salt at the end. You may need to add 2-4 tablespoons of oil to the paste to achieve a creamy tahini like you’ll find in the store.
• Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Tahini Salad Dressing Variations 

Use the base ingredients of olive oil, tahini, acid (vinegar or citrus juice), garlic, salt, and pepper and change the dressing based on your taste preferences. Here are a few ideas:

• Maple Tahini Dressing: Add a little sweetener with 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup (or honey). Tahini paste can have a bitter flavor (delicious, in my opinion). The maple syrup/honey cuts through the bitterness of the tahini. 
• Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing: Add 1-2 tablespoons of freshly chopped herbs. My favorite fresh herbs: basil, parsley, or mint.  
• Balsamic Dressing: Add 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar instead of lemon juice. 

Customize This Recipe: Learn how to customize and create different tahini dressing variations.

How to Make This Salad Dressing

• Step 1: Add the olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to a small jar (like an 8-ounce mason jar). Seal the jar with a lid.
• Step 2: Shake the jar to combine the ingredients. Or, add the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine.  
• Step 3: That’s it! Now you’re ready to use the dressing or store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and use later. 

How to Store 

• Store the dressing in the fridge, in an air-tight container, for up to 2 weeks. 
• The creamy tahini dressing will solidify in the cold fridge. The solution? Leave the jar on the counter until the ingredients are liquid (about 30 minutes), then shake or whisk. Or, run warm water over the outside of the jar, then shake. This will help emulsify the ingredients after separating in the fridge. Place the dressing back in the fridge after use and repeat as needed.

How to Make a Delicious Green Salad With This Dressing 

Use any of the following ingredients to make a delicious salad, then mix with the dressing.

• Leafy Greens: arugula, baby kale, romaine lettuce, butter lettuce, spring/baby greens 
• ​Bell Peppers (how to store bell peppers)
• Celery (how to store celery)
• Radishes (how to store radishes)
• Tomatoes 
• Carrots (how to store carrots)
• Cucumbers 
• Red Onion or Green Onion 
• Nuts and Seeds: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, slivered or chopped almonds
• Cheese: goat cheese, feta, parmesan, blue cheese, gorgonzola, asiago 
• Cooked Chickpeas 

Favorite Ways to Use This Dressing (Beyond a Green Salad)

Here are other delicious ways to use this dressing: 

• Mediterranean Salad: Combine veggies, feta cheese, olives, and quinoa, then top with dressing. 
• Roasted Vegetable Drizzle: Roast your favorite veggies (I’m obsessed with roasted frozen veggies). After roasting, drizzle with dressing. 
• Chicken Marinade: Place chicken breasts or thighs in a bag and pour this dressing over the top for a marinade. Marinate for up to 24 hours (at least 30 minutes) in the fridge, then bake, grill, or cook on the stove-top. Here’s my favorite grilled chicken method. 
• Grain Bowls: Also known as “Buddha Bowls.” Combine a grain, protein, and roasted veggies in a bowl, then drizzle with dressing. 
• Pasta Salad: Combine pasta, salami, cheese, tomatoes, then toss with the vinaigrette. 
• Wrap: Make a lunch or dinner wrap with a tortilla, sliced deli meat or shredded chicken, lettuce, cucumbers, and bell pepper strips. Lightly drizzle this incredible dressing over the top, then roll up and enjoy! 
• Dip: Use as a dip for fresh veggies, like carrots or cucumbers.