Lemon Herb Tahini (Dip, Spread, Sauce, or Salad Dressing!)

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

Serious question: how’s your condiment game? If you feel like it might be lacking, don’t fret. It’s super easy to level up your flavor quotient by whipping up easy sauces like homemade hot honey, any-way-you-like-it pesto, or, if you’re battling a sweet tooth, this spring-inspired freezer jam. 

The newest addition to my refrigerated aisle of flavor boosters? A lemony herbed tahini sauce that is absolutely divine.

My herbed tahini lemon sauce combines the rich texture of puréed sesame seeds with the zesty flavor of lemon, creamy tanginess of Greek yogurt, and an irresistibly fresh combo of dill and mint. 

This tahini lemon sauce is flavorful and versatile, perfect for adding a certain je ne sais quois to a variety of dishes. If you're looking to zhuzh up a grain bowl, dip your sweet potato fries, or dress your salad, this lemon herb sauce is here for you.

Aside from being downright craveable, this recipe for lemon tahini dressing is also:

• Quick & Easy - Measure, purée, and serve. It’s seriously THAT simple!
• Made With Only 7 Ingredients - Two of them are salt and pepper, so you can rest assured your grocery run will be quick.
• Customizable - Feel free to make it a thick tahini dip or thin it out with a bit of water for the most delightful lemon herb tahini dressing your salad has ever seen. And that’s not all! Read on below for lots of ideas.
• Perfect for Meal-Prep - If you’re the meal-prepping sort, a.) I admire you greatly, and b.) this lemon tahini sauce is about to blow your mind. It’ll take even the most ho-hum, borderline boring meal into a culinary masterpiece. And it just takes 5 minutes. You’re welcome.

🍴Ingredients

As promised, you only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this lemon herb tahini sauce at the grocery store. Here’s what fresh ingredients to grab:

• Tahini - This toasted seed butter is a bit thinner than most nut butters but it can definitely hold its own in terms of flavor. Made from ground sesame seeds, it's a divine addition to flavor your favorite dishes. If needed, you could swap in cashew butter or sunflower butter instead.
• Plain Whole Greek Yogurt - I’m a firm believer in full-fat dairy — if it’s closer to how it comes out of the cow, it just tastes better, plus it doesn’t need any weird stabilizers. That said, you do you. You are welcome to swap in lower-fat or your favorite plant-based Greek yogurt instead. Homemade labneh is also a great sub!
• Fresh Mint - During the summer, I always have several containers of mint growing in the windowsill. It’s so simple to keep alive! Plus, it’s essential for mojitos and iced tea. 
• Fresh Dill - It’s grassy, citrusy, and so dang good. In a pinch, swap in ⅓ as much dried dill (as it’s about 3x as potent as fresh).
• Lemon - Fresh lemon juice is always best here. Feel free to use Meyer lemons for a sweeter, more floral taste.
• EVOO, Kosher Salt & Pepper - Because seasoning and drizzling oil is always in style. 😎

⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

As much as I think this creamy lemon herb tahini dip is the culinary equivalent of La Neige Lip Mask, there are plenty of ways for you to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Go garlicky. Add 1-2 cloves of grated fresh garlic cloves or garlic powder for an added kick. 
• Add a touch of sweetness. Stir in a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup for a slightly sweet twist. 
• Make it creamier by blending the sauce with half an avocado. 
• Make it thinner and more drizzle-able by swapping in regular plain yogurt instead of Greek yogurt. You can also use water (or whey) to thin it out after the fact if you want the batch to pull double-duty as both a dip and saucy salad dressing.
• Go Greek! Add a tablespoon of crumbled feta cheese and a pinch of dried oregano for a Mediterranean twist.
• Spice it up. Incorporate a pinch of cumin or smoked paprika to add a smoky, earthy flavor and top with fresh parsley, fresh basil or fresh cilantro. 

📖 Step by Step Instructions

 Step 1: Add the tahini, greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh dill and fresh mint in a food processor. You can also use a high speed blender. 

Step 2: Pulse and blend until the ingredients are well-combined.

Step 3: Serve & Enjoy! Pour the dip into a serving dish and season/garnish with salt and pepper, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with pita chips, sweet potato fries, grazing boards, in lavash wraps, veggies, sandwiches, falafel or anywhere you could use a boost of flavor. 

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

• If you can’t find Greek yogurt, you can use Skyr. You can also opt for plain yogurt and strain it yourself until you've reached the desired consistency. 
• Use fresh lemon for the best flavor in this great dip. Not only does bottled juice not taste as good, it also doesn’t come with any of the brightly-flavored, beautiful zest. To get the most out of your fruit, follow the proper order of operations:
  • Firmly roll it on the countertop for 10-15 seconds to help extract all the juice.
  • Wash & pat dry.
  • Zest, taking only the brightest yellow parts. (The white pith is bitter!)
  • Slice in half and juice.
  • Use the spent lemon halves to treat your cutting boards or make a pitcher of *free* spa water!

💭 Recipe FAQs

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