Apricot Tahini Salad Dressing

Creamy Apricot Tahini Dressing - Salad dressings can make or break a salad. Finding the perfect balance of flavors is key to enhancing your fresh greens, and that's where this creamy apricot tahini dressing comes in. This easy-to-make recipe combines the nutty richness of tahini with the sweet flavor of apricots that is brightened by citrus lemon juice.

Creamy Apricot Tahini DressingPhoto byThyme of Season

Ingredients Needed

The following ingredients are needed for this apricot tahini dressing:

• ½ cup light olive oil
• ¼ cup tahini*
• Juice of one lemon - about a ¼ cup
• 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup of water
• 2-3 tablespoons apricot preserve
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

*For best dressing, use a smooth tahini rather than the thick, solid type often found at the bottom of the jar. The consistency of tahini may differ across brands; we used Trader Joe's, however it's important to stir it until it's even in texture, as the oil is prone to separation.

Step-by-Step Preparation

Making this dressing is incredibly simple. Follow these steps:

1. In a blender or food processor, combine the lemon juice, apricot preserve, Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons of water, salt, pepper and dried parsley. Blend until smooth. It may be thick.
2. Remove the mixture from the blender and place into a mixing bowl. Whisk in the light olive oil and tahini until well incorporated. *See Recipe Notes.
3. If the dressing is too thick, gradually whisk in water ½ tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
4. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Your creamy apricot tahini dressing is now ready to serve!

RECIPE NOTES: If you add the olive oil and the tahini into the food processor it will emulsify them and thicken them even more. The dressing will be super thick and if you add too much water to thin it, it will dilute the flavor. By hand mixing in the olive oil and tahini, it will avoid the emulsification process.

Usage and Storage Tips

This versatile dressing can be drizzled over a variety of salads, from leafy greens to grain bowls. It also works great as a dip for fresh vegetables or a sauce for grilled meats and vegetables. For storage, keep the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Shake well before each use, as natural separation may occur.

Creamy Apricot Tahini Dressing is available to Print and Save as PDF, if you would like to save this recipe for later.