This turmeric tahini dressing is creamy, lemony, and perfectly spiced with cozy, anti-inflammatory turmeric powder. It’s fantastic as a salad dressing, sauce, and dip, so go ahead and double up on the ingredients because you’ll want to put it on everything!
You’re going to love this turmeric tahini dressing recipe. In 5 minutes or less, you’ll make a rich, incredibly flavor tahini dressing with wholesome, plant-based ingredients.
Tangy tahini is sweetened with maple syrup, brightened up with lemon juice and ginger, and finished with the peppery taste of turmeric.
A little bit of turmeric goes a long way. On its own, the flavor is rather powerful, but blending it with various robust flavors calms it down, so it’s pleasantly warm and peppery.
This tahini dressing recipe is the perfect way to incorporate the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric into your diet!
If you like these flavors, you will enjoy this vegan carrot ginger soup and butternut squash curry.
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Origins of Tahini
Enough about turmeric. Let’s talk about tahini. Tahini is a smooth, spreadable seed butter made from ground sesame seeds. It originated in the Middle East and has since become a popular ingredient in dishes worldwide (it’s a staple in hummus).
Not to mention, it’s a fantastic source of nutrients and delightful in salad dressing. It gives whatever it’s added to a smooth, almost dairy-like texture, so it’s a wonderful way to make creamy vegan salad dressings, sauces, and dips.
Adding a jar of tahini to your everyday pantry items is well worth the investment.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make turmeric tahini sauce:
- Tahini: This is your creamy sauce base. Choose quality tahini made with 100% sesame seeds, with a strong but pleasant earthy flavor.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice helps balance any bitter taste from the tahini.
- Water: To loosen up the dressing so it’s thin enough to drizzle. You more or less as you see fit.
- Maple syrup: Adds subtle sweetness and balances out the bold flavors.
- Fresh ginger & garlic: Gives a vibrant, robust flavor.
- Olive oil: Or any neutral-tasting oil. Avocado oil is a great option.
- Salt: Sea salt or kosher salt is best. Add more to taste.
- Turmeric: Turmeric gives the dressing its bright, golden color and subtle warming flavor.
- Pepper: Just a pinch!
How To Make
- Blend ingredients: Add the tahini, lemon juice, water, maple syrup, ginger, garlic, olive oil, and spices to a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend until smooth.
- Taste and adjust flavors: Once blended, give your dressing a quick taste and adjust the flavors to your liking (add more lemon juice, maple syrup, salt, etc.).
- Thin out (if necessary): If the dressing is thicker than you prefer, whisk one tablespoon of water in it at a time to loosen it up.
- Serve: Serve your homemade tahini dressing drizzled over salads, buddha bowls, and more. Enjoy!
How to Store
Fridge: Transfer the dressing to a glass jar or glass container with a secure lid and refrigerate for a week. It may begin to separate as it settles, so give the container a good shake before each use.
Freezing: Unlike dairy-based dressings, tahini-based salad dressings freeze very well. Pour the sauce into a freezer-safe container (leaving room at the top for expansion) or ice cube trays, and freeze for up to 6 months—Thaw in the fridge before serving.
F.A.Q.
It’s simple! Whisk in water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the consistency you prefer. Keep this tip in mind because the dressing will thicken as it sits in the fridge.
Absolutely. All you need to do is use less water. Start with 3 tablespoons, and then add a tablespoon at a time until it’s just right.
Yes! You can also whisk it by hand in a small bowl. Another option is throwing all ingredients into a mason jar and shaking everything up to combine.
If you’re craving more of a kick, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Why I Love This Recipe
- It pairs with a variety of salads.
- Perfect topping for sandwiches and grain bowls.
- Takes less than 5 minutes to make.
- Made with non-dairy, vegan ingredients.
- Sweetened with natural maple syrup, so no added refined sugar.
- It’s a traditional tahini sauce with a turmeric twist.
Where to Use This Dressing
Wondering what to do with golden turmeric tahini dressing? The options are endless, so your homemade dressing certainly won’t be wasted.
Here are a few healthy ways to use tahini dressing:
- Stir it into hot soup like fresh pea soup or middle Eastern lentil soup.
- As a dip for sliced vegetables, crackers, oatcakes, and pita.
- Drizzled over salads like this roasted butternut squash salad and refreshing spring salad.
- Dipping sauce for polenta fries.
- Condiment for your favorite vegan sandwiches.
- Drizzled over roasted veggies like sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and potatoes.
- As a topping for grain bowls like this chickpea buddha bowl.
If you try this turmeric tahini dressing recipe, please leave a comment and a rating and let me know how much you liked it!
Turmeric Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup water - note 1
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger - peeled
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- A pinch of pepper
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. You can also whisk by hand in a small bowl or use a mason jar to shake until combined.
- Taste and adjust the flavor to your liking, adding more lemon juice, maple syrup, or salt.
- If you find the dressing is too thick for your liking, simply add a bit more water, a tablespoon at a time.
- Enjoy fresh on salads, Buddha bowls, and more!
Notes
Nutrition
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