Smoky Tahini Dressing

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, or tahini mustard dressing. For a spicy, smoky dressing, try vegan chipotle mayo 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, start with ⅓ cup then add more if needed.

• 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

All you do is whisk the ingredients together, then thin it out with cold water. 

Add all of the ingredients except the water to a bowl.

Whisk until combined, when you mix everything together it will thicken up.  

Then add the cold water and keep whisking and it will thin out.  How much water you need depends on how smooth your tahini is and your desired consistency.  Start with ⅓ cup for a thicker sauce and ½ cup for a thinner sauce.

It will also last up to a week in the refrigerator in an airtight container, so it’s great for meal prep.  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

• Strawberry vinaigrette
• Vegan peanut sauce
• Oil-free hummus