This Spicy Lemon Tahini dressing has a spicy kick! It pairs perfectly with your favorite salads, grain bowls, burrito bowls, or roasted vegetables and it also tastes delicious as a dip for fresh vegetables or sourdough bread.

A jar with spicy tahini dressing next to a lemon cut in half on a green wood surface

We absolutely love cooking with tahini! It’s one of the most versatile ingredients out there, and this tahini dressing recipe showcases exactly how delicious it can be. This is a simple salad dressing with just a few ingredients and a splash of dragon sauce to bring on the heat!

You only need a couple of minutes to make homemade salad dressing. This tahini dressing recipe is not only naturally vegan but it's also gluten-free. Making it at home vs buying saves you money and will take your salads, roasted veggies, and grain bowls to a brand-new level and it’ll taste totally luxurious!

What is Tahini?

Tahini is a paste made of ground sesame seeds and it’s used as a base in hummus and baba ghanoush. If you aren’t yet familiar with all the wonders of tahini, prepare to be impressed! You can use tahini not only in savory dishes but also in sweet recipes such as Tahini Date Caramel, Halva Bars, and sweet potato brownies. On its own tahini has a savory, nutty flavor that’s so good we often use it as a substitute for nut butters in recipes!

Ingredients to make Spicy tahini dressing labeled: tahini, lemon juice, water, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, salt and green dragon sauce

Lemon Tahini Dressing Recipe Ingredients

You’ll only need a couple ingredients to make this incredibly flavorful homemade salad dressing!

Tahini - Buy a high-quality tahini!
Lemon juice - Use freshly squeezed if possible. When you whisk the tahini and lemon juice you’ll see the sauce start to thicken.
Apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar - This gives it the classic dressing taste with a little bite of vinegar.
Maple syrup - The sweetness of maple is an ideal balance for the other more savory, bitter flavors in this tahini salad dressing.
Spicy green dragon sauce - Any hot sauce will do here, which lets you adjust the spice to your own personal preference. We love spicy green dragon sauce!

How to Use Spicy Tahini Dressing

Our favorite thing about this creamy tahini dressing is how versatile it is! Put it over a summery salad with fresh tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet corn. It’s also delicious on a savory winter bowl of root veggies and dark greens!

How to Make Homemade Tahini Salad Dressing

Making your own tahini salad dressing is incredibly easy. You only need a bowl and a whisk! Add the lemon and tahini and whisk until they thicken. Then add in cold water, salt, and the remaining ingredients. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. You can also use a blender to make your tahini dressing, specially if you are using the thicker tahini found at the bottom of tahini jar.

Tahini paste in a bowl — Mix tahini with lemon, the mixture will thicken

Mixing the tahini dressing in a bowl — Mix tahini with lemon, the mixture will thicken

Scooping some spicy tahini dressing from a jar next to a lemon cut in half

More Recipes with Tahini

DID YOU LIKE OUR SPICY TAHINI DRESSING?

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