Rice 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 a silky, pourable consistency that clings beautifully to salads, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or anything else you want to drizzle it over. 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're in the mood. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of rice and rice-derived additives — no fillers, no starch thickeners, just whole pantry staples doing exactly what they're supposed to do. The whisking technique is key: adding the cold water gradually transforms what starts as a thick, seized paste into something smooth and glossy. It comes together in minutes and keeps well in the fridge, thinning back out with just a splash of water when needed.
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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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