Made in less than 5 minutes, this Tahini Ranch Dressing is a creamy, flavorful addition not only to salads but can be served as a dip for fresh veggies or a sauce for grain bowls.
This vegan tahini ranch dressing is made with a base of creamy, nutty tahini with traditional ranch herbs like parsley, chives, and dill.
The result is a nutty, flavorful dressing that goes perfectly with a simple salad or even as a dipping sauce for buffalo tofu nuggets.
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What is Tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds, commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines.
It has a rich, nutty flavor with a slightly bitter undertone.
There is a difference between good and bad tahini. Good quality tahini is nutty, creamy and savory. Bad tahini has a chalky mouthfeel and is very bitter.
Ingredients
Made from simple pantry staples, this zesty vegan dressing offers a creamy texture and vibrant flavor and is perfect for meal prepping.
It's a versatile dressing ideal for salads, wraps, and as a dip for vegetables!
Tahini: Tahini has a rich, nutty flavor with a slightly bitter undertone. Tahini can sometimes taste extremely bitter due to a few reasons— the type of sesame seeds used, their roasting level, or the presence of the seed's outer hull during processing. I recommend choosing a high-quality tahini for the best flavor.
Lemon Juice & Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tang and a zesty flavor. The combination of both is preferred.
Garlic: I recommend fresh minced garlic for an added punch of flavor but garlic powder will work as well.
Dijon Mustard: Adds a tang and a slight spicy flavor.
Nutritional Yeast: This adds a savory, umami flavor to sauces.
Fresh Herbs: Chives, dill, and parsley are added for that traditional ranch flavor. You can use dried in a pinch.
Seasonings: Onion powder, Kosher salt, and black pepper add additional seasoning and balance out the flavors.
Plant-Based Milk: This is added to thin out the sauce— use unsweetened. Can be substituted with water.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make This Recipe
The nutty flavor and creamy texture of tahini is a match made in heaven with classic ranch seasonings like dill, lemon, and garlic.
It's easy to make with a bowl and a whisk in about 5 minutes or less!
The full written recipe can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients— except the plant-based milk.
Step 2: Start to slowly add in the plant-based milk while whisking the dressing until your desired consistency is reached.
Step 3: Whisk until smooth then taste and adjust the following: lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Note: If the tahini is too bitter for your preference, balance it out with 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup.
Substitutions & Variations
This recipe is made up of simple ingredients and can be customized a few different ways.
Make it spicy by adding 1-2 tablespoons of hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
Make it creamier by mixing in ¼ cup of vegan unsweetened yogurt.
If you don't have fresh dill or chives, dried herbs will work too! Just substitute in 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs.
Serving Ideas
This vegan ranch dressing is the perfect sauce for a wide variety of different dishes!
Here are a few of my favorites:
Salad dressing: This tahini ranch pairs well with simple salads. I love to add vegan chicken or buffalo tofu.
As a dip: Use as a dip for tofu nuggets, buffalo tempeh, or fresh veggies.
Sauce: As a sauce for grain bowls, cauliflower tacos, wraps, sandwiches, or drizzled over smashed potatoes.
Tips & Tricks
Tahini based sauces thicken in the fridge. Add a small splash of water and whisk until desired consistency has been reached.
Make sure to stir your tahini upon opening the jar and before measuring it for recipes, the oil tends to separate and needs to be thoroughly mixed into the sesame paste to achieve the ideal consistency.
If the tahini is too bitter for your preference, balance it out with 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup. High-quality tahini has a milder, more palatable flavor.
Taste and customize to adjust the flavors to fit your preferences.
Thin it out with water or plant-based milk if your sauce is too thick.
Not all salts are made equal and cannot be substituted 1:1. If you are substituting table salt for kosher salt, you will need to cut the amount called for in the recipe by at least half.
Storage
The dressing can be stored in an airtight jar to preserve freshness and used for up to 1 week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vegan ranch can be made from a base of cashews, vegan mayo, or tahini!
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds and it has a rich, nutty flavor with a slightly bitter undertone.
Tahini has a slight bitterness, because of factors like sesame seed variety, roasting intensity, or hull inclusion during processing. Opt for a high-quality tahini for a milder and more enjoyable flavor. While it's expected to have earthy and bitter notes, it should be balanced and not overpowering in taste.
More Salad Recipes
Looking for other salad dressing recipes like this? Try these:
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Recipe
Tahini Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup Tahini
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Garlic Clove minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- ½ tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
- 2 tablespoons Chives
- 1-2 tablespoon Fresh Dill
- 1 tablespoon Parsley
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt see note
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Up to ½ cup Unsweetened Plant-Based Milk or water
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients— except the plant-based milk.
- Start to slowly add in the plant-based milk while whisking the dressing until your desired consistency is reached.
- Taste and adjust the following: lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
- Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to one week. Enjoy!
Notes
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