MSG Free Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Bright, nutty, and tangy all at once, this lemon-tahini dressing is the kind of thing you'll want to drizzle over absolutely everything. The base is creamy sesame paste loosened with fresh lemon juice and cold water, which creates that silky, pourable consistency that store-bought versions rarely nail. A touch of ground cumin adds warmth without overwhelming the other flavors, and the optional lemon zest gives it an extra citrusy lift that really makes it sing. Because every ingredient here is whole and unprocessed — tahini, olive oil, garlic, lemon — there's no hidden flavor enhancers or additives to worry about, just clean, honest taste. Whisking in the water gradually is the key move; it transforms what starts as a thick, seized paste into something smooth and glossy. Toss it over roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or a simple green salad and watch it disappear fast.
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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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