This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Easy smoky tahini dressing, it's great on buddha bowls, roasted vegetables, as a dip, sauce for roasted sweet potato nourish bowl, or as a creamy dressing for your salad.
This is a simple sauce for mealtime. I love throwing the ingredients together and being able to whip this up in just a couple of minutes. For more tahini-based dressings, try oil-free hummus, lemon herb tahini dressing, tahini lime dressing, or tahini mustard dressing. For a spicy, smoky dressing, try cashew chipotle dressing for burritos, tacos, grain bowls, or roasted potatoes. For more plant-based dressing recipes, check out my post for dairy-free salad dressings.
What is tahini?
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. To cut through the bitterness I like to add a touch of sweetness with maple syrup.
Tips
- If you can't find smoked paprika you can substitute it with the more widely available sweet paprika but you won't get that little hint of smokiness. Or add ⅛ teaspoon of liquid smoke along with the sweet paprika.
- How much water you'll need depends on how thick the tahini is and your desired consistency.
- Leftovers may thicken when the sauce is chilled, add a tablespoon of water at a time and whisk with a fork. Add more water until it reaches your desired dressing/dip consistency.
Instructions
To a bowl, whisk all of the ingredients together except the water.
When you mix everything together, it will thicken.
Then whisk in water to thin, start with 1 tablespoon at a time, and add more until you reach your desired consistency.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week. If the recipe makes more than you need, it can be halved pretty easily.
Serving suggestions
Need inspiration on how to use the dressing?
- Roasted sweet potato nourish bowl
- Chickpea vegetable rice bowl
- Grain or Buddha bowls
- Roasted vegetables or potatoes
- On kale salads
- Drizzle it on veggie burgers or sandwiches
Related recipes
As always, I hope you enjoy this plant-based oil-free smoky tahini dressing! If you like the recipe feel free to rate it and leave a comment.
PrintRecipe
Smoky Tahini Dressing
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Easy smoky tahini dressing, it's great on buddha bowls, roasted vegetables, as a dip, or just a creamy dressing for your salad.
Ingredients
- ½ cup tahini (stir well before measuring)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika (or ⅛ teaspoon liquid smoke and ½ teaspoon paprika)
- ⅓-½ cup ice-cold water
Instructions
- To a bowl, add all of the ingredients except the water, and whisk until combined.
- The dressing will thicken. Then whisk in water to thin, start with 1 tablespoon at a time, and add more until you reach your desired consistency.
- Store for up to a week covered in the refrigerator.
- If the dressing thickens once chilled in the fridge, whisk in a tablespoon of water at a time to thin it out until you reach your desired consistency.
Notes
You can also add just a portion of the water needed in the recipe to the ingredients when you first whisk them together for ease, then add more to thin it out.
How much water you'll need will depend on your tahini, if it's pourable or not (thick).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: dressing, sauce
- Method: mix
- Cuisine: American
Dee Blanch says
Delicious!
Allie says
I'm glad you liked the recipe!
Jeannette Oliver says
It was a little bit flat for me. I added some salt and some dijon mustard. very good!
Allie says
Sorry you thought it was a little flat, but I'm glad you liked it with your additions.
Jamie says
Came out delicious, I used it on your sweet potato bowl! I will definitely make it again.
Allie says
I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe and thanks for commenting!
Kim says
I just made this and it is delicious!!! Planning to put it on my buhhda bowls for lunch next week. Thank you for the recipe!!
Allie says
You're welcome, I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!