Walnut Free Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Bright, garlicky, and silky smooth, this lemon-tahini dressing is the kind of condiment that makes everything it touches taste more interesting. The base is pure sesame paste whisked together with fresh lemon juice, a hint of cumin, and good olive oil — no nuts, no hidden fillers, just clean, bold flavor. One of the trickier things about store-bought dressings is that they often share production lines with tree nuts, so making your own from scratch is a genuinely smart move. The technique here is satisfying to watch: the tahini seizes up into a thick paste at first, then gradually loosens into a glossy, pourable ribbon as you add cold water tablespoon by tablespoon. A little lemon zest stirred in at the end gives it an extra pop of citrus that takes the whole thing up a notch. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, grain bowls, salads, or grilled chicken — honestly, it works on almost anything. Keep a jar 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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