Cilantro-Lime Tahini Dressing

Creamy cilantro-lime tahini dressing could not be easier to make – just combine the ingredients in a blender and purée!

The one thing I never buy at the supermarket is bottled dressing. Most dressings on store shelves are made with poor quality oils, plus unnecessary sweeteners, emulsifiers, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. Not to mention, most store-bought dressings taste… well, not very good.

If you’re housing any store-bought dressing in your fridge now, walk on over there, pick up the bottle, and read the ingredients. If you don’t recognize the words, take the bottle and throw it in the trash – you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life. (#selfcare)

Mixing up a batch of homemade dressing has been an essential part of my meal prep routine for years. Whether I’m making salads, grain bowls or noodle salads throughout the week, having a dressing prepped in advance really streamlines the dinner-making process.

This cilantro tahini dressing has been one of my go-to’s for almost a decade. Cilantro (or “coriander”, for my friends across the pond) lends a fresh, herbaceous quality to the sauce, while lime juice adds tang, and balances the richness and nuttiness of the tahini. Plus, the pale green color makes any meal the sauce lands on look gourmet!

How to Make Cilantro Tahini Dressing

Find complete instructions with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.

This 4-ingredient, oil-free sauce could not be easier to make! Simply combine cilantro, tahini, lime juice, garlic, salt, and water in a standard blender, Vitamix, or Nutribullet, and blend until smooth.

Servings Suggestions

Use this cilantro-lime tahini to dress your favorite salad greens, or to drizzle on mujadara, grain bowls, or roasted vegetables. It also complements lentil patties and falafel perfectly, and works as a dip for crudités.

Tips for Buying Tahini

• Tahini is a sesame seed paste widely used in Middle Eastern cooking. You can find it in most supermarkets today, either near the nut butters or in the international foods aisle.
• Be sure to read the ingredient label – the only ingredient should be sesame seeds.
• Tahini can vary widely in taste and texture depending on the brand. You may have to try a few brands before finding one you love. Look for tahini that’s smooth, runny, shiny, and pale beige; avoid tahini that appears gritty. In my experience, Middle Eastern brands (like Al Wadi) are best. Whole Foods 365 is also a reliable option.

Using Up Leftover Tahini

An opened jar of tahini will last in the fridge for up to 6 months. Aside from this cilantro sauce, you can slather it on toast (like peanut butter!), add it to smoothies, or try it in desserts, like these amazing vegan tahini brownies. Additionally, try my tahini kale salad, spiced roasted carrots with tahini, cold tahini noodles, and dairy-free tzatziki sauce.

More Middle Eastern Recipes to Try

• Brown Rice Mujadara
• Moroccan Lentil Soup
• Muhammara (Red Pepper Walnut Dip)
• Baked Falafel Patties

Let me know if you try this recipe! Give it a rating below and leave a comment, and don’t forget to tag your creation with @thenewbaguette on Instagram.

The Full Recipe