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Veggies taste better when covered with a bright-n-creamy dressing. My tahini dressing recipe is incredibly simple to create and can turn a variety of vegetables into savory treats. I originally created this tahini salad dressing for my Chickpea Salad, yet feel free to use it on the salad of your choice!

This recipe can be used in a variety of ways so feel free to make a whole jar and drizzle over veggies, other salads and more.

tahini dressing in clear glass jar surrounded by ingredients used to make this recipe.

Recipe Tips

  • Use quality olive oil. Homemade dressing is the perfect time to pull out that high-end olive oil in the back of the pantry. You know, the one you found at the artisan oil shop but can’t bring yourself to use on veggies? I can tell the difference when using different olive oils in dressing since the amounts are more concentrated. So find a good one (you don’t need a big bottle of it!) and enjoy.
  • Find a brand of tahini you like. Tahini is slightly bitter and definitely has a flavor. Make sure the one you use is one you like! I prefer Trader Joe’s brand. It even comes in a cute jar.
  • The end consistency should be pourable, not a dip. My tahini dressing recipe would honestly make a great dipping sauce if you cut back slightly on the liquid to thicken it. Yet to make it work well with salads, it has to pour easily. If you whisk the ingredients together and still can’t get it to run slightly, add just a bit more oil or water until the proper consistency is achieved.
How do you make tahini dressing?

My dressing uses tahini, fresh orange juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, tamari and a bit of minced garlic. It’s citrus-y and super creamy.

What goes well with tahini dressing?

I love the Mediterranean-inspired flavor that goes into this dressing and primarily use it on my Sweet and Crunchy Chickpea Salad, full of chickpeas, cucumbers, bell pepper, spinach, carrots and seeds.

What does tahini taste like?

Tahini is made from sesame seeds. It looks like peanut butter but isn’t sweet. Instead, it’s got an earthy, slightly bitter taste.

Recipe Card

Creamy Citrus Tahini Dressing

Jen Hansard
5 (2)
This citrus tahini dressing shakes up in minutes with fresh orange juice, good olive oil, apple cider vinegar and a splash of tamari for a nutty, bright flavor. Drizzle it over grain bowls and salads or set it out as a dip on a snack board.
Review Save Print Pin
tahini salad dressing
Serves2 (2 tbsp)
Prep10 minutes
Total time10 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoon tahini
  • 2 tablespoon orange juiced
  • 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon raw apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon tamari
  • ½ garlic clove minced

Instructions 

  • Whisk the tahini, orange juice, olive oil, vinegar, tamari and garlic together until well combined. Add a little more oil or water if the dressing is too thick.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Equipment

2-in-1 citrus squeezer
air tight container
seal-tight glass bowl
Set of four gold-handled whisks on a black grill pan for cooking.
stainless whisk set
Set of gold measuring spoons on a white surface for cooking and baking.
Le Creuset spoons

Recipe Notes

  • Ingredient Swaps: Sunflower butter, almond butter or cashew butter can replace the tahini, though the texture will change.
  • Olive Oil Tip: Use a good-tasting extra-virgin olive oil here; its flavor really comes through.
  • Soy-Free: Use coconut aminos instead of tamari to make the dressing soy-free. Either way, taste before adding any salt.
  • Storing: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and shake well before using.

Nutrition

Calories228 kcal
Carbohydrates7 g
Protein3 g
Fat22 g
Fiber1 g

Serving: 2 tbsp | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13 g | Sodium: 7 mg | Potassium: 118 mg | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 44 IU | Vitamin C: 9 mg | Calcium: 31 mg | Iron: 1 mg

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whisking tahini salad dressing recipe in a white bowl.

Easy Ingredient Swaps

If you’ve never tried tahini before, this is the perfect recipe for your first taste test. Tahini is a healthy fat made from ground sesame seeds in Mediterranean dishes.

  • If you know tahini isn’t your thing, or you don’t have it on hand, swap in almond, sunflower or cashew butter. Know the result will vary in consistency and thickness.
  • Orange juice brings a bit of sweetness to this dressing yet can be swapped with a Meyer lemon or tangerine.
  • Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce, so if you avoid soy ingredients, then swap this for coconut aminos.
freeA bowl of ready-to-eat creamy vegetable soup next to silver spoons.

November 9-13, 2026

Jen’s Free Soup Challenge

I’d love for you to soup it up with me! For 5 days, I’ll send you a daily veggie-packed soup that’s easy enough for a busy weeknight and makes enough to freeze and pull out all winter.

ingredients for a nut free dressing including tamari, tahini, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and garlic cloves.