Deliciously the best Lebanese Tahini Salad, it's packed with fresh diced tomato, radish, cucumber, and parsley swimming in a creamy and tangy tahini dressing.
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🥗What is Tahini Salad?
Tahini salad originates from the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
It is made with fresh, seasonal ingredients which can include tomatoes, cucumber, radish, and herbs in a creamy tahini dressing.
It is naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Seasonal produce used in this salad can vary depending on the region.
Pairings can also dictate what fresh produce is used.
For example, if you are serving this salad with falafel, you may wish to have a variation of only tomatoes, radishes, parsley, and mint.
The variations are limited by imagination.
The salad dressing is referred to as tarator, which has many dressing/dip uses, the perfect example is this recipe for Lebanese cauliflower with tahini.
This is definitely an underrated salad that is a must-try, I've eaten and made so many variations since forever and will never tire of it.
😋Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- It's packed with fresh and seasonal ingredients
- The creamy tahini salad dressing is tangy and flavorful
- Ready in just a few minutes.
- Diet-friendly - vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, corn-free, soy-free and no added oil
🥗Ingredients You’ll Need
Notes on some of the ingredients, the full list of ingredients and their measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Tomato, radish, and Lebanese (Persian) cucumber will need to be diced, it’s best to dice them as uniformly as possible.
Flat-leaf parsley leaves and soft stems are sliced to add a nice fresh herb flavor.
Tahini should be good quality and not hardened. I like to use a good quality Lebanese tahini (affiliate link). This is the main ingredient of the dressing, hence the name.
Salt to boost the flavors. I like to use Celtic salt or pink Himalayan salt (affiliate link) for the health benefits (minerals like magnesium and potassium)
Lemon will add sourness, use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavoring.
Water will help to achieve the right consistency of the dressing.
Garlic clove can be added to suit your liking. Or leave it out if you prefer.
Sumac (derived from the sumac berry) has a tangy, lemony flavor with a slightly salty and sour taste. It is a commonly used spice in Lebanese cooking (it features quite a bit throughout my recipes).
I highly recommended it. It can be found at your local Mediterranean grocer, and most major supermarkets or you can purchase sumac here (affiliate link).
Cayenne pepper is optional. I love it as it adds some heat. You can swap this out for paprika or another type of chili powder/flakes.
🥗How to Make Tahini Salad
Step One - In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, salt, lemon, water, garlic, sumac, and cayenne pepper (optional) until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Step Two - In a large bowl, combine the diced tomato, radish, cucumber, and parsley. Toss gently to combine.
Step Three - Add the dressing to the bowl and toss to coat the vegetables evenly. The salad should be swimming in dressing. Serve cold.
Tip: Make this salad ahead of time by whisking the dressing and storing it in a jar in the fridge (it can be stored for several days)
Prepare and store the vegetables and herbs in an airtight container in the fridge (up to 3 days). Toss the salad together when you are ready to serve.
🍴Serving Suggestions
Lebanese Tahini Salad can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it;
Serve with gluten-free pita chips or zaatar pita chips
Pair with Lebanese falafel or vegan shawarma
Top with roasted chickpeas or your favorite seeds/nuts.
Enjoy it with vegetarian kibbeh
❓FAQ
Yes, you can use tahini straight from the jar to make salad dressing. However, it is important to stir the tahini thoroughly before using it to ensure it is well-mixed, has no separation, and has a smooth consistency.
Yes, tahini is a great addition to salads, as it provides a creamy texture and nutty flavor. In fact, since ancient times, tahini has been commonly consumed in salads across the Middle East. For example, it is a key ingredient in Lebanese Tahini Salad. Just be sure to mix it well with the other ingredients to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.
🥗Related Recipes
If you like this recipe, you will also like balela, made with chickpeas and fresh chopped vegetables, or this Lebanese potato salad with spring onion without any cream.
Otherwise, you may have never heard of this (but must try) fresh oregano salad.
Or for something a bit more famous, try either Taboule or fattoush.
If you're into tahini, try my versatile miso tahini dressing.
Did you make this? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with a ★★★★★ rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.
Best Lebanese Tahini Salad
Ingredients
- 1 medium Cucumber diced
- 1 medium Tomato diced
- 5 medium Radishes diced (see notes)
- ¼ cup Flat leaf parsley chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, salt, lemon, water, garlic, sumac and optional cayenne pepper until smooth and creamy. Set aside.½ cup Tahini, ½ cup Water, 1 teaspoon Sumac, 1 small - medium Lemon, 1 small Garlic clove, ¾ teaspoon Salt, 1 pinch Cayenne pepper
- In a large bowl, combine the diced tomato, radish, cucumber, and parsley. Toss gently to combine.1 medium Cucumber, 1 medium Tomato, 5 medium Radishes, ¼ cup Flat leaf parsley
- Add the tahini dressing to the bowl and toss to coat the vegetables evenly. Serve cold.
Video
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
Joanna
Well this tahini salad was unexpectedly incredible. I will be eating this with everything I can