Pecan Free Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Bright, creamy, and packed with nutty depth, this lemon-tahini dressing is the kind of sauce that makes everything it touches taste more interesting. The base is sesame tahini whisked together with fresh lemon juice, a hint of raw garlic, and a warm touch of cumin — no tree nuts anywhere in the picture. One of the trickier parts of store-bought dressings is that shared facilities can introduce unexpected allergens, so making your own from scratch puts you completely in control. The technique here is satisfyingly simple: whisk the tahini with lemon and garlic first, then stream in olive oil and cold water until the dressing loosens into a silky, pourable ribbon. That gradual addition of cold water is the real trick — it transforms what starts as a thick, seized paste into something smooth and luscious. A little lemon zest stirred in at the end adds an optional brightness that takes the whole thing up a notch. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, grain bowls, salads, or anything that could use a hit of tangy, savory richness.
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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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