This Turmeric Tahini Dressing boasts a gorgeous golden color, creamy nutty flavor with a hint of spice, and loads of health benefits. It is the perfect anti-inflammatory salad dressing for drizzling over salads and grain bowls, punching up wraps or sandwiches, or even serving with salmon or chicken.
I am a huge fan of turmeric. It has a earthy essence, with just a touch of sweetness accompanied by notes of pepper and spice. I most often drink it in golden lattes and teas (hot or iced like this Iced Pineapple Matcha Latte), but I also love adding a little turmeric in all kinds of recipes. From punching up soups, to adding it to salad dressings, and even my morning smoothie I have added turmeric to just about everything.
With this Turmeric Tahini Dressing, the earthy, peppery turmeric pairs with nutty tahini and tart lemon for a flavorful, easy, and super healthy, anti-inflammatory salad dressing. In addition to using this dressing in salads, you can also drizzle it over grain bowls, add a pop of color and flavor to sandwiches or wraps, or even serve it with salmon or chicken.
How Do You Make This Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tahini Dressing?
This Golden Turmeric Tahini Dressing is so easy to make, you will want to whip it up all of the time to keep in your fridge. To make it you need:
- Tahini: Tahini has a creamy, nutty, almost buttery flavor that adds richness to this dressing without any dairy. Sesamol, a compound found in sesame seeds has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. If you have a sesame allergy, you can substitute cashew butter instead.
- Turmeric: I use lots of ground turmeric in this recipe. Turmeric is the primary anti-inflammatory ingredient in this Turmeric Tahini Dressing, thanks to a plant compound called curcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory properties (read more about the benefits of turmeric below!).
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a little brightness and tartness to this salad dressing, the perfect compliment to the nutty tahini and earthy turmeric.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil is high in antioxidants which can reduce inflammation and reduce oxidative damage.
- Honey: A little honey adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the spice from the turmeric and the rich tahini. Plus honey is rich in nutrients and antioxidants and has antibacterial properties.
- Black Pepper: Combining pepper with turmeric is important to help boost absorption of the curcumin. Black pepper contains a compound called piperine which has been show to increase bioavailability of the curcumin by up to 2000%.
- Cayenne Pepper: A little cayenne pepper adds a hint of spice that pairs with the earthy turmeric. Containing capsaicin, which activates the nerves in your stomach, cayenne pepper also improves digestion. If you are sensitive to spice, feel free to use less or leave this out.
- Garlic: A little grated garlic rounds out the flavors of this Turmeric Tahini Dressing. Garlic boasts a number of health benefits including reducing inflammation and supporting immune function.
- Sea Salt & Water: The finishing touches are just a couple of tablespoons of cold water to thin the dressing out and a little sea salt to help boost the flavors.
Health Benefits of Turmeric
Boasting a gorgeous golden color, turmeric is a key anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredient in this healthy Turmeric Tahini Dressing. Turmeric has been used in ayurvedic cooking and other forms of traditional medicine in China and India for hundreds of years. It is rich in phytonutrients and polyphenols that offer a range of health benefits. The main anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric is curcumin, a powerful antioxidant. Recent studies have linked curcumin to have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties.
Turmeric has been promoted to benefit a variety of conditions including arthritis, digestive disorders, infections, inflammation, depression, and allergies, among others.
How Do You Serve This Golden Turmeric Tahini Dressing?
This Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tahini Dressing is great as a salad dressing or drizzled over grain bowls. It would also be an awesome sauce served with your favorite protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon, or spooned over roasted veggies.
If you are looking for a salad to serve it with, try one of these:
- Wild Rice & Kale Salad
- Mango Kale Salad
- Healthy Beet and Kale Salad
- Roasted Sweet Potato, Quinoa, and Arugula Salad
- Roasted Sweet Potato, Kale, and Quinoa Power Bowl
If you make this Turmeric Tahini Dressing recipe don’t forget to comment and rate the recipe below to let me know what you think! You can also share your photos and tag me @NamasteHomeCooking on Facebook or @NamasteHomeCooking on Instagram. I love hearing from everyone!
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tahnini Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 clove garlic (grated)
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk to combine until smooth. If dressing seems thick, add a little more cold water to thin.