Creamy Sesame Dressing (Printable)

A luscious, nutty dressing with rich sesame flavor complemented by sweetness and tang, ideal for salads, grain bowls, and grilled vegetables.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste)
02 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
03 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free tamari if needed)
04 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
05 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
06 - 2 tablespoons water (plus more as needed to thin)
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

→ Aromatics

08 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
09 - 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

→ Optional

10 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt (for extra creaminess)
11 - 1 to 2 teaspoons Sriracha or chili sauce (for heat)

# Directions:

01 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the tahini, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup or honey, water, and lemon juice until completely smooth and well blended.
02 - Add the minced garlic and grated fresh ginger to the bowl, whisking thoroughly to evenly distribute the aromatics throughout the dressing.
03 - For a richer, creamier texture, whisk in mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. For a spicy kick, add Sriracha or chili sauce to your preferred level of heat.
04 - If the dressing is too thick, thin it out by adding an extra splash of water, one teaspoon at a time, whisking until the desired consistency is reached.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then transfer the dressing to a jar or bottle. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes exactly ten minutes from jar to table and uses ingredients you probably already have hiding in your pantry.
  • The balance of nutty, sweet, tangy, and savory means it works on almost anything you throw at it, from salads to grilled meats.
  • Once you make it, store bought sesame dressing will never taste good enough again.
02 -
  • Tahini behaves differently depending on the brand and how long it has been sitting, so sometimes your dressing will be thick and other times quite runny before you even add water.
  • If the tahini seizes up and gets grainy when you add liquid, keep whisking and add water one teaspoon at a time because it will eventually smooth out and become creamy.
  • This dressing thickens considerably in the fridge, so always stir and thin with a splash of water before using leftovers.
03 -
  • Warm the tahini slightly by letting the jar sit in a bowl of hot water for five minutes before measuring, because warm tahini whisks smooth much faster than cold.
  • The flavor of this dressing improves after resting in the fridge for at least an hour, so make it ahead when you can.

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