I’m fairly obsessed with my basic tahini dressing and I eat it with my salads far too frequently for any psychologically stable person .. so I decided it was time to switch things up.
I have to be honest, I had a slight panic as I dumped the turmeric into the jar. “what if this isn’t good and I just wasted a delicious dressing sauce??” I couldn’t shake the feeling and as I let the flavors mix and settle in I tried to calm myself down and convince myself that this would be worth it. And you know what?? It totally was.
Turmeric is such a great flavor to add to dishes that adds such a pungent depth that is hard to achieve with traditional American spices (well, spices used more often in the U.S. …). Turmeric is a very popular Indian spice and is used in a lot of eastern and Asian dishes. The most notable quality of turmeric is that it is an incredible anti-inflammatory agent because of the curcumin.
Jump ahead for my vegan turmeric tahini dressing recipe. I’m going to go through a few details to help you customize your homemade turmeric tahini dressing.
Tips for the perfect tahini base
I’ve found that the perfect tahini dressing really comes down to the perfect balance between sweet and sour. The maple syrup should balance the tartness of the apple cider vinegar (or fresh lemon juice). The tahini sauce will pull it all together. Olive oil become emulsified in the blender or food processor. Use water to achieve the right consistency.
PRO TIP: Tahini dressing gets thick in the fridge, so make this recipe slightly runnier than you think you’ll want it.
What to do with tahini
If you’re looking for a versatile dressing that can do it all, look no further than turmeric tahini. This dynamic condiment can function as a sauce, spread, and dip, making it the ultimate plant-based pantry staple. But don’t just take our word for it – here are a few creative ways to incorporate turmeric tahini dressing into your vegan meals:
- This turmeric tahini dressing really shines as a salad dressing. It’s especially tasty on hearty greens like kale, rainbow chard, mustard greens, or shaved broccoli and brussels sprouts.
- Elevate your buddha bowl with a turmeric tahini sauce or drizzle. My favorite combo is cooked quinoa, roasted veggies, sweet potatoes, and fresh herbs (usually cilantro).
- Turmeric tahini dressing makes a delicious dip for all your favorite crunchies, from carrots and celery to chips and fritters.
- Drizzle this turmeric tahini on top of your roasted veggies for a flavor boost. Broccolini, sweet potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, or brussels sprouts are my favorites!
- Make your sandwiches and wraps extra tasty by using turmeric tahini as a spread, or slather it on top of some avocado toast for a tasty vegan breakfast.
Golden turmeric tahini dressing ingredients
- Tahini: a creamy base that’s perfect for showcasing quality tahini
- Turmeric: adds a strong, earthy flavor and vibrant yellow color to the dressing
- Water: helps make the dressing pourable, adjust the amount to your desired thickness
- Garlic: raw garlic adds a bit of bite to the dressing
- Maple syrup or brown sugar: adds depth of flavor and a touch of sweetness
- Lemon juice: adds acidity, can also use lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- Black pepper: enhances the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric and adds a hint of heat
- Salt: try using course kosher salt for the best flavor, such as Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- Ginger: this is a fun way to add zing to the flavor, but is totally optional because I know it’s not for everyone
How to make the turmeric tahini dressing
In a medium bowl, mix together the tahini, lemon juice, oil, honey, ginger, turmeric, garlic and salt and pepper.
Or add the ingredients into a blender and process until smooth.
Add water to thin out the dressing so that it’s become pourable if needed.
Substitutions
This versatile recipe is the perfect canvas for creativity and can be easily adapted to suit your preferences and pantry staples.
- Don’t have tahini? No problem! Unsweetened almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter make tasty substitutes.
- Don’t have maple syrup? Use brown sugar or honey instead.
- If you’re out of lime juice, no worries – lemon juice or apple cider vinegar will do the trick.
If you want to enhance your homemade dressing, then here are a few of my favorite additions for a delish variation:
- red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper (just a pinch!)
- nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor
- swap the spice for cumin, coriander, or your favorite spice
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tahini Dressing Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 tsp maple syrup (or honey)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh ginger (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the tahini, lemon juice, oil, honey, ginger, turmeric, garlic and salt and pepper.
- Or add the ingredients into a blender and process until smooth.
- Add water to thin out the dressing so that it’s become pourable if needed.
Common questions
Is tahini spicy?
Tahini is not typically considered spicy. It is made from ground sesame seeds, which have a nutty and slightly bitter flavor. While tahini can be used in spicy dishes, such as harissa, the flavor of the tahini itself is not typically spicy. However, some brands of tahini may include spices or chili peppers in their ingredients, which could give the tahini a spicy kick.
What’s a tahini sauce alternative?
A tahini sauce alternative could be a nut butter or seed butter, such as cashew butter or almond butter. These can provide a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor to tahini sauce, although they may have a slightly sweeter taste due to the natural sugars in the nuts. Alternatively, you could use hummus as a tahini sauce alternative, as it is made with tahini and can provide a similar flavor and texture.
What does tahini go with?
This Middle Eastern condiment is the perfect partner for hummus and babaganoush, but it’s so much more than a hummus booster. Made with toasted, ground sesame seeds, tahini brings an earthy, nutty, and slightly bitter flavor to the table (or the fridge, since it’s usually stored there). Unlike other nut butters, tahini won’t give your dishes a sweet kick, making it the ideal choice for savory recipes. So go ahead, spread some tahini love on your meals and taste the magic for yourself!
I'm the same way. When i get a dressing that I like I run with it forever. I think I'll give your Tahini dressing a try!
Okay good, I'm not the only one 😉 Seriously though. Sometimes I have to protect myself from my obsessions haha I hope you like the tahini recipe! It is totally versatile, too. You can add ingredients to it depending on your mood and it's like a brand new dressing!
I do not like miso. Would you have a suggested substitute? Thank you.
aww that's too bad! The miso isn't too noticeable in this dressing and it mostly provides a salty touch to it. I also like to use it to add bulk and give it a umami depth. I have a feeling that you could leave it out and it'd still be just as delicious! Just add a touch more tahini to carry the bulk, or alternatively, pull back on the liquids so it has the same consistency.