Chicken Free Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Bright, nutty, and tangy all at once, this lemon-tahini dressing is the kind of sauce that makes everything it touches taste more exciting. Sesame paste forms the creamy backbone, while fresh lemon juice and a hint of cumin cut through the richness with just the right amount of zip. The technique of adding cold water one tablespoon at a time is the real secret — it transforms that thick, seized paste into a silky, pourable ribbon that clings beautifully to greens, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or warm flatbread. Every single ingredient here is plant-based and straightforward, so there's zero guesswork about what's in it. A small grating of garlic ties everything together with a gentle bite that doesn't overpower the other flavors. Make a batch, keep it in the fridge, and watch it disappear faster than you expect.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- ⅓ cup tahini
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3–4 tbsp cold water, plus more as needed
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and cumin until combined — the mixture will seize and look thick and paste-like at first.
- 2
Drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until incorporated.
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