Big. Powerful. Herbalicious flavor. Are you ready to punch your salad in the face?
If you’re searching for the next big, super-healthy, no-oil, no-added-salt, nutritarian dressing…
Welcome to Herb Tahini Nirvana
Namaste.
You don’t understand how foolishly happy I am to share this recipe with you!
First off, it’s my very first copy-cat recipe! That’s right, if you’re a Trader Joe’s frequenter then perhaps you’ve come across their new Green Tahini Dip & Sauce in the hummus and salsa area.
It was love at first bite for me–and I knew I had only one mission: to nutritarian-ize it so I could dip, dunk and drizzle it to my heart’s content!
We’re talking about some epic flavor here: lemon, garlic, dill, parsley, mint, cilantro and green onion all blended into creamy tahini.
You have to go with fresh herbs for this herb tahini dressing, no exceptions.
Much like with my No-Oil Tofu Ranch Dressing recipe, when you can’t add salt or oil to a salad dressing, you depend on gaining that robust flavor you crave from fresh ingredients!
This dressing comes together quick. All you’ll need is a high-power blender!
I opted to do a rough-chop of all the herbs and green onions so that there would be minimal time blending.
There are only 3 spices at play here: cumin, no-salt seasoning and garlic powder.
You can totally go with fresh garlic in this recipe but I find that my garlic breath is just a little-less-making-babies-cry when I opt for garlic powder. I reserve my fresh garlic dishes for dinner so only my hubby has to deal with me.
My absolute favorite no-salt seasoning is this Kirkland brand from Costco:
And since the whole point of this dressing is for it to have no oil, you’re going to want to pay attention to the kind of tahini you’re using–sometimes they sneak oil up in there!
This is the brand that I use, and it has only one ingredient: sesame seeds!
If you’re a bold-flavor-lover then you’re going to love this Herb Tahini dressing!
It’s creamy, savory, fresh, bright, lemony, garlicy and fragrant. It will be perfect over a bed of crispy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, shredded carrots, red cabbage and onions!
It also make a fantastic pesto served with bean pasta!
No-Oil Herb Tahini Dressing
Bright flavorful fresh herbs blended with lemon, spices and tahini makes the perfect healthful, savory, no-oil, no-added-salt, nutritarian-plan-friendly dressing and dip!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup tahini (one ingredient: sesame seeds)
- 3/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup chopped curley parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped green onion
- 1/3 cup chopped dill
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tsp garlic powder (or 1 whole fresh clove)
- 1 - 2 tsp no-salt seasoning (to your taste)
Instructions
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Add all ingredients into a high-powered blender. Blend on high for about 20 to 30 seconds depending on the power of your blender. Monitor to make sure that there are still visible bits of herbs remaining.
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Use a spatula to scrape down sides.
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The consistency will be more of a dip, to make it thinner for a dressing just empty it into a large mixing bowl (we don't want to break up the herbs anymore in the blender) and add 1/4 cup water and mix well. Continue to adjust until you reach your desired consistency.
Recipe Notes
Store in an air-tight glass container (I highly recommend Mason jars for dressing storage), keeps for 7 days.
Please leave a comment if you give this herb tahini dressing recipe a try, I love hearing your recipe feedback!
This was so good and so easy! I didn’t have mint on hand, but I went for it anyways. Love it.
Hi Jordan!
Yay!! I’m so happy you gave it a try and liked it!
Next time you have mint on hand, it really provides a lovely layer of flavor!
Thank yous o much for leaving a comment too!
xo, Kristen
Thank you so much for this recipe and so many of your others! They are just the type of recipes I am looking for to live my plant based diet as best as I can! They are delicious and healthy! I really appreciate what you are doing here.
Hi Emily!
Thank you so very much for taking the time to leave a comment and what lovely words!
Hearing this kind of feedback from readers is exactly what motivates me to keep going! I’m so happy that you are finding the content useful!
Wishing you the best on your plant-based journey!
xo< Kristen
This became so suitable and so clean! I didn’t have mint on hand, but i went for it anyhow. Find it irresistible.
So nice to meet you Hamza!
YAY!!! I’m so glad you liked this recipe!! It’s one of my all-time favorite dressings/sauces and it goes beautifully with everything!!
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
xo, Kristen
YUM!!!! I licked the spatula clean–what an awesome dressing. I used dried dill because the store did not have fresh and it was still delicious! I’m committing to the 6 week plan, starting tonight (because why wait until the morning???)!
Love, Love, Love Your Site !
Thank You for the recipes !
Hi Sandy!
Thank you so much for taking the time to review this recipe and for your very-kind words!!
I’m so happy you’re enjoying the site!
xo, Kristen
This looks great. Do you know how tahini is counted toward the daily nutrition/allowance?
Thanks!
Hi Elisabeth!
Yes, tahini falls under our 2 ounce nut and seed allowance. For this dressing I’d recommend no more than 3 tbsp. on your salad on a given day if you’re following the Aggressive Weight Loss plan!
This is one of my most favorite dressings / sauces!
Hope you love it!
xo, Kristen
I meant nut/seed allowance.
Just a quick question: the blog says “There are only 3 spices at play here: cumin, no-salt seasoning and garlic powder.” But I don’t see cumin mentioned in the ingredients on the recipe. Is cumin a good addition to the recipe? I ended up leaving it out. Anyways, I made this recipe this morning. Thought it was pretty good, but I’m going to add less water- probably a half-cup next time. Just seemed a bit thin, though my tahini is perhaps thinner. I just started going salt-free, and my taste buds aren’t loving tahini dressings. It tastes somewhat bitter to me. However, I hope that with time, I’ll start enjoying tahini and vinegar-based dressings more. I’m going to keep this recipe in mind as a base for future dressings- just switching out different herbs, spices etc. Love the site, keep up the good recipes!
Hi Jennifer!
Thanks so much for letting me know! I don’t know why I listed cumin because I never make it with any, lol! I will edit the post!
This is my favorite, favorite dressing and sauce! It is more of a dressing consistency but you can certainly decrease the water like you said to make it thicker!
Yes, your tastebuds will change with time, I promise!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment and for finding that error!
xo, Kristen
Your No-oil Herb Tahini Dressing is so delicious! If I hadn’t known it was tahini based, I would have thought it was cream based like a ranch dressing. It’s my new favorite. Thanks for creating and sharing it Kristen!
Hi Amy!
Oh, that’s so wonderful to hear! This is my favorite dressing too–hits so many flavor points!
I’m so excited to share a new recipe and video later this month that uses this dressing–so stay tuned!
xo, Kristen
Um…. I have to say I couldn’t do this one. I was bitter and so tangy it made me crunch my eyes shut they were watering so much. I double-checked the recipe, and I don’t think I messed it up (which is likely for me). I felt bad since I spent $12 on organic herbs (too bad you can’t just buy what you need). I know supposedly my taste buds will change, but I don’t think they will even change this much. Yowza. I just ended up throwing it all away plus having a mess to clean up. I am actually coming to the conclusion all this food prep is going to be a show-stopper for me and that frustration played into this kitchen episode too. Thanks for your efforts though.
Hi Sally,
So sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the Herb Tahini sauce! I literally eat this weekly–I love it so, so much. But as we all know, tastes are different.
I definitely wouldn’t let making a recipe you didn’t end up liking keep you from continuing on and finding the recipes you’re going to love and that will serve you reaching your health goals.
Just like recipes in real life (The Standard American Diet) you have to go through some trial-and-error to get to those gems you’re going to love!
Don’t let a set-back derail your efforts–you’ve got this!
xo, Kristen
Hey Sally,
Maybe give the No-Oil Citrus Salad Dressing recipe a try. I also had trouble with the Tahini dressing…see my comment below yours…but the Citrus dressing was delish. I did use hemp-hearts in place of sesame seeds. Also the creamier-style dressings are great if you don’t like too much “zing” !
I agree with Kristin..The Nutritarian program is so amazing–skip over the stuff that doesn’t work and stick with the rest. It’s a life-changer in so many ways ! (-;
Hello Kristen,
I stumbled onto your site and I’m hooked! I entered into the Nurtirtarian way very slowly. You have made it so much easier to pick up some steam.
Question- When using sesame seeds instead of tahini, what is the ration of seeds to aquafaba to make the called for 1/4 cup tahini in this recipe?
Thank you! You’re such a blessing!
Just tried this one. For some reason it came out quite thin and watery with lemon being the predominant flavor..I added about a 1/4 of a block of tofu, 2 TBSP of nutritional yeast to thicken it a bit and a date (to cut the strong, sour-lemon vibe !). Enjoying a huge salad now with the dressing drizzled all over and it IS super yummy ! I’ll try it again sometime and use a tad less than the 1/4 lemon juice and a bit less water to see if I get a thicker dressing. (-:
Hello! Made this tonight and as others said didn’t have the mint and still loved it. Next time I will try and remember to buy some. Can you please tell me how many servings this recipes makes?
I am so thrilled to stumble upon your site. I discovered Dr Furhman 12 years ago. A friend recommended him to me when I had found out I had a brain tumor and wanted to clean up my diet. I read his book, and changed my diet. ( and my life!) It gave me hope and something positive to focus on. I started feeling great and all sorts of inflammatory health issues like asthma plaguing me disappeared. I am still a vegan and thankfully in the past 12 years my tumor has not grown! I love the recipes and all that you have put into your site! I am now a health coach working with special needs adults, so your site will help me to help othes, THANK YOU.
Welcome Nicole,
I’m SO happy you made your way here and it’s wonderful to hear about your own healing story and how you’re now helping other to heal themselves!!
xo, Kristen
You reference in the write up that 3 spices are used: cumin, garlic, and no-salt seasoning, but in the actual recipe cumin isn’t listed. Is it supposed to have cumin?
Hi Jess,
Its been some time since I wrote this recipe but I don’t personally make it with cumin so I think that was a mistake! Go by the recipe instructions and I’ll be sure to update that section soon!
xo, Kristen
I would love to know each dressing for what salad, goes good, love love your work and the fridge divine, i have to girls and a meat lover hubby, still working on my fridge but not there yet! Xo
So happy you made your way here, Delia!
I have a free 7-Day Salad Cleanse plan you can learn more about here!
xo, Kristen
Kristen, how many servings does this make? I often get confused by this with Nutritarian. Looking at the ingredients, I think it would be 4 servings based on the 1/4 cup or 4 Tbsp of tahini used. Doesn’t the 1 Tbsp serving equal the nuts and seeds recommended serving per day?
I will try this recipe and respond back again.
Hi Jane,
The recipe makes about 2 cups of dressing/sauce. So that’s about 32 tbsp. of dressing. I’d say 8 servings per batch. That leaves you with 1/2 tbsp. of tahnin per serving and you’ll still have more of your nut and seed allotment for the rest of the day!
All the best,
Kristen
This is wonderful! I think the only drawback is that I don’t always have so many fresh herbs on hand so I have to plan to make this dressing as opposed to just throwing it together.
I am so glad to have found this as I have been so bored with my other dressings – thank you!!!
Hi Susan! Yes, that is completely correct–this is definitely a plan-ahead type of recipe, I agree. But it tastes so freaking delicious that it’s worth the pain in planning it out! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your recipe rating and review.