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    Zen and Zaatar » Recipes » Sauce

    Easy Maple Tahini Dressing

    Published: Mar 12, 2025 by Zena | Zen and Zaatar · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe
    Maple tahini dressing being whisked and poured over a grain bowl, with text overlay, "3-ingredient maple tahini dressing - quick + flavorful!".
    Images of maple tahini dressing being poured over a grain bowl, with text overlay, "3-ingredient maple tahini sauce - easy + dairy-free!".
    Images of maple tahini dressing in a jar and being poured over a grail bowl, with text overlay, "easy, creamy maple tahini dressing - vegan + oil-free."

    With just 3 main ingredients, you can make a creamy maple tahini dressing that’s perfect to drizzle over salads, roasted veggies, grain bowls, and more! It’s ready in about 5 minutes and is made up of pantry staples.

    Drizzling the maple tahini dressing with a spoon to show the texture.

    Similar to my lemon tahini sauce, tahini and lemon juice make up the creamy base in this recipe. Maple syrup makes it tangy, yet sweet. It’s naturally vegan, oil-free, and gluten-free, while being super creamy and rich!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient notes
    • How to make maple tahini dressing
    • Top tips
    • FAQs
    • How to use this dressing
    • More sauces and dressings you’ll love
    • Recipe

    Ingredient notes

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients for this dressing.

    The ingredients you need for maple tahini dressing displayed on a marble countertop.
    • Tahini: It’s important to use a high-quality, runny tahini for the best texture and flavor. Tahini is made up of ground sesame seeds, with different brands slightly varying in taste and texture. My favorite brand to use is Tarazi.
    • Maple syrup: Make sure to use pure maple syrup.
    • Lemon juice: For the best flavor, use fresh squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled.

    Check the recipe card below for exact quantities.

    How to make maple tahini dressing

    Whisking the tahini, maple, and lemon juice together.
    The maple syrup, tahini, and lemon juice whisked together until smooth.

    Step 1: Whisk the tahini, maple syrup, and lemon juice together in a bowl.

    Thinning the maple tahini dressing with water and adding salt and pepper.

    Step 2: Slowly whisk in cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you get the perfect pourable consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

    Top tips

    • Taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. Add a bit more maple syrup, 1 teaspoon at a time, if you’d like more sweetness, or tahini if you want to decrease the sweetness.
    • For extra flavor, add a freshly grated clove of garlic. For a spicy kick, add a couple teaspoons of your favorite hot sauce.
    • If your tahini is bitter, just increase maple syrup 1 teaspoon at a time until the taste is balanced.

    FAQs

    What if my dressing thickens or separates in the fridge?

    It’s normal for the dressing to thicken in the fridge! Just whisk in a little water one tablespoon at a time until it becomes creamy again. Shake or stir it to recombine if it separates.

    Can I make this dressing ahead of time?

    Yes, this maple tahini salad dressing is great to prep ahead of time. Store it in the fridge, and if it thickens, simply thin it out by whisking in a little water. Simply stir or shake before serving.

    How long will it last in the fridge?

    Keep your dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Simply whisk in some extra water if it thickens.

    How to use this dressing

    I love the versatility of this vegan sauce recipe. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it.

    Pouring the maple tahini dressing over grain bowls.
    • Use it to top your favorite grain bowl– it’s especially delicious drizzled over my sweet potato and chickpea quinoa bowls.
    • Add a sweet touch to your favorite salad. This sweet tahini dressing pairs well with a hearty kale salad.
    • Drizzle over roasted veggies. My favorite ways to use it are over roasted brussels sprouts, carrots, eggplant, and broccoli!

    More sauces and dressings you’ll love

    • Image of the vegan roasted red pepper sauce being poured over pasta, cropped square.
      Creamy Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Sauce with Tahini (Oil-free)
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      Creamy Lemon Tahini Sauce (Vegan, Mediterranean Dressing)
    • This oil-free avocado pesto is a healthy, vegan alternative to traditional pesto. This avocado basil pesto is perfect on top of pasta, toast, and more.
      Oil-Free Avocado Pesto (Vegan)
    • This is the featured image of galayet bandora, the finished product of Palestinian sautéed tomatoes and olive oil.
      Galayet Bandora (Palestinian Pan Fried Tomatoes) Recipe
    Showing the texture of the maple tahini dressing from an overhead view.

    If you made this recipe, I'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review below. ☺️

    Pin it on Pinterest for later or share your recreations with me on Facebook or Instagram @zenandzaatar! 🥰 I can’t wait to see how you serve it!

    Recipe

    Drizzling the maple tahini dressing with a spoon to show the texture, with the image cropped square.

    Easy Maple Tahini Dressing

    Zena Hassoun
    This easy, sweet maple tahini dressing takes just 5 minutes to make using pantry staples! It's creamy, vegan, and oil-free. Drizzle it over salads, roasted veggies, grain bowls, and more.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Sauce
    Cuisine American, Mediterranean
    Servings 1 cup
    Calories 108 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup tahini
    • ¼ cup lemon juice
    • 2 ½ tablespoon maple syrup
    • 3 tablespoon water
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, and maple syrup until smooth.
      ½ cup tahini, ¼ cup lemon juice, 2 ½ tablespoon maple syrup
    • Gradually add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking until you reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
      3 tablespoon water, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • Serve immediately or store in the fridge. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
    • If your tahini is bitter, simply add more maple syrup to taste.
    • If the dressing thickens after storage, whisk in some water until smooth again.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2tablespoonCalories: 108kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 152mgPotassium: 92mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 11IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @zenandzaatar on social!

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    Headshot image of the author of Zen and Zaatar, Zena Hassoun, MS.

    Welcome!

    Hi, I’m Zena, a passionate home cook with a Master’s in Medical Health Sciences. I’ve been vegan for nearly a decade and love creating approachable, Mediterranean-inspired recipes that nourish your body and soul.

    More about me

    55+ Vegan Recipes for Real Life

    The cover image of my e-cookbook, with text overlay "Vegan is Delicious: 55+ nourishing, innovative, plant-based recipes to satisfy vegans and omnivores alike! by Zena Hassoun, M.S., creator of Zen and Zaatar."

    Tired of the same meals or relying on takeout? Vegan is Delicious is full of flavorful, plant-based recipes (with photos!) plus a 7-day meal plan to make home cooking feel effortless.

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