Creamy Tahini Lemon Sauce (Printable)

Smooth tahini blended with lemon, garlic, and olive oil, ideal for enhancing salads and bowls.

# What you need:

→ Base

01 - 1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
02 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (approximately 1 large lemon)
03 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
04 - 2 tablespoons water, plus additional as needed

→ Flavorings

05 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced or grated
06 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)

# How to make it:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and 2 tablespoons water until the mixture reaches a smooth and creamy consistency.
02 - Add the minced garlic, maple syrup or honey if using, salt, and cumin if using. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are fully integrated.
03 - Achieve desired consistency by adding water one tablespoon at a time, whisking between additions, until the dressing becomes pourable and maintains a creamy texture.
04 - Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, lemon juice, or sweetener to achieve your preferred flavor profile.
05 - Use immediately as a dressing or dip, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Stir or shake vigorously before each use.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in five minutes with basic pantry staples you probably already have.
  • One batch transforms salads, grain bowls, roasted vegetables, and even grilled proteins into something restaurant-quality.
  • It's vegan, gluten-free, and tastes even better the next day when flavors settle and deepen.
02 -
  • Tahini separates when it sits; if yours looks weeping and oily, that's normal—whisk it back together before using.
  • Add water slowly and taste constantly, because once you've added too much, you can't undo it and the whole batch becomes watery.
03 -
  • If your tahini tastes bitter, try a different brand—quality varies dramatically and changes everything about the final dressing.
  • Whisk by hand rather than blending; a blender aerates the mixture and makes it feel fluffy rather than silky, losing that luxurious mouthfeel.
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