How to Make The Best Creamy Tahini Dressing

One of the easiest ways to elevate salads, roasted vegetables, or crudités is with a creamy, herb-packed dressing. This Creamy Tahini Dressing blends nutty tahini with lemon, fresh basil, parsley, dill, chives, and olive oil to create a vibrant dressing that tastes luxurious yet is clean and wholesome. Because it’s made in minutes in a blender, it becomes a go-to standby you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again.

Tahini—made from ground sesame seeds—is naturally creamy, rich in healthy fats and minerals, and often used in Middle Eastern sauces. By combining it with a medley of fresh herbs, cold water to thin, and bright citrus, you get a dressing that’s herbaceous, smooth, and versatile. It’s optimized for Paleo and Whole30® diets, and it’s naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan (with no special swaps needed). Use it to dress greens, drizzle over roasted veggies, or dip fresh vegetables — it’s one of those blender sauces you’ll want on rotation.

Below is the full recipe, the instructions, nutrition facts, and extra ideas to play with this dressing.

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Creamy Tahini Dressing Recipe

Recipe Details

Yield: 1 ½ cups
Active time: 5 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

• Zest and juice of 1 small lemon
• 1 garlic clove
• ½ cup organic tahini
• ½ cup cold water
• ½ cup packed basil leaves
• ¼ cup packed parsley leaves
• ¼ cup packed dill fronds
• ¼ cup minced chives
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Recipe Instructions

1. Place all ingredients (lemon zest & juice, garlic, tahini, cold water, basil, parsley, dill, chives, olive oil, salt, pepper) into a high-powered blender.
2. Blend on high for about one minute, or until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and bright green.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, lemon, pepper) as needed.
4. Pour the dressing into a clean jar (16-ounce size works well). Refrigerate; the dressing keeps up to two weeks.
5. Shake well before each use, as slight separation is natural.

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Creamy Tahini Dressing Nutrition Facts

*Estimated per 2-tbsp serving.

Serving Size	2-tbsp
Calories	100
Protein	2 g
Carbs	3 g
Sugar	0.5 g
Fiber	1 g
Fat	9 g

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Variations & Tips for Making Tahini at Home

• Thin It Out: Add an extra 1–2 tablespoons of cold water if you want a pourable vinaigrette consistency instead of thick dip.
• Spice Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce to give it a gentle heat.
• Alternate Greens: Swap basil for arugula or spinach in part for a different herb twist.
• Garlic Adjustment: If garlic is too strong, omit or reduce to half a clove—tahini and herbs still carry flavor.
• Nut-Free Option: Use sunflower seed butter instead of tahini (if dietary restrictions), but adjust seasonings to balance flavor.
• Serve Chilled or Room Temp: Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to soften the texture and meld flavors.

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Best Pairings for Tahini Dressing

• Mixed green salad with cucumbers & tomatoes — drizzle the creamy tahini dressing over crisp greens for a refreshing bite.
• Roasted vegetables (sweet potato, cauliflower, zucchini) — the richness complements earthy roasted notes.
• Grilled chicken or shrimp skewers — acts as a herbaceous dipping sauce or drizzle.
• Falafel or veggie snacks — a great alternative to classic tahini sauce, but creamier.
• Hearty grain bowls or Buddha bowls — use it to tie together grains, greens, proteins, and more.

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When to Make Tahini Dressing

• Summer BBQs & garden parties — use as a dressing or dipping sauce for fresh vegetables or grilled fare.
• Meal-prep lunch series — store in jars for weekday salads or bowls.
• Potluck or buffet tables — a fresh, creamy option that complements many dishes.
• Healthy dinner nights — skip creamy dairy dressings in favor of this light yet satisfying alternative.
• Brunch spreads — pair with grain bowls, roasted veggies, or dips during brunch.

Recipe by Megan Mitchell