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This Lemon Tahini Dressing is possibly one of my favorite salad dressings of all time. It’s rich and creamy, without using dairy or oil! Drench your salads with it, or use it as a healthy dip with veggies.

lemon tahini dressing in a jar

How to Make Lemon Tahini Dressing

Making this creamy tahini dressing is as easy as it gets. You don’t need a blender or any special equipment! Simply stir the tahini, lemon juice, and other ingredients together until smooth and creamy. (It does take a few minutes of stirring to combine.)

lemon tahini dressing over salad

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Choosing the Right Type of Tahini

The reason this tahini dressing is oil-free is because the tahini I’m using has NO added oil. (I use Artisana tahini most often.) If you’re on an oil-free diet, be sure to check on the label on your tahini. The only ingredient should be ground sesame seeds.

If there is added oil in the tahini you have, this recipe won’t work as well because the tahini is probably much runnier in texture. Keep in mind that it’s easy to make your own oil-free tahini at home, too! Just pour hulled sesame seeds into your food processor and grind them until very smooth.

How Long Does Tahini Dressing Last?

This lemon tahini dressing should last up to a week in your fridge. I usually use it all before then! Keep in mind that the garlic flavor tends to get a little more potent as it rests in the fridge, so when I make a double batch of this dressing I don’t always double the garlic so the flavor won’t be too overpowering by the end of the week.

Can You Freeze Tahini Dressing?

This dressing freezes and thaws well! I like to freeze sauces and dressings in a ice cube tray so that they will thaw quickly and are easy to portion later.

More Healthy Tahini Recipes

If you need more ideas on how to use the rest of the tahini in your fridge, give one of these recipes a try!

How to Make Lemon Tahini Dressing (1-Minute Video):

lemon tahini dressing in a jar

Lemon Tahini Dressing (Oil-Free!)

4.97 from 29 votes
This LEMON TAHINI DRESSING is rich and creamy, without using dairy or oil. It's a healthy dip for veggies and is unbelievably delicious over salads!
prep5 mins cook0 mins total5 mins
Servings:10 servings

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1/2 cup raw tahini
  • 1/4 cup water , plus more to thin
  • 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl or mason jar and whisk well to combine. Add extra water one tablespoon at a time, until the dressing is as thin as you'd like it to be, and adjust any seasonings to your taste.
  • This dressing will thicken up when stored in the fridge. It's great as a dip, but if you want to thin it for a salad dressing, just add another tablespoon of water and stir until pourable again. This should last up to a week in the fridge.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 179mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lemon, oil free, salad dressing, tahini
For 2 tablespoons of dressing: Calories: 73, Fat: 6g, Carbohydrates: 3g, Fiber: 1g, Protein: 2g

Recipe Notes:

  • Make sure you use a tahini that has no other ingredients to keep this dressing oil-free. I use Artisana brand most often, and the only ingredient in that is ground sesame seeds.
  • You can make your own tahini in a food processor without using added oil, by grinding hulled sesame seeds until smooth.

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below letting me know what you think! And if you make a substitution, please let us know how it worked for you. We can all benefit from your experience!

Reader Feedback: Do you have a favorite oil-free salad dressing? 

Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. I create healthy recipes made with simple ingredients to make your life easier.

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Comments

  1. This is definitely the best tasting tahini dressing I have ever tried. It’s nice to have an oil free dressing recipe.

  2. I’m new to this oil free craze and just made this – OMG it is SO good! I eat salads with homemade dressing regularly and am so excited to have found an oil free alternative that also tastes amazing. Thank you!

  3. Loved this! I made it in a big bowl, and dumped some cooked quinoa into it. Then I added a several scoops of it on top of a nice salad I had ready. I had a second serving, it was sooooo good !

  4. My tahini says 100% perfect sesame paste so I think i’m good to go. I can not wait to try this

  5. Made this yesterday with sliced cucumbers, carrots, black radish, fennel and celery, topped with dried sour cherries and golden berries. I was born in Israel and love middle eastern food. This recipe is delicious!

  6. This dressing is amazing, but I like to add a bit of maple syrup to balance the flavours. I’m now addicted to it

  7. I make this all the time and love it. I always have fresh herbs growing so I usually throw in some basil and flat leaf parsley, sometimes dill. Pretty darn tasty as a dipping sauce for my oil free falafel too!

  8. I cannot believe how awesome this dressing is!!! I don’t normally leave reviews but I had to on this one. I’m trying my hardest to stay plant based but I missed ranch and Caesar type dressings. Not anymore!! This blows any other dressing I’ve tried out of the water!! I can’t believe how creamy it is without using dairy or like blended tofu! And it’s sooooo easy to make. No blender or food processor or soaking cashews overnight!! I LOVE IT!! Thanks so much for posting this.

    1. I’m replying to my own comment lol. I just wondered if this dressing would be good as a sauce on pasta??!! I feel like it would be great hot too. I’m going to try it. 😉