This vegan tahini dressing is the sauce you’ve been waiting for to drizzle over your vegan bowl to make it even more delicious. You can also use it on falafel, salads, or anything else you want a delightfully sweet and tart creamy vegan dressing for; this Buddha bowl dressing will make any plate more delicious.
Buddha bowls are a filling and satisfying vegan meal loaded with protein, healthy grains, fresh and roasted vegetables, and flavorful spices topped with the perfect Buddha bowl dressing.
This Buddha bowl sauce is going to take your favorite vegan meal to the next level. While many fresh vegetables and spices have a standout flavor all on their own, sometimes you encounter the perfect dressing that coaxes out even more flavor and enjoyment from a meal.
This Buddha bowl dressing hits that creamy goodness that marks an ideal salad dressing. And when you build that flavor with rich healthy fats, hints of sweetness, and slight tartness it’s going to work well with such a variety of dishes. Plus, it’s easy to make, and who doesn’t love that?
What’s In A Tasty Vegan Tahini Buddha Bowl Sauce?
The secret to this tangy Buddha bowl dressing is the layers of flavor created by lemon, maple, and sesame. When you merge the slightly nutty creaminess of tahini with sour lemon and sweet maple, the magic starts to happen.
To start, you can make your own homemade vegan tahini paste or buy your favorite already made. Add in lemon juice and maple syrup, sesame oil, and some salt and you’ve got the best Buddha bowl dressing around.
Just mix it up in a blender or use your favorite stick blender to mix it up right in your jar. It emulsifies beautifully and the various tastes combine to be the ideal topping for your favorite vegan bowl, along with another awesome sauce, vegan cashew mayo.
Why This Recipe Works
- This recipe uses easy to find ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
- This tahini dressing is an easy way to bring up some extra flavor to your food.
- Tahini dressing goes with a wide variety of dishes.
What Goes With Buddha Bowl Dressing?
This maple tahini lemon sauce is great with more than just your ultimate Buddha bowl, too. Once you taste its refreshingly tangy flavor, you’ll be looking for more ways to use it.
Fresh Veggies
Consider using it to dip your favorite bell peppers, carrot sticks, celery stalks, or broccoli into. The creamy lemon sauce will pair lovely with any summer vegetables you’d like.
Roasted or Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Savory grilled eggplant, acorn squash or zucchini, baked cauliflower, cabbage steaks, or veggie kabobs…this Buddha bowl sauce will work amazing with any of them.
Grain Salads
Quinoa salads, millet and broccoli, or brown rice and black beans will be enhanced by the bold and creamy flavors of this Buddha bowl dressing.
Appetizers
When you make up some vegan appetizers the next time you have friends over or you want a light, snack-like dinner, be sure to whip up this homemade vegan tahini dressing to go on the side. Imagine serving it with fresh vegan spring rolls or pita chips and veggies. Mmm.
Cook’s Tips
- This tahini dressing can be stored in an airtight jar in the fridge for about 7 days.
- Depending on how thick your tahini paste is, you will need different amount of water to adjust the consistency. Start with 1 tablespoon and keep adding water until you like the consistency.
- Use it for my Ultimate Vegan Buddha Bowl for maximum taste.
Recipe Variations
- You can use any other sweetener of your choice instead of maple syrup: agave juice, honey or molasses.
- You can use lime juice in place of lemon juice for this tahini dressing. It’ll taste just as good.
- Olive oil can be substituted for sesame oil.
What is your favorite way to use tahini dressing? Leave a comment below! Don’t forget to give a star rating to the recipe if you like it!
Make sure to check 82 best tahini recipes for other delicious ways to use tahini.
Here is the recipe video and recipe instructions for this yummy vegan buddha bowl dressing. If you can’t see the video, disable your AdBlock by clicking on the AdBlock button and selecting Don’t run on this page.
Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup tahini paste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon water + more if needed (up to 1/3 cup)
Instructions
- Add tahini paste, lemon juice, maple syrup, sesame oil and salt in a cup of a food processor or blender and blend until smooth, gradually adding water. Use the sauce for Buddha bowls, salads, falafel and more. Enjoy!
Notes
- This tahini dressing can be stored in an airtight jar in the fridge for about 7 days.
- Depending on how thick your tahini paste is, you will need different amount of water to adjust the consistency. Start with 1 tablespoon and keep adding water until you like the consistency.
- Use it for my Ultimate Vegan Buddha Bowl for maximum taste or dip vegan German potato pancakes or zucchini corn fritters in it.
- Make sure to try my vegan mayo and avocado dressing to mix things up!
- See how to use the dressing in my buddha bowl dressing story.
- You can use any other sweetener of your choice instead of maple syrup: agave juice, honey or molasses.
- You can use lime juice in place of lemon juice for this tahini dressing. It'll taste just as good.
- Olive oil can be substituted for sesame oil.
Anna
Wednesday 11th of May 2022
I really like it but it was just a hint too sweet for me to be perfect. Easily rectifiable next time by adding less sweetener though. 5/7, almost a perfect score!
Elena Szeliga
Wednesday 11th of May 2022
@Anna, Thank you for your feedback! You can also add a little more lemon/lime juice to balance the sweetness
Alisa
Sunday 23rd of January 2022
Delicious!! and so simple to make. I used date syrup and only 1 TBS. yummmmm. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Elena Szeliga
Monday 24th of January 2022
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed the dressing :)
Emily Gauld
Wednesday 12th of January 2022
Delicious! Exactly what I was hoping for. Though it would be helpful to have the recipe written as 1tbsp water (+more if needed) rather than have it in the notes following the recipe. When making it repeat times, I find I convince myself I don’t “need to read the notes because I’ve made it before” but end up with a runny (but still tasty) sauce. User error really.
Sarah
Monday 29th of November 2021
Made this tonight for our Buddha bowls. Sooo yummy!! It will definitely be part of our permanent recipe collection. : )
Elena Szeliga
Monday 29th of November 2021
Thank you for leaving a comment, Sarah! I'm happy you enjoyed the sauce!
Carla
Monday 18th of October 2021
Most of the buddha bowl dressings I've tried are either too acidic or too sweet. This recipe was absolutely perfect and will be the one I come back to again and again.
Elena Szeliga
Monday 18th of October 2021
I'm so happy you like the sauce, Carla!