This Maple Tahini Dressing strikes the perfect balance between creamy, savory, and sweet. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, it's an incredibly versatile dressing you can use on salads, grain bowls, falafel, and roasted vegetables.
If you're looking for more ways to add flavor without the salt, be sure to explore our full collection of low sodium salad dressing recipes. This creamy tahini maple dressing is also the perfect finishing touch for a satisfying meal—try drizzling it over any of our high protein salads.
This dressing is a healthy choice because it's built on a foundation of whole-food ingredients. It derives its creaminess from tahini (sesame seed paste), which provides healthy unsaturated fats, rather than dairy or mayonnaise. The recipe is naturally low in sodium and uses a modest amount of pure maple syrup for sweetness, avoiding refined sugars.
It has a rich, creamy, and nutty flavor from the tahini, balanced with the subtle sweetness of maple syrup and a bright, tangy finish from fresh lemon juice. The roasted garlic adds a mellow, savory depth.
It's incredibly versatile! Use it on green salads, grain bowls (like quinoa or farro), roasted vegetables (especially broccoli and sweet potatoes), as a dip for falafel, or as a sauce for sandwiches and wraps.
Bitterness usually comes from older or lower-quality tahini. Always use a fresh, high-quality brand where the only ingredient is sesame seeds. If it's still slightly bitter, a little extra maple syrup or lemon juice can help balance the flavor.
Stored in an airtight container, it will last for up to one week in the refrigerator. The dressing will thicken when chilled; simply whisk in a teaspoon of water or lemon juice to reach your desired consistency before serving.
Yes, it is a great healthy option. It's rich in healthy fats, plant-based protein, and minerals. This recipe is also low in sodium and free of dairy and gluten.
If you love making your own healthy sauces from scratch, you'll enjoy these other simple and flavorful recipes. Explore more vibrant, from-scratch dressings that are easy to whip up and perfect for elevating any meal.
Now that you have a delicious dressing, find the perfect dish to go with it. From crispy air-fryer fries to hearty grain salads, these recipes provide the perfect canvas for your creamy maple tahini creation.
Recipe yields 6 servings
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 400°F. Place unpeeled garlic cloves on a small baking sheet and roast for 12 to 15 minutes, until fork tender. Remove from heat and place on separate plate to cool. Peel and discard outer skins. Place in the bowl of a food processor or blender.
Add remaining ingredients (tahini, water, lemon juice, maple syrup, olive oil, black pepper, salt, crushed red pepper flakes (if using)) to the food processor and pulse on high until well combined and smooth, about 1 minute.
Transfer to an airtight jar or container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. The dressing may thicken as it cools, so whisk in a little water or lemon juice to thin it out, if desired.
If you do not have a food processor, you can make this dressing by hand. Finely mince the roasted garlic, then add it to a medium bowl with all other ingredients. Whisk vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
Increase the crushed red pepper flakes to ½ teaspoon or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
Add 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard along with the other ingredients.
You can substitute an equal amount of date syrup or agave nectar for the maple syrup. Or if you do not need the recipe to be vegan, you can substitute with honey.
If you're short on time, you can use 1 small fresh garlic clove, grated or minced, instead of roasting. The flavor will be sharper.
If you're looking for more tasty, low-sodium ways to add flavor to your meals, check out these light and easy vinaigrettes. These versatile recipes are perfect for drizzling over salads, dipping your favorite snacks, or even as flavorful low-sodium marinades for lean proteins like chicken and salmon.