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Tahini mustard dressing is a simple recipe that blends Dijon mustard, tahini, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Enjoy this flavorful dressing on salads, grain bowls, or as a vegetable dip.
It only takes about 5 minutes to whip up this tahini dijon dressing and it works great for meal prep. Whether you're vegan, gluten-free, or love trying new dressings on your greens, it’s an excellent choice to elevate any dish it's added to.
The creamy dressing is easy to make at home and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Add fresh garlic or fresh herbs to change up the dressing. Adjust the water added to make a thin dressing for vegan Buddha bowls or a thick dressing to be used as a dip.
For more Dijon mustard-inspired dressings, try my creamy Dijon cashew dressing recipe or vegan honey mustard dressing. If you want more ideas for tahini-based dressing, try oil-free hummus, smoky tahini dressing, or lemon herb tahini dressing with cilantro. For more plant-based salad dressing recipes, check out my post for oil-free dressings.
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Recipe feature
- Only four simple ingredients are needed (plus water)!
- There’s no blending, no soaking nuts, just a bowl and a whisk (plus measuring utensils).
- Easy to whip up in 5 minutes.
- Works great for meal prep!
- Vegan, dairy-free, plant-based, gluten-free, and oil-free!
- Customize to suit your taste preferences by adding fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or dill.
Ingredient notes
The ingredients for the maple mustard tahini dressing are simple, but please see the recipe card below for exact measurements.
Tahini - This is the main ingredient used to create a creamy dressing and bind all the lovely flavors together. Use a good quality pourable tahini. Stir before measuring, the contents at the bottom of the jar tend to be drier than the top.
Dijon-style mustard - Adds flavor and a little tang. I wouldn’t substitute it with regular yellow mustard, but spicy brown mustard should work. It will have a slightly different flavor. For mustard inspired dressing try, spicy mustard dressing or vegan honey mustard dressing.
Maple syrup - Adds just a little sweetness. Agave syrup should work as a substitute.
Lemon juice - The acidity cuts through the bitterness of tahini and brightens up the dressing. Apple cider vinegar should work, but add half the amount, then taste, and add more if needed.
Variations
Fresh herbs: Try adding herbs like freshly chopped cilantro, parsley, and dill.
Dried spices: Add garlic powder, ground cumin, or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
Tips
- The tahini will seize up when you add the lemon juice, the water will thin it back out to become pourable.
- Use quality tahini since it's the prominent flavor in the dressing.
- How much water you’ll need depends on how thick your tahini is and if you want the dressing thicker to be used as a dip or thinner to be used as a dressing.
How to make tahini mustard dressing
1. Whisk together the tahini, dijon mustard, maple syrup, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
2. The dressing will thicken up, then slowly drizzle in 2 tablespoons of water while whisking until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. How much water you’ll need will depend on how thin your tahini is. Start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed.
3. Finally, taste and adjust to suit your preferences, more sweetener, lemon, or mustard. You can also add herbs such as parsley or dill for more flavor.
Serving suggestions
This versatile dressing pairs well with a variety of dishes, but here are a few suggestions.
- Drizzle on roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots.
- As a dressing for salads.
- Use it as a dip for raw veggies
- Try it on a butternut squash bowl or a vegetable rice bowl with chickpeas.
- Enjoy it on kale salad with sweet potatoes.
- Add it to a beetroot Buddha bowl with chickpeas and broccoli.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week. It may thicken after being refrigerated. If it does, whisk in a tablespoon of water at a time to thin it out until it reaches your desired consistency.
Frequently asked questions
Tahini is made by grinding up sesame seeds to create a creamy paste. It’s a great alternative to use as a base for nut-free dairy-free creamy dressings. It has a nutty flavor and tends to be a little bitter, which will vary from brand to brand.
Tahini should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat and moisture. It doesn’t have to be kept in the refrigerator, but it can be if you want a more spreadable tahini versus a pourable. You may want to store it in the refrigerator if you live in a humid climate. Once tahini has been mixed with water or other ingredients, then store the sauce in the refrigerator.
Look for tahini in the grocery store's international section or near the nut and seed butter. If it's not available at your local shop, it can be purchased on Amazon.
Related recipes
- Creamy dijon cashew dressing
- Oil-Free strawberry vinaigrette
- Oil-free hummus or hummus without garlic
- Vegan honey mustard (uses maple syrup)
I hope you enjoy this recipe for vegan dijon tahini dressing! If you like the recipe, feel free to rate it and leave a comment.
Recipe
Tahini Mustard Dressing
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Tahini mustard dressing is a simple recipe that blends Dijon mustard, tahini, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Enjoy this flavorful dressing on salads, grain bowls, or as a vegetable dip.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons dijon style mustard
- 1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- 2-4 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Whisk together the tahini, dijon mustard, maple syrup, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. The dressing will become thick.
- Then whisk in two tablespoons of water, and add the additional tablespoons for a thinner texture (1 tablespoon at a time) until the dressing reaches your desired consistency. (See notes)
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- The dressing may thicken after being stored in the fridge, add a tablespoon of water at a time to thin out.
Notes
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: dressing
- Method: whisk by hand
- Cuisine: American
Macy
This was super simple, thanks for the recipe!
Allie
You're welcome, I'm glad you liked the recipe!