Easy meal prep: make this sweet and savory tahini dressing

Truth be told, I love a bottled salad dressing—the flavors, convenience, and shelf-stability get me every time. But in an effort to waste less and experiment more, I’ve been playing around with simple yet flavorful dressings (and sauces). Enter: this sweet and savory tahini dressing. It’s rich, creamy, and comes together in less than 5 minutes. Best of all, it’s extremely versatile. Dress up your weekday sandwich, salad, or everything-but-the-kitchen-sink meal with this vegan and gluten-free sauce.

WHAT IS TAHINI?

Tahini is a paste. It’s made from toasted, ground hulled sesame. That’s it. Tahini (or tahina) is a Middle Eastern condiment. Served by itself or as a major ingredient in hummus, baba ghanoush, and halva, tahini is used in cuisines all over the world. Tahini is full of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It’s a great source of phosphorus and manganese, both of which play vital roles in bone health. It’s also high in B vitamins, which are important for energy production. Last but not least, tahini is rich in anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fats—key for decreasing the risk of chronic disease and helping balance hormones.

ways to use tahini

On its own, it has a fairly earthy and savory flavor. One of my favorite things about tahini? It’s incredibly versatile. Eat it straight out of the jar. Add it to your smoothies. Make a creamy dressing with it. Spread some tahini on a rice cake with sea salt and a drizzle of honey. Make hummus. Whip up energy bites. The sky’s the limit. You can easily find it in grocery stores and markets across the U.S. I’ve tried a few different brands, but Soom Foods does it best. Soom makes the creamiest, silkiest, and drippiest (without separation in the jar!) tahini.

ingredients in tahini dressing

drippy tahini

The start of the show! Used as the base of this dressing, tahini provides a silky smooth, beautiful texture to this recipe.

extra-virgin olive oil

For extra healthy fats, anti-inflammatory compounds, and the perfect consistency.

toasted sesame oil

A little bit goes a long way! Toasted sesame oil adds a nutty aroma and pairs well with tahini’s earthy undertones.

cold water

This helps thin out the dressing and cuts some of the intensity of the tahini.

Lemon juice

Every dressing needs some acidity. The lemon juice adds contrast, brightness, and freshness to this otherwise pantry staple-heavy recipe.

maple syrup

For a touch of sweetness! Feel free to omit for an earthier, more savory dressing.

garlic powder

While most recipes call for garlic cloves, I love using garlic powder in this sweet and savory tahini dressing. Garlic powder tastes sweeter and has a less assertive taste than fresh garlic. If you don’t love garlic, garlic powder does not have an overpowering raw garlic note. Along with the lemon juice, the garlic powder brings a brighter flavor to the mix.

sea salt

The ultimate flavor-enhancer. Taste the dressing and add more salt if necessary.

Find the video on Instagram, here.

How to make tahini dressing

It’s pretty fool-proof. Add all ingredients to an airtight mason jar or weck jar. Shake vigorously or whisk. No need to use an immersion blender!

ways to use tahini dressing

My favorite way to use this sweet and savory tahini dressing is atop roasted vegetables, but it’s also delicious drizzled on couscous, used as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, and mixed in a salad with kale or leafy greens.

Find the video on Instagram, here.

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