5-Minute Light Tahini Dressing created by a Registered Dietitian. A lighter, lower-calorie dressing that goes with everything-salads, bowls, or roasted veggies. It's bright, creamy, and made with wholesome ingredients-tahini (or any nut or seed butter), zesty lime or rice vinegar, tamari, and a touch of sweetness. Fresh ginger and garlic add depth, while warm water creates the perfect drizzle.
This dressing is incredibly versatile and works well with veggie bowls, salads, roasted vegetables, crudités, and almost anything! Plus, it adds heart-healthy fats to your meal, helping you absorb more fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Pair Creamy Asian Tahini Dressing with this Asian Bean Salad, my Dense Bean Salad, or these Crispy Roasted Potato Bites!
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👩🏼🌾 Ingredients & Health Benefits
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, my goal is to highlight the health benefits of each ingredient. Below, I've included notes on the ingredients from a nutrition expert's perspective.
- Tahini: Rich in healthy fats, plant protein, and minerals like calcium and magnesium.
- Low-sodium tamari or soy sauce: Provides umami flavor and minerals such as manganese.
- Lime juice: Adds brightness and vitamin C to aid iron absorption.
- Date syrup: Natural sweetener with small amounts of antioxidants and minerals.
- Ginger: Supports digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Garlic: Boosts immunity and supports heart health.
- Red chili pepper (optional): May help reduce salt intake.
See the recipe card for quantities.
🫙 Substitutions
This recipe is versatile and easy to adapt. Below are some simple ingredient substitutions.
- Tahini: almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor or allergen-friendly option
- Lime juice: rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
- Ginger: ¼ teaspoon ground ginger for every 1-inch piece of fresh ginger
- Garlic: ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder for every 1 small clove of fresh garlic
- Red chili pepper: omit it for nonspicy
- Tamari: use soy sauce or coconut aminos
For more healthy dressings, visit my Vegan Dressing Recipes page.
📝 Tips for Making Light Tahini Dressing
These additional tips will help you get the best results from this recipe.
- Warm water helps the tahini blend smoothly and prevents it from clumping. Add the water gradually, whisking as you go, until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
- It will thicken slightly as it cools or sits in the fridge, so if it becomes too thick later, just whisk in a splash of warm water or tamari to loosen it again.
Light Tahini Dressing Recipe
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup tahini almond butter, or nut or seed butter
- 3 tablespoons lime juice or rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons date syrup or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 small garlic clove minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
- ⅓ cup warm water plus more as needed
Instructions
- Whisk tahini, lime juice, tamari, date syrup, ginger, garlic, and red pepper with warm water until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust the consistency by adding more warm water, lime juice, date syrup, or tamari until the desired taste and consistency.
Notes
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate. Nutritional values may vary depending on factors such as product types and brands used.
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✔️ Expert Tips
- Separation: When you start mixing, the tahini may initially separate when water is added. Keep stirring, and it will eventually transform into a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Storage: Store light tahini dressing in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
Serving Idea: Light Tahini Dressing pairs deliciously with my High-Protein Tofu Buddha Bowl for a protein-packed meal.
🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
Tahini may initially separate when mixed with water due to its natural oil content. However, continued stirring will help it emulsify and turn creamy.
Yes! Tahini dressing is rich in heart-healthy fats, especially if it's oil-free. It also provides nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and iron from the sesame seeds.
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Let me know your thoughts on Light Tahini Dressing by leaving a ⭐️ rating below or sharing it on Instagram.
Neena Chandiramani says
Great recipe, easy to make!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
Molly says
This is a fabulous version of tahini dressing. Great, balanced flavor. I make a batch and keep it in the fridge. It’s so versatile. I use it on everything!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Yay! So glad you are enjoying this dressing. Thank you.
Ron says
Have always loved everything tahini but have been advised that it lowers platelets which is an issue for me. 2 questions..is there anything I can add to tahini to change its effect on platelets and can I make this recipe with nut butters?
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
I am unaware of any strong scientific evidence showing that tahini (or sesame seeds in general) lowers platelet count in healthy individuals. However, if your doctor has noticed a connection or you have a platelet disorder, it’s best to be cautious. There isn’t anything you can add to tahini to change its effect on platelets—its composition stays the same.
You can absolutely make the recipe with nut butters instead. Almond or cashew butter work especially well—they’re creamy, nutrient-rich, and neutral in flavor. You can use them in equal amounts to tahini, and the recipe will still taste delicious.