BHA & BHT Free Creamy Tahini Lemon Dressing
Bright, nutty, and silky smooth, this tahini lemon dressing comes together in a single bowl with nothing more than a whisk and a few pantry staples. Every ingredient here is whole and recognizable — sesame tahini, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, cumin — which is exactly the point when you're trying to avoid synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT that sneak into so many bottled dressings. Store-bought options are notoriously tricky to vet, since those additives often hide in the oils or stabilizers used to extend shelf life. Making it yourself takes about five minutes and gives you total control over what goes in the bottle. The garlic-infused olive oil adds a mellow, savory depth without any harsh bite, while the cumin gives it a warm, earthy undertone that makes it feel like so much more than a simple salad drizzle. A little cold water whisked in at the end brings it to that perfect pourable consistency — glossy, coating, and ready to go over grain bowls, roasted vegetables, or crisp greens. Finish it with a handful of fresh parsley if you have it on hand, and you've got a dressing that tastes like it came from a great restaurant kitchen.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- ½ cup tahini (well-stirred)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
- 3 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil
- 3–4 tbsp cold water, plus more to thin
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp fine salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add the tahini, lemon juice, garlic-infused olive oil, maple syrup, cumin, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and uniform — it will seize and look thick at first, which is expected.
- 2
Add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking after each addition, until the dressing is pourable and coats the back of a spoon — about 3 to 4 tablespoons total. The dressing should flow off the whisk in a thin, steady ribbon.
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