Lemon Tahini Dressing (Oil-Free!)

tahini dressing on a spoon over a jar of dressing.

Lemon Tahini Dressing (Oil-Free!)

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: tahini dressing

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 5

Servings:

Calories: 93kcal

Author: Megan Gilmore

If you're trying to cut back on dairy or mayo but still want to enjoy a creamy dressing on your salad, this tahini dressing is for you. It's made with a handful of simple ingredients and reminds me of classic Caesar dressing. There's no oil required!

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Ingredients

½ cup raw tahini
4 to 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
3 garlic cloves , minced
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup water

Instructions

In a 14-ounce jar or larger, add the tahini, 4 tablespoons of lemon juice, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. (Use a microplane to finely mince the garlic directly into the jar.) Stir well, then add the water and stir again.
Taste the dressing and add more lemon juice, just one tablespoon at a time, if you'd like a more tart flavor. If you don't want to add more lemon juice, you may want to add another tablespoon of water to thin the consistency. Once you're happy with the flavor and texture, it's ready to serve.
Secure the lid on the jar and store the dressing in the fridge for up to a week. It will thicken when chilled, so you may want to add another tablespoon of water to thin the consistency when you use it later.

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Notes

Nutrition information is for approximately 2 tablespoons of dressing, assuming you get 1 cup total from this batch. This information is automatically calculated, so it's just an estimate and not a guarantee.

Update Note: This recipe was updated in 2025 with the option for 4 to 6 tablespoons of lemon juice, rather than just calling for 6 tablespoons of lemon juice right away. This is just due to personal preference (lately I've been using only 4), so if you prefer the original recipe you can start with 6 tablespoons right away.

Nutrition