This is my go-to salad dressing and I will tell you why: It’s super simple to make; all you need is a whisk and a bowl, unlike my Vegan Ranch or Vegan Caesar that require a high powered blender. Besides being ridiculously easy, this maple tahini dressing is creamy and bright with natural sweetness. It tastes great with kale, romaine, spinach or even arugula based salads. This dressing can be used for more than just salads, too!
What is tahini?
Tahini is basically just ground up sesame seeds, or sesame seed butter. The taste of tahini is very unique – nutty, a little earthy and bitter but not in a bad way. It is used in hummus, served with falafel and is a staple in both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Tahini is pretty easy to find nowadays. I almost always get it at Trader Joe’s because I shop there frequently and it’s a great price, but many other stores have it as well.
How to make tahini dressing
In a bowl, add 1/2 cup of tahini, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup maple syrup (or less if you don’t want a sweet dressing) and a little salt. Whisk well until creamy and smooth. Add 2-4 tablespoons of water to reach a desirable consistency. That’s it!
Tips
Use high quality tahini that is smooth, not chunky or too thick.If your tahini IS chunky or has gotten really hard in the fridge, use an immersion blender or regular blender instead of a whisk.If you don’t want the dressing very sweet, use less maple syrup or none at all.It will thicken as it sits, so add more water as needed before serving, especially after it’s been stored in the refrigerator.
What goes well with tahini dressing?
Dark leafy green salads, such as kale, spinach or arugulaRomaine based leafy green saladsSalad toppings: chickpeas, avocado, cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes and even brown riceDrizzle it on a buddha bowl with rice, beans and veggiesFalafelVeggie BurgersSteamed or roasted broccoli or brussels sprouts
