5-Minute Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing
Once you learn how to make a really good Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing, your grain bowls will never (ever!) be the same. This version is bright, creamy, garlicky, and incredibly easy to pull together. The lemon balances the nuttiness of the tahini, the herbs add freshness, and the whole thing comes together fast with just a blender and a few simple ingredients!
I’ve made countless tahini dressings over the years, and this is the one I keep coming back to! The problem I’ve seen with tahini dressings before is that they are too thick and nutty for my taste. This one has lemon zest and lemon juice to really brighten things up, and I added enough garlic so that you can actually taste it (hello, my garlic girlies!). Once you get the hang of thinning it with ice water, you can make it as drizzly or as thick as you want, depending on whether you’re using it on bowls, salads, or roasted veggies.
Tahini can be finicky, but once you understand that it needs water to loosen up and become creamy, everything clicks. I love sharing this technique because it’s such a game changer for home cooks: one simple, homemade dressing that’s bold, fresh, and versatile enough just about anything!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Lemon Herb Tahini
- It’s quick and incredibly easy. Toss everything in a blender, add water, and you’ve got a creamy dressing in minutes.
- Bright, herby flavor that goes with everything. The lemon cuts through the richness of the tahini, and the parsley adds fresh, vibrant flavor.
- Ultra-creamy without any dairy. Tahini naturally emulsifies into a smooth, pourable sauce when blended with water, so you don’t need yogurt or cream.
- Perfect for meal prep. It stays fresh for 5–7 days and tastes even better after a day in the fridge.
- Versatile for bowls, salads, veggies, and more. Once you have a jar of this in the fridge, you’ll start putting it on everything!
What is lemon herb tahini?
Lemon herb tahini is a simple, creamy dressing or sauce made from tahini paste (ground sesame seeds), lemon juice, garlic, fresh herbs, and a splash of water to thin it out. It’s rich and nutty like classic tahini sauce, but the lemon and herbs brighten it up and make it taste extra fresh!
Lemon Herb Tahini Ingredients
- Garlic: Raw garlic gives this lemon herb tahini dressing its punch. Start with 4 cloves or use up to 6 if you’re a garlic girly!
- Tahini paste: Use a good-quality sesame seed paste that’s smooth and pourable. If it’s separated in the jar, stir well before measuring.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and softens the sharpness of the lemon and garlic.
- Lemon (juice + zest): Use both the juice and zest for maximum citrusy flavor. Fresh lemon is key here!
- Cumin: A warm, earthy spice that gives this sauce depth.
- Salt: Start with ½ teaspoon and adjust to taste. I like it a bit saltier and always add around 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
- Fresh parsley: Brightens the sauce and adds a subtle herbal finish.
- Ice water: Helps thin the sauce and creates a light, creamy texture.
Lemon Herb Tahini Variations & Substitutions
- Herbs: You can swap the parsley for cilantro, basil, dill, or a mix of fresh herbs.
- Citrus: Use lime juice instead of lemon for a brighter, sharper flavor.
- Add some sweetness: Stir in honey or maple syrup for a slightly sweeter, more mellow dressing. Or if you taste the tahini and it seems bitter, a little sweetness from honey or maple syrup will help.
- More mild garlic flavor: Make the garlic flavor less strong by using roasted garlic or omitting it entirely.
How to Make Easy Lemon Herb Tahini
For the full ingredients list and instructions, click here.- Blend the ingredients: In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and cumin. Blend until smooth. The mixture will be very thick at first.
- Adjust consistency: With the blender running, slowly add water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. For a pourable sauce, you may need about ⅓ to ½ cup of water total. Add the fresh parsley and pulse until smooth.
- Season and store: Taste and adjust with more lemon juice or salt, if desired. Transfer to a jar or airtight container. The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 5–7 days.
- Serve: Use as a drizzle for grain bowls, roasted vegetables, falafel, grilled meats, or as a dip!
Lauren’s Top Tips for the Best Lemon Herb Tahini
- Use ice water, not room temperature. Ice-cold water helps the tahini emulsify into a smooth, creamy sauce instead of turning grainy or seizing up.
- Add water slowly. Tahini goes from thick to pourable fast, so adding water a tablespoon at a time gives you full control over texture.
- Don’t skip the lemon zest. It adds extra brightness that you can’t get from juice alone!
- Taste and adjust. Whenever you are making a sauce, make sure you taste after blending and see if you like it. You can add more salt or more lemon to balance out the flavors.
How to Use Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce
This lemon herb tahini dressing is incredibly versatile! Drizzle it over grain bowls (like my roasted veggie bowl!) or parmesan roasted vegetables, use it as a dip for pita or falafel, or spoon it over grilled meats like chicken or lamb. It’s also excellent as a salad dressing, especially warm salads!
How to Store Lemon Herb Tahini for Later
Store your lemon tahini sauce in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days. It may thicken slightly as it chills, so just stir in a splash of water or lemon juice before serving to loosen it up.
Lemon Herb Tahini FAQs
Yes! If you finely mince the garlic and parsley, you can whisk everything together by hand. The texture will be slightly more rustic, but still delicious.
Parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, and mint all pair beautifully with tahini. Parsley is the most classic choice, but mixing herbs gives the dressing a deeper, more complex flavor.
Yes! Typically, tahini sauce is naturally vegan and dairy-free.
It’s creamy, nutty, bright, garlicky, and slightly tangy with fresh herbal notes. The lemon lifts the richness of the tahini so it tastes lighter and more balanced.
Yes! Lemon is essential in tahini sauces. Its acidity balances the natural earthiness of tahini and keeps the sauce from tasting too heavy.
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Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Blend the ingredients: In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and cumin. Blend until smooth. The mixture will be very thick at first.
- Adjust consistency: With the blender running, slowly add water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. For a pourable sauce, you may need about ⅓ to ½ cup of water total. Add the fresh parsley and pulse until smooth.
- Season and store: Taste and adjust with more lemon juice or salt, if desired. Transfer to a jar or airtight container. The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 5–7 days.
- Serve: Use as a drizzle for grain bowls, roasted vegetables, falafel, grilled meats, or as a dip!
Nutrition
Notes
- Use ice water, not room temperature. Ice-cold water helps the tahini emulsify into a smooth, creamy sauce instead of turning grainy or seizing up.
- Add water slowly. Tahini goes from thick to pourable fast, so adding water a tablespoon at a time gives you full control over texture.
- Don’t skip the lemon zest. It adds extra brightness that you can’t get from juice alone!
- Taste and adjust. Whenever you are making a sauce, make sure you taste after blending and see if you like it. You can add more salt or more lemon to balance out the flavors.
