Turkey 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 better. Sesame paste forms the creamy base, while fresh lemon juice and a hint of garlic give it that sharp, addictive edge — finished with a whisper of cumin for warmth. The technique is simple but satisfying: the tahini seizes up dramatically at first, then transforms into a silky, pourable ribbon once you work in the olive oil and cold water. It's completely plant-based and built entirely from pantry staples, so there's no guesswork about hidden animal-derived ingredients. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, grain bowls, falafel, or a simple salad and watch it disappear fast. The optional lemon zest is worth adding if you have it — it lifts the whole dressing and makes the citrus pop in a way that juice alone can't quite achieve. Make a batch, keep it in the fridge, and you'll find yourself reaching for it all week long.
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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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