Nitrate & Nitrite Free Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Bright, nutty, and tangy all at once, this lemon-tahini dressing is the kind of condiment that makes everything it touches taste more interesting. Sesame paste, fresh lemon juice, raw garlic, and a touch of cumin come together in a simple whisk-and-pour method that takes just minutes to pull off. The trick of adding cold water gradually is what transforms the initially thick, seized paste into a silky, pourable dressing — it's a little bit of kitchen magic that never gets old. Because every ingredient here is a whole, unprocessed pantry staple, there's nothing hidden to worry about — no cured meats, no packaged seasonings with questionable additives, just clean, real food. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, grain bowls, salads, or use it as a dip for warm flatbread. The optional lemon zest is worth adding if you have it — it gives the dressing an extra citrus lift that really makes the flavors pop. Make a batch and keep it in the fridge; just stir in a splash of cold water to bring it back to life before serving.
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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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