MSG Free Creamy Tahini Lemon Dressing
Bright, nutty, and silky smooth, this tahini lemon dressing comes together in minutes with nothing more than a bowl and a whisk. Every ingredient here is whole and straightforward — sesame paste, fresh citrus, a drizzle of maple syrup, a pinch of cumin — so there's no guesswork about hidden additives or flavor enhancers lurking in the bottle. That matters more than people realize with store-bought dressings, which often rely on processed flavor boosters to hit that savory depth. This one earns its richness the honest way: the tahini brings body and nuttiness, the lemon cuts through with brightness, and the garlic-infused olive oil adds a mellow, aromatic backbone without any harsh bite. A little cold water whisked in at the end transforms the thick paste into a glossy, pourable ribbon that clings beautifully to greens, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or anything else you want to drizzle it over. The optional fresh parsley at the finish adds a pop of color and a clean herbal note that makes the whole thing feel a little more special.
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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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