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This Tahini Goddess Dressing is creamy, savory, tangy, and so incredibly delicious! It’s quick and easy to make with just a handful of pantry ingredients. And the only equipment you need is a whisk!

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Inspired by my very favorite store-bought dressing, Trader Joe’s Goddess Dressing, this homemade Tahini Goddess Dressing is cheaper, hits all the same flavor notes, and is completely oil-free!
I think it’s pretty perfect as is, but it’s easily adjusted to make it more garlic forward or less lemony – whatever your tastebuds prefer.
You can also make it thicker to use a dip or thinner to easily drizzle over a salad.
Ingredients you need
Ingredient notes and substitutions
Tahini ~ Tahini is a paste made from ground hulled sesame seeds. It’s similar in texture to nut butter and has a strong earthy taste that can be slightly bitter depending on the brand.
Tahini is one of the main ingredients in hummus. You’ll also love it in my Tahini Dark Chocolate Granola Bars, Eggless Banana Scones with Sweet Tahini Glaze, Healthy Broccoli Salad, and Creamy Mushroom Pasta.
If you are not a fan of tahini, you can substitute creamy almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter instead, but note that it will change the flavor of the dressing a bit and obviously won’t be nut-free.
Or skip the tahini altogether and try my Green Goddess Dip instead!
Tamari ~ Tamari is the Japanese version of Chinese soy sauce. I find it a bit less salty than soy sauce, but you can use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer.
Tamari is typically gluten-free, but be sure to check labels just in case if you are sensitive or allergic.
Vinegar ~ Apple cider vinegar is my go-to vinegar for this dressing. It’s sour, but also a bit sweet, and is a great balance to the earthy, bitter tahini.
Lemon ~ I love the bright tang that fresh lemon juice adds. 100% bottled juice can be used in a pinch. While I prefer lemon in this goddess dressing recipe, you can use lime juice if that’s more to your liking.
Prefer your dressing a little sweeter? Try my Citrus Tahini Dressing which features oranges instead of lemons and has a touch of sweetness from pure maple syrup.
Seasoning ~ Garlic powder and a pinch of salt round out the flavor profile of this dreamy dressing.
Parsley ~ Most bottled goddess dressings use dried parsley in their recipes. I don’t find dried parsley to have much flavor at all, so I use the real thing here. Fresh parsley is inexpensive and available all year round in most grocery stores.
If you don’t have it, I would suggest just leaving it out. Different herbs will change the flavor profile of the dressing.
Water ~ A little bit of water will be needed to thin out the consistency so that it can be drizzled over salad. If you’re using it as a dip instead, simply add less water.
Extras ~ A tablespoon of snipped chives and/or sliced green onions would be a tasty addition, as well.
If you find this tahini goddess dressing too bitter for your liking, you can add a teaspoon or two of pure maple syrup.
How to make the recipe
Please scroll down to the recipe card for exact ingredient measurements and instructions.
Place the tahini, tamari, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl and whisk well (1).
Whisk in water slowly until you reach the desired consistency (2).
Add the fresh chopped parsley (3) and whisk to distribute it evenly (4).
Serving suggestions
This is a versatile dressing that makes a tasty accompaniment to a variety of dishes.
Salad is an obvious choice for using this Goddess-style Tahini Dressing. Try it on my Chopped Kale Salad or Roasted Cauliflower Lentil Salad.
Drizzle it over grain bowls, like my Roasted Veggie Rice Bowls or Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowls.
It would be delicious paired with my Oven Roasted Rainbow Carrots, Baked Butternut Squash Fries, or Garlic Green Beans.
Use it as a sauce for Chickpea Veggie Burgers, Falafel Burgers, or my Red Lentil Quinoa Fritters.
Make a thicker version and use it as a dairy-free dip for crudités, like sliced cucumbers or radishes, carrot or celery sticks, or endive leaves.
Storage
Fridge: This Tahini Goddess Dressing will keep in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week. Mason jars work great for storing homemade salad dressings!
It will thicken while storing, so you may need to whisk in additional water before using.
Freezer: You can also freeze it. It should keep well for 2 to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and whisk well before using.
Pro tips and tricks
~ Stir the tahini really well before measuring. It will separate in the jar and the natural oils need to be mixed back in really well. I find it easiest to pour the whole jar into a mixing bowl, stir it until fully incorporated and smooth, and then transfer back to the jar.
~ If you use soy sauce instead of tamari, use a low-sodium version as it tends to be saltier. Or leave out the extra salt called for in the recipe if you only have regular soy sauce.
~ Add the water a few tablespoons at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Use more water for a pourable dressing, use less water for a thicker dip.
~ If you find the dressing too bitter, add a teaspoon or two of pure maple syrup.
~ Always taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.
~ The dressing will thicken upon storage in the fridge. Whisk in an extra tablespoon or two of water, if necessary, to thin it out before serving.
FAQs
I modeled this homemade Tahini Goddess Dressing after Trader Joe’s Goddess Dressing, which is a creamy tahini-based dressing that’s savory, tangy, and has bold umami flavor. Annie’s Goddess Dressing is very similar as well. The main ingredients are tahini, tamari (or soy sauce), vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and salt. Store-bought versions are loaded with oil, too, but my version is oil-free!
Nope, goddess dressing and green goddess dressing are two different things. Goddess dressing is tahini based and flavored with soy sauce, lemon juice, and garlic whereas green goddess dressing typically has a base of mayo and/or yogurt with a variety of fresh herbs.
Yes! This Tahini Goddess Dressing should keep well in an air-tight container in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and whisk it well before serving.
More vegan salad dressings
- Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
- Hemp Seed Dressing
- Southwest Vegan Ranch Dressing
- Creamy Sesame Salad Dressing
- Easy Hummus Dressing
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the star rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment with your feedback. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Tahini Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free)
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup tahini
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼-1/2 cup water to thin
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Add the tahini, lemon juice, tamari, vinegar, garlic powder and salt to a small bowl or jar. Whisk well until smooth.
- Slowly whisk in water a few tablespoons at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Add the fresh chopped parsley and whisk well to distribute evenly.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate in an air-tight container until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition facts calculated based on tablespoons per serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Laurel Gohn
So good!!! Tastes like Trader Joe’s goddess dressing. I’ve made it many times and it’s perfect!
Jenn Sebestyen
Yes! That’s my favorite store-bought dressing. So glad you love it!