A super simple recipe for an anti-inflammatory turmeric tahini dressing that’s the perfect topping for your favorite salad, but also lovely as a sauce or dip!
My favorite homemade dressing of all time is my zesty tahini dressing, but this turmeric tahini dressing is slowly creeping up as a close second.
It all started when Cava released their 2018 winter menu with a spicy turmeric tahini dressing. It wasn’t long after that I found a packaged version of this very dressing at our local Whole Foods. I love all the Cava products and this dressing is no different. I have a bottle in my fridge as I type this and it’s likely sitting right next to my homemade version.
If you’ve been reading EBF for any amount of time you’ll know that one of my favorite things to do is to come up with recreation recipes, whether it’s making a healthy version of a childhood fav (like this lightened-up sweet potato casserole) or testing out copycat recipes of products that I buy regularly or restaurant meals I’ve enjoyed. Some of my best copycat recipes include these coconut chocolate chip Larabars, this Mayan harvest bake and these paleo chicken tenders. PS — The tenders are SO delicious and also Whole30 approved. Just wanted to mention that because I know a lot of you are doing the Whole30 this month!
This golden turmeric tahini dressing is somewhat of a copycat recipe because I was definitely inspired by Cava’s dressing and looked at their ingredient list for ideas of where to start. Their dressing calls for harissa for spice. While I love harissa, it’s not something I keep on hand all the time, so I opted to use cayenne pepper instead.
I also added nutritional yeast for extra depth and a hint of nutty, cheesy flavor. I love nutritional yeast in tahini dressings and highly recommend scooping some up if you plan to make this dressing. If you have trouble finding it you can make the dressing without it; just add an additional Tablespoon of tahini in its place.
A super simple recipe for an anti-inflammatory turmeric tahini dressing that’s the perfect topping for your favorite salad, but also lovely as a sauce or dip!
Ingredients
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 Tablespoons water
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast
1/2 Tablespoon maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
pinch – 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
Add all ingredients into a small bowl and whisk together until smooth. Or add all the ingredients into a mason jar and shake to combine until smooth. Or add the ingredients into a blender and process until smooth.
If the dressing seems too thick you can add a little more water, 1 Tablespoon at a time.
Notes
A little goes a long way with the cayenne, so add a little, taste the dressing and add more if needed. If you don’t like spicy foods you can simply leave it out.
Add extra flavor to the dressing with these add-ins: 1 clove minced garlic or 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
Nutrition
Serving Size:2 Tablespoons
Calories:71
Sugar:1g
Sodium:56mg
Fat:6g
Saturated Fat:1g
Trans Fat:0g
Carbohydrates:4g
Fiber:1g
Protein:2g
Cholesterol:0
If you try this turmeric tahini dressing, let me know how it turns out in the comment section or share a photo on social media. Just be sure to tag me (@eatingbirdfood + #eatingbirdfood) so that I see it!
I didn’t know what to do with some old leftover tahini, so used it in this dressing. (I omitted the maple syrup.) Oh my goodness, it’s such a good dressing that I kind of want to go buy more tahini now. Thanks for a great recipe!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Sarah!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this dressing. Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
It sounds delish! I love tahini and turmeric. I’m assuming you mean real maple syrup? Would substituting molasses work as well? It also has iron. I don’t have nutritional yeast, but Amazon does!! 😁
Hey Theresa – Yes, pure maple syrup would be best. I haven’t tried molasses, so I’m not sure. It might change the taste of the dressing, but you can certainly try it. Let me know if you do and how it turns out!
Seriously the best dressing! I love all things turmeric/curry and this is amazing on everything! So easy, I make a batch almost weekly and put it on my salads and veggies. (also thank you for all the salad inspo! It’s totally been upping my salad game! ) ???
Just made my fourth batch of this in the last month-and-a-half. Absolutely love it! Have used it on a variety of foods and have enjoyed each one. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
P.S. I appreciate that you have provided we nutrition breakdown.
I didn’t have nutritional yeast so left it out but it definitely could use a little something extra! Maybe I’ll add the garlic you mentioned and see if that does the trick.
AH-MA-ZING! I have made tahini/lemon dressing before, but the tumeric takes it up a notch. I’ll probably be putting it on everything from now on. Thanks so much, EBF! xo
this dressing was so tasty! I loved it so much I just started eating it as a dip with raw carrots. Thanks for sharing this recipe! It’s going to be a staple in my kitchen
I just printed the recipe and will be putting it together tonight for our salad! I made Erin of Wellplated’s golden milk last Thursday and then made it into oatmeal on Saturday. Clearly, I’m having a thing with turmeric. Thanks, Brittany!
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perfect
★★★★★
I didn’t know what to do with some old leftover tahini, so used it in this dressing. (I omitted the maple syrup.) Oh my goodness, it’s such a good dressing that I kind of want to go buy more tahini now. Thanks for a great recipe!
★★★★★
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Sarah!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this dressing. Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
It sounds delish! I love tahini and turmeric. I’m assuming you mean real maple syrup? Would substituting molasses work as well? It also has iron. I don’t have nutritional yeast, but Amazon does!! 😁
★★★★★
Hey Theresa – Yes, pure maple syrup would be best. I haven’t tried molasses, so I’m not sure. It might change the taste of the dressing, but you can certainly try it. Let me know if you do and how it turns out!
I am trying to avoid oil and would like to replace it with water. Do you think it would take much away from this dressing. Would love to try. Thanks
I think you’d be totally fine using water in place of the oil. The dressing has a good amount of fat coming from the tahini.
it will be a super item.Seriously the best dressing.i love it.
Seriously the best dressing! I love all things turmeric/curry and this is amazing on everything! So easy, I make a batch almost weekly and put it on my salads and veggies. (also thank you for all the salad inspo! It’s totally been upping my salad game! ) ???
★★★★★
Just made my fourth batch of this in the last month-and-a-half. Absolutely love it! Have used it on a variety of foods and have enjoyed each one. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
P.S. I appreciate that you have provided we nutrition breakdown.
I didn’t have nutritional yeast so left it out but it definitely could use a little something extra! Maybe I’ll add the garlic you mentioned and see if that does the trick.
xo Jules
AH-MA-ZING! I have made tahini/lemon dressing before, but the tumeric takes it up a notch. I’ll probably be putting it on everything from now on. Thanks so much, EBF! xo
this dressing was so tasty! I loved it so much I just started eating it as a dip with raw carrots. Thanks for sharing this recipe! It’s going to be a staple in my kitchen
I thought the spoon was a straw, and thought “geez, it’s gotta be really good dressing if ya’ll are just *drinking* it…”
That said, I’ve been looking for a dressing I can make a big batch of and keep on hand. This looks great!
http://www.slackergirlfitness.com
I am glad I stumbled upon this! It sounds so good, and looks good too! I have no creativity though, so what do you recommend putting this on?
Sounds amazing! How long will it last in the fridge?
Mine turned out a little to watery and lemony. I added some extra tahini and it was perfect! Thanks!
Oh no! Sorry it turned out a little watery. I’m glad the extra tahini helped.
This sounds (and looks!) amazing! I bet it would be great on many things not just salad too.
This dressing sounds fabulous! I love turmeric and tahini in just about anything!!
I just printed the recipe and will be putting it together tonight for our salad! I made Erin of Wellplated’s golden milk last Thursday and then made it into oatmeal on Saturday. Clearly, I’m having a thing with turmeric. Thanks, Brittany!
We must be on the same wavelength because I’ve been super into turmeric lately too. I hope you love this dressing. 🙂