Nutty and tangy with a crunch, tahini salad strikes the perfect balance of Middle Eastern simplicity and sophistication. With tahini’s earthy flavor and the mix of fresh vegetables, you have a classic Middle Eastern salad that’s the perfect side to many dishes.

---

 

---

Tahini truly shines in this salad and you can learn how to make tahini with my homemade tahini recipe. Also, try out Salad Shirazi (Persian Cucumber Tomato Salad) which bears similarities to the tahini salad but with a more citrusy dressing. Other great Middle Eastern salads to try are Fattoush Salad Recipe and Tabouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh).

---

Recipe Highlights: Middle Eastern Tahini Salad

Cultural Influence: Middle East Inspired

Primary Ingredient Spotlight: Tahini

Suitable for: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free

Dominant Flavor Profile: Creamy, Nutty Tahini Balanced with Freshness from Crisp Cucumbers and Tomatoes

Skill Level Required: Beginner-Friendly

---

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Irresistible Creaminess: The creaminess of the tahini dressing brings a balance of texture with the crunch of the veggies.

Nutty Flavor: Tahini brings a burst of rich, nutty flavor to this salad, elevating it from ordinary to extraordinary. Its distinctive taste adds depth and sophistication.

Versatile and Adaptable: Whether you’re serving it as a side dish, light lunch, or flavorful appetizer, this Middle Eastern Tahini Salad is incredibly versatile. It pairs beautifully with a wide range of main courses and makes a refreshing addition to any meal.

Quick and Easy Preparation: With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can whip up this delicious salad in no time. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a healthy and satisfying dish without the hassle.

Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with fresh vegetables and wholesome tahini, this salad is not only delicious but also nutritious. It’s loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a nourishing choice for your body and your taste buds.

---

Ingredients You’ll Need

Tahini: Tahini serves as the nutty base for the dressing, adding richness and depth of flavor to the salad. It provides a velvety texture and a distinct nuttiness that elevates the overall taste experience.

Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the dressing, balancing the richness of the tahini.

Garlic: Grated garlic infuses the dressing with a subtle yet aromatic flavor. It brings a hint of warmth that complements the tahini and fresh vegetables.

Water: Adding water to the dressing helps achieve the desired consistency. It helps thin out the tahini and lemon juice mixture, making it easier to coat the salad ingredients evenly.

Persian Cucumbers: These seedless cucumbers add a refreshing crunch to the salad, providing a light and crisp texture. Their mild flavor allows the other ingredients to shine.

Roma Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes lend a juicy and slightly tangy flavor to the salad. Also, their firm texture holds up well in salads.

Red Onion: Chopped red onion provides a sharp and zesty flavor to the salad, adding a pop of color and a hint of spiciness.

Parsley: Fresh parsley adds brightness and herbaceous notes to the salad, enhancing its freshness and aroma.

---

---

Tahini: History, Flavor, and Uses

History

Tahini, derived from the Arabic word “tahana” meaning “to grind,” has been a staple ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines for centuries.

It traces its roots back to ancient civilizations such as the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians, who prized sesame seeds for their nutritional value and versatility.

Tahini gained popularity as a key ingredient in dishes like hummus, baba ghanoush, and falafel. Moreover, it has since become a staple worldwide for its rich flavor and creamy texture.

Flavor Profile

Tahini boasts a unique flavor profile characterized by its rich, nutty taste and smooth, creamy texture.

Made from roasted and ground sesame seeds, tahini offers a delightful balance of sweetness and bitterness, with subtle hints of earthiness. Its versatility allows it to adapt to various flavor profiles, making it a unique ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes.

Uses

Tahini is a universal ingredient that can be used in a wide range of culinary applications. It serves as the base for classic Middle Eastern dips such as hummus and baba ghanoush, adding depth and creaminess to these beloved dishes.

Tahini also makes a delicious dressing for salads, a flavorful sauce for roasted vegetables, and a creamy spread for sandwiches and wraps.

Tips To Use Tahini

Stir well before using: Tahini tends to separate over time, with the oil rising to the top. Before using tahini in recipes, make sure to give it a good stir to incorporate the oil back into the paste for a smooth and creamy consistency.

Adjust consistency with water: If your tahini is too thick, you can easily adjust the consistency by adding a bit of water and stirring until you reach your desired thickness. This trick allows you to customize the texture of your tahini to suit your preferences.

If it’s runny, you can add a squeeze or two of lemon juice and mix well to thicken it up.

Store properly: To extend the shelf life of tahini and prevent it from spoiling, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Proper storage helps preserve its freshness and flavor for longer periods.

Enhance flavor with seasoning: Experiment with adding additional seasonings and flavorings to tahini to customize its taste. Try mixing in ingredients like lemon juice, garlic, herbs, spices, or honey to create unique and flavorful variations.

---

How to Make Tahini Salad

Step 1: Make The Dressing

Add tahini, lemon juice, salt, pepper, water and garlic together in a bowl.

Step 2: Mix

Mix the dressing ingredients until they are well-incorporated.

Step 3: Add veggies and herbs

Add the chopped Roma tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, and red onion followed by the parsley.

Step 5: Mix well

Mix the veggies into the dressing so all ingredients are coated evenly. Serve fresh.

---

Serving Suggestions

This salad works so well with your classic Middle Eastern or Mediterranean favorites. You can serve it alongside many traditional protein-centered dishes. Try it with Grilled Kofta Kebab Recipe, Mediterranean chicken skewers, Harissa Grilled Chicken Thighs, or Our Best Fried Fish Recipe.

You can also serve it with other vegetarian dishes like Best Cauliflower Fritters Recipe, Kuku Sabzi (Persian Herb Frittata), or The Best Middle Eastern Eggplant Recipe.

---

---

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks

Thin out the dressing: If your tahini dressing is too thick, gradually add a small amount of water or lemon juice while whisking until you reach your desired consistency. This will make it easier to coat the salad ingredients evenly and create a lighter texture.

Customize the flavor: Experiment with additional seasonings and ingredients to tailor the flavor of your tahini dressing to your taste preferences. Try adding a pinch of cumin, smoked paprika, or sumac for a hint of warmth and complexity. You can also incorporate fresh herbs like cilantro or dill for added freshness and aroma.

Prep ahead: Save time on busy days by prepping the ingredients for your tahini salad in advance. Chop the vegetables, mix the dressing, and store everything separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble and serve. This makes it easy to enjoy a fresh and nutritious salad whenever you need a quick meal or snack.

Add protein: Boost the protein content of your tahini salad by incorporating grilled chicken or chickpeas. These additions not only make the salad more satisfying and filling but also provide an extra nutritional punch.

Top with crunchy toppings: For added texture and flavor, sprinkle your salad with crunchy toppings like toasted nuts, seeds, or croutons. These toppings add a delightful crunch and elevate the overall eating experience.

---

Variations and Substitutes

Vegetable Variations: Experiment with different vegetables to add variety and color to your salad. Instead of Persian cucumbers and Roma tomatoes, try using cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or thinly sliced radishes.

Grain Additions: Incorporate cooked grains like quinoa, bulgur, farro or couscous to add heartiness and nutritional value to your salad. Simply toss the cooked grains with the vegetables and tahini dressing for a satisfying and wholesome meal.

Protein Boosters: Make your tahini salad more filling by adding protein-rich ingredients. Top the salad with grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or chickpeas for an extra protein boost. You can also add canned tuna or salmon for a flavorful and convenient option.

Herb Infusions: Enhance the flavor of your tahini dressing by infusing it with fresh herbs. Try adding chopped mint, cilantro, or dill to the dressing for a burst of freshness and aroma. Experiment with different herb combinations to find your favorite flavor profile.

Nutty Crunch: Add a crunchy texture to your salad by sprinkling it with toasted nuts or seeds. Try topping the salad with toasted sesame seeds, slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds, or pine nuts for a delicious nutty flavor and satisfying crunch.

Citrus Zest: Brighten up the flavor of your tahini salad by adding citrus zest to the dressing. Try grating some lemon, lime, or orange zest into the tahini dressing for a citrusy twist that adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile.

Spice it Up: Kick up the heat by adding a pinch of chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika to the tahini dressing. These spices add a subtle warmth and complexity to the flavor, making your salad more dynamic and exciting.

---

---

Storage

Refrigerate promptly: After preparing your Tahini Salad, promptly transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator to keep the salad chilled and slow down the growth of bacteria.

Consume within a few days: Tahini Salad is best enjoyed fresh. Aim to consume any leftovers within 2-3 days to maintain optimal flavor and texture. After this time, the salad may start to lose its freshness and crispness.

Separate dressing: If you’ve dressed the entire salad with the tahini dressing, consider storing any leftover dressing separately from the salad. This can help prevent the vegetables from becoming soggy due to the moisture in the dressing.

Cover tightly: When storing the salad in the refrigerator, ensure that the container is tightly sealed to prevent any odors from permeating the salad and to maintain its freshness.

Refresh before serving: If the salad has been refrigerated for some time and the vegetables appear wilted, you can refresh them before serving. Simply sprinkle a little water over the salad or toss it with a bit of fresh lemon juice to revive the flavors and textures.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

---

Other Delicious Recipes with Tahini

Side dishes

Grilled Zucchini With Tahini Yogurt Sauce

Mediterranean recipes

Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Tahini Sauce

Mediterranean recipes

Mediterranean Breakfast Hash with Tahini Sauce

Mediterranean recipes

Middle Eastern Tahini Sauce Recipe

---

Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

---