Cilantro Tahini Dressing! This delicious dressing or dip is made with tahini -- a ground sesame seed paste -- and is so versatile! Use it as a dip, spread or dressing for an unexpected creamy richness without any dairy.
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Recipe inspiration can strike at any time. For me, a trip to the farmer's market inspired this incredibly tasty Cilantro Tahini Dressing!
This spread gets its green hue from a hefty handful of cilantro, which plays nicely with the nutty tahini, lemon juice and garlic that help to give it its unique flavor.
It is incredibly simple to blitz together in the blender as a perfect dressing for drizzling over salads, proteins or grains. Left on the thicker side, it can be served as a flavorful dip to serve with vegetables or pita chips. Thinned with a little extra water, it's a perfect dressing or sauce to drizzle over greens or any dish for additional flavor.
Looking for more delicious dips & spreads? Check out my easy White Bean Dip, refreshing Benedictine Spread, or this unique Dill Pickle Dip!
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.
Ingredients
- Tahini. Tahini is a paste made from hulled, toasted sesame seeds. It has a nutty flavor with a slight bitterness. Many regular grocery stores now carry tahini, but it can also be found in specialty markets.
- Olive oil. This recipe can really be made with any oil. I've used flax oil to make it as well.
- Garlic
- Cilantro
- Ground cumin
- Sea salt
- Lemon juice
- Water. Water will help to thin out the mixture to the desired consistency. Add more to turn it into a dressing or sauce and less if you'd like to serve it as a dip or spread.
Instructions
First, place all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
The mixture may seem slightly runny at first but it will thicken up as it chills in the refrigerator.
Refrigerate for 2-3 hours to allow flavors to marry.
For a thinner consistency that can be used as a dressing, add a few more tablespoons of water until the desired thickness is reached.
Serve with crudités, crackers or as a spread in sandwiches and wraps or drizzled over salad as a dressing.
Recipe FAQ's
Tahini is a past made from toasted, hulled sesame seeds that are ground until smooth, like a nut butter. This Middle Eastern condiment can be found in hummus and baba ghanoush, or can be served on its own.
Yes. It actually tastes better after it has been chilled and the flavors have been allowed to marry and intensify.
Place the dressing in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Some separation can occur with tahini; if separation occurs, give it a good stir to combine.
Variations & Substitutions
Want to switch things up? Try these variations:
- Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing. Use any combination of herbs and the zest of one lemon for extra lemony flavor.
- Tahini Yogurt Dressing. Add extra creaminess and tanginess by blending in ¼ cup of plain yogurt.
- Spicy Tahini Dressing. Add half of a jalapeno pepper or a ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to give it some heat.
Cilantro Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- ¾ cup tahini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 cup cilantro
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup water see notes
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- The spread may seem slightly runny at first but will thicken up as it chills in the refrigerator. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours to allow flavors to marry. Serve with crudites, crackers or as a spread in sandwiches and wraps.
Notes
- Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing. Use any combination of herbs and the zest of one lemon for extra lemony flavor.
- Tahini Yogurt Dressing. Add extra creaminess and tanginess by blending in ¼ cup of plain yogurt.
- Spicy Tahini Dressing. Add half of a jalapeno pepper or a ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to give it some heat.
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