This gluten-free and sugar-free tahini dressing is creamy, savory, nutty, and ready in five minutes. Drizzle it on salads and Buddha bowls, or toss with pasta for a healthy treat.

This gluten-free and sugar-free tahini dressing is creamy, savory, nutty, and ready in five minutes. Drizzle it on salads and Buddha bowls, or toss with pasta for a healthy treat.

When it comes to clean eating, the trick to falling in love with vegetables is to have a go-to sauce or dressing that you can pour all over them. But not just any dressing. You’ll want one that a) is made with simple, healthy ingredients, b) is low in saturated fat and refined oil-free, c) can be whipped up in five minutes or less, and d) tastes so incredible, you’ll be counting down the minutes until you can eat it again.

This tahini dressing recipe meets all of your needs. It’s my best-kept secret for turning bland veggie dishes and boring green salads into mouth-watering masterpieces. It’s also dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan, making it a crowd pleaser for many dietary preferences.

This gluten-free and sugar-free tahini dressing is creamy, savory, nutty, and ready in five minutes. Drizzle it on salads and Buddha bowls, or toss with pasta for a healthy treat.

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What Is Tahini and How Do You Use it?

If you haven’t tried tahini before, it’s a simple paste made from toasted sesame seeds. It has a subtle nutty taste and is more bitter than other nut butters. You can find it in the condiments aisle or ethnic section at most grocery stores.

As a staple in Middle Eastern and Eastern Mediterranean cooking, you’ll find tahini in savory dishes like hummus, babaganoush, and falafel-stuffed pita.

Creamy Tahini Dressing

I’ve even enjoyed tahini with sweeter dishes, like pancakes and maple syrup, and I came across a recipe for tahini salted fudge. However, depending on the brand you choose and how the tahini was processed, I personally find it can be too overpowering for desserts— so be sure to do a taste test first and experiment at your own discretion.

This tahini dressing calls for only five simple ingredients, such as garlic, salt, and lemon. There’s no need for added oils since the ground sesame seeds lend enough natural oil to the tahini paste. If you want to add a touch of extra-virgin olive oil for flavor, you could, but it’s not necessary to achieve the desired texture.

This gluten-free and sugar-free tahini dressing is creamy, savory, nutty, and ready in five minutes. Drizzle it on salads and Buddha bowls, or toss with pasta for a healthy treat.

If you’re using a food processor or blender, I recommend adding the optional parsley for a pop of freshness and flavor.

No blender or food processor? You can still make this dressing by whisking all the ingredients together in a bowl (and omitting the parsley). Just be sure to use minced garlic or garlic powder if you take that route. I’m confident you’ll love this recipe with either method.

How to Enjoy This Creamy Tahini Dressing

Buddha Bowls

With fresh lemon juice and garlic, this tahini sauce effortlessly dresses up steamed cauliflower, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, quinoa, and kale.

Salad

This Arugula Pear Salad is one of my most popular recipes. It proves simple can be phenomenal with only four ingredients: walnuts, arugula, blue cheese, and pears. What really makes this salad a winner, though, is—you guessed it— the creamy tahini dressing it’s paired with.

Arugula Pear Salad with Tahini Dressing

Veggie Pita

If you’re in a pinch for a quick and healthy lunch, stuff a whole wheat pita with lettuce, avocado, raw veggies like green onions, peppers, tomatoes, and chickpeas or black olives. Then pour the tahini dressing inside.

Pasta

Toss with your favorite pasta for a light, dairy-free pasta sauce. You can dress it up with all kinds of veggies, or keep it nice and simple by mixing in some sauteed greens.

This gluten-free and sugar-free tahini dressing is creamy, savory, nutty, and ready in five minutes. Drizzle it on salads and Buddha bowls, or toss with pasta for a healthy treat.

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This gluten-free and sugar-free tahini dressing is creamy, savory, nutty, and ready in five minutes. Drizzle it on salads and Buddha bowls, or toss with pasta for a healthy treat.

Creamy Tahini Dressing

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Sharon Chen
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cup (8 servings) 1x
  • Category: Gluten Free, Vegan
  • Method: Blend
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This gluten-free and sugar-free tahini dressing is creamy, savory, nutty, and ready in five minutes. Drizzle it on salads and Buddha bowls, or toss with pasta for a healthy treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Juice from 1 lemon, about 2 tablespoons
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Water to thin (3-6 tablespoons)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine tahini, garlic, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and parsley if using a food processor. Add 3 tablespoons water. Process on high speed for 30 seconds. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and process until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
  • Calories: 58
  • Sugar: 0.2g
  • Sodium: 11mg
  • Fat: 5.1g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.7g
  • Carbohydrates: 2.6g
  • Fiber: 0.9g
  • Protein: 1.7g
This gluten-free and sugar-free tahini dressing is creamy, savory, nutty, and ready in five minutes. Drizzle it on salads and Buddha bowls, or toss with pasta for a healthy treat.

About the Author

Sharon Chen, StreetSmart Kitchen
Sharon Chen

Sharon Chen is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and author of the Complete Sous Vide Cookbook. She believes food not only brings healing but also connection. As the creator of StreetSmart Kitchen, she aims to make meal prep easier than ever and help you find balance, ease, joy, and simplicity in the kitchen as you improve your well-being.