Tahini salad is a healthy and tasty Middle-eastern-inspired dish with fresh vegetables and herbs such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and parsley tossed in a creamy tahini sauce.
This recipe is quick and easy to make; you can customize it to your taste and have it as a side or main dish with warm pita bread, falafel, hummus, and more.
![Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (1) Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (1)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Tahini-salad-with-zataar-1.jpg)
Table of Contents
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Serving suggestions
- Storage
- More easy salads
- Tahini Salad Recipe
Check out our Best Salad Recipes
Tahini is a delicious ingredient made from ground sesame seeds. When combined with other ingredients, it can be used to make dressings, sauces, dips, and much more, as it adds a pleasantly rich and nutty flavor to anything it touches.
For example, we mix it with lemon juice, water, salt, and garlic to make a wonderful tahini sauce that we then use as a lemon tahini dressing for this salad.
Tahini sauce is an excellent alternative to oil-based or mayonnaise-based dressings as tahini is a wholesome ingredient with healthy fats, plant protein, calcium, and iron.
As for the veggies, we go for fresh and crunchy ones like lettuce, small tomatoes, cucumber, and green onions. You can also add fresh herbs such as parsley or mint to freshen things up.
This tahini salad recipe is excellent as a side dish, but you can easily turn it into a main by combining it with roasted chickpeas or falafel or by serving it in a wrap with hummus or some warm pita bread.
![Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (2) Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (2)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tahini-salad-new-6.jpg)
Ingredients
![Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (3) Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (3)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tahini-salad-ingredients.jpg)
Lettuce
You can use romaine lettuce or any other lettuce of your choice.
Substitute spinach or kale for lettuce.
Cucumber
Pick cucumbers that are firm to the touch. You can use any variety, including American, Persian, Kirby, and English cucumber.
Tomatoes
We like cherry tomatoes here. Any other type of tomato is OK if they are ripe.
Spring onions
Scallions, spring onions, or green onions are best in tahini salad because they have a milder flavor than regular onions and add a tangy freshness that cuts through the creamy tahini dressing.
Substitute thinly sliced shallots or red onions for spring onions.
Chickpeas
Optional. You can add cooked and canned chickpeas as they are or roast them in the oven or air fryer.
Fresh herbs
Fresh herbs like parsley, mint, purslane, chives, and dill are lovely with this salad. We often use flat-leaf parsley, but the other options are also delicious, so pick your favorite or mix a couple.
Tahini sauce
- Tahini: chose one that’s liquid, not pasty and coarse. It should also be light in color and made from 100% hulled sesame seeds.
- Lemon juice: freshly squeezed for best results. Lime juice also works.
- Water
- Salt: we recommend sea salt or kosher salt.
- Garlic: just a clove, peeled and crushed. We don’t recommend garlic powder.
If you like your tahini dressing a little sweeter, stir in a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey.
![Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (4) Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (4)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tahini-salad-new-3.jpg)
Instructions
Chop the vegetables and add them to a large bowl. We like cutting them as follows:
- Small tomatoes: quartered
- Cucumber: small dice
- Romaine lettuce: bite-size pieces
- Spring onions: thinly sliced
- Parsley: finely chopped.
![Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (5) Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (5)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tahini-salad-2.jpg)
To a small bowl, add tahini, lemon juice, water, salt, and a peeled and crushed garlic clove.
Stir for about 1 minute until smooth. Add more water if you want a thinner dressing.
![Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (6) Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (6)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tofu-salad-9.jpg)
Drizzle the tahini sauce on the salad and toss until the vegetables are coated.
![Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (7) Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (7)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tahini-salad-3.jpg)
Taste and adjust for salt and lemon juice.
![Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (8) Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (8)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tahini-salad-4.jpg)
Optionally, add drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, crispy oven-roasted chickpeas, or crispy air-fryer chickpeas (recommended).
Garnish with a pinch of dried oregano, sumac, or za’atar.
![Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (9) Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (9)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tahini-salad-new-2.jpg)
Serving suggestions
Tahini salad is delicious as a main or side dish with warm bread, such as:
- Homemade focaccia bread
- Garlic and olive oil naan bread
- Warm homemade pita bread.
- Italian flatbread
- Naan Bread
- Piadina (Italian Flatbread)
- How to cook couscous
- Focaccia
Serve as part of a mezze platter for a delicious appetizer or as a dinner with other Middle-Eastern-inspired recipes:
- Falafel: (chickpeas, parsley, coriander, garlic, etc.)
- Muhammara (bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, tomato paste, walnuts, breadcrumbs, etc.)
- Eggplant dip (roasted eggplant, tahini, garlic, cumin, lemon juice, etc.)
- Hummus (chickpeas, water, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, cumin, etc.)
- Tabbouleh (bulgur, tomato, parsley, mint, scallions, lemon juice, etc.)
- Roasted or grilled eggplant (eggplant, olive oil, parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, etc.)
- Muhammara
- Roasted Eggplant
- Baba Ganoush Recipe
- Hummus
Storage
Make ahead: you can mix the salad up to 12 hours ahead of time before the lettuce starts to wilt.
Refrigerator: keep leftovers in a bowl covered with a plate or plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 36 hours.
Freezer: this recipe is not suitable for freezing.
More easy salads
- Chickpea salad (cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber, parsley, chickpeas, maple syrup, etc.)
- Kale salad: (kale, red cabbage, butternut squash, pomegranate, apple, etc.)
- Cauliflower salad (roasted cauliflower, tahini, lemon juice, parsley, chickpeas, etc.)
- Sweet potato salad: (sweet potato, arugula, cranberries, avocado, pepitas, etc.)
- Vegan potato salad: (potatoes, vegan mayo, pickles, onion, etc.)
- Farro salad: (farro, chickpeas, tomato, cucumber, olives, olive oil, etc.)
- Butternut squash salad: (lettuce, butternut squash, avocado, nuts, etc.)
- Rice salad: (rice, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, lemon juice, etc.)
- Pasta chickpea salad (cucumber, fusilli pasta, cucumber, olives, chickpeas, mustard, etc.)
- Avocado salad (cherry tomatoes, parsley, avocado, red onion, olive oil, cucumber, etc.)
- Couscous salad (bell pepper, couscous, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, lemon juice, etc.)
- Fattoush (pita bread, radishes, cucumber, tomato, romaine lettuce, olive oil, etc.)
- Couscous Salad
- Chickpea Salad
- Chickpea Pasta Salad
- Fattoush
Tahini Salad
By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 1 vote
Tahini salad is a healthy and tasty Middle-eastern-inspired dish with fresh vegetables and herbs such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and parsley tossed in a creamy tahini sauce.
This recipe is quick and easy to make; you can customize it to your taste and have it as a side or main dish with warm pita bread, falafel, hummus, and more.
Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
Cook Time: 0 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Servings: 4 – 6 people
Course: Main, Side dish
Cuisine: Middle-Eastern
Pin Print
Ingredients
SALAD
- 1 small head Romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 medium cucumber diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes quartered
- ½ cup parsley finely chopped
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
TAHINI SAUCE
- ⅓ cup tahini
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt
CHICKPEAS (optional)
- 1 can (15-oz) chickpeas drained and rinsed
- or crispy oven-roasted chickpeas
- or crispy air-fryer chickpeas
Instructions
Chop the vegetables and add them to a large bowl.
To a small bowl, add⅓ cup tahini,⅓ cup water,2 tablespoons lemon juice,¼ teaspoon salt, and 1 clove garlic (peeled and crushed).
Whisk for 1 minute or until smooth. Add more water if you want a thinner dressing.
Drizzle the tahini sauce on the salad and toss until the vegetables are coated.
Taste and adjust for salt and lemon juice.
Optionally, add drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, crispy oven-roasted chickpeas, or crispy air-fryer chickpeas (recommended).
Garnish with a pinch of dried oregano, sumac, or za'atar.
Notes
Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 serving of tahini salad out of 4.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Romaine lettuce: arugula, iceberg lettuce, spinach, kale, or other lettuce varieties.
Cherry tomatoes: plum, date, vine, Roma, heirloom, or other ripe tomatoes.
Cucumber:radishes, bell peppers.
Parsley:mint, dill, chives, purslane, cilantro.
Green onions: shallots or red onion.
STORAGE
Make ahead: you can mix the salad up to 12 hours ahead of time before the lettuce starts to wilt.
Refrigerator: keep leftovers in a bowl covered with a plate or plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 36 hours.
Freezer: this recipe is not suitable for freezing.
Nutrition
Calories: 271kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Potassium: 941mg, Dietary Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 14754IU, Vitamin B6: 1mg, Vitamin C: 40mg, Vitamin E: 1mg, Vitamin K: 302µg, Calcium: 152mg, Folate: 294µg, Iron: 5mg, Manganese: 1mg, Magnesium: 90mg, Zinc: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below or mention @theplantbasedschool on Instagram. We are also on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.
If you liked this tahini salad, you might also enjoy the following:
- 20 Recipes with Tahini
- 40 Easy Meatless Meals
- What to eat with Hummus
- 35 Chickpea Recipes (easy meals)
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”3P7lwleL” upload-date=”2023-05-06T13:25:02.000Z” name=”Tahini Salad.mp4″ description=”Tahini salad is a healthy and tasty Middle-eastern-inspired dish with fresh vegetables and herbs such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and parsley tossed in a creamy tahini sauce.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]
Categorized as:
30-Min Meals, Recipes, Salads, Sides, Starters
![Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (32) Tahini Salad - The Plant Based School (32)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Nico-and-Louise-PBS.jpg)
Hi! We are Nico & Louise
Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.
Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.
Easy right?
More About US