Oats 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 interesting. The base is creamy sesame paste loosened with fresh lemon juice and cold water, which creates that silky, pourable consistency that clings beautifully to salads, grain bowls, roasted vegetables, or falafel. A touch of ground cumin adds warmth and depth without overpowering the citrus, and the optional lemon zest pushes the brightness even further if you want it. Every single ingredient here is naturally free from oats and oat derivatives — no thickeners, no fillers, no hidden grains to worry about. That matters more than you might think, since store-bought dressings and condiments sometimes sneak in unexpected additives. Whisking the tahini with lemon juice first is the key move: it seizes up initially, but once you drizzle in the olive oil and water, it transforms into something remarkably smooth and restaurant-worthy. Make a batch at the start of the week and you'll find yourself reaching for it constantly.
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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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