A tahini salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that features a creamy tahini dressing paired with chunky crisp vegetables. The salad typically embodies a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, offering a balance of creamy, crunchy, tangy and savory elements.
The creamy tahini dressing makes this a great keto vegan and gluten-free salad. It also pairs great with fish tacos!
This may not be the prettiest salad but it full of flavor. It's quick and easy to make and can make a great side dish to any summer gathering. However, if you are not a fan of tahini, then this salad is not for you as the tahini flavor is strong.
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What is tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It's a staple ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines and is widely used in various dishes such as hummus, baba ganoush, and tahini salad dressing. Tahini has a creamy texture and a rich, nutty flavor that adds depth to recipes. It can vary in color from light beige to dark brown depending on the type of sesame seeds used and whether the hulls are removed before grinding.
Tahini is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a dip, spread, or sauce base, and it's also valued for its nutritional content, being a good source of healthy fats, protein, and minerals like calcium and iron.
Carbs in tahini
Tahini primarily consists of ground sesame seeds, which are rich in healthy fats and protein. It contains minimal carbohydrates, with around 3 grams of net carbs per 2-tablespoon serving,
In addition to being low in carbs, tahini offers various nutritional benefits such as being a good source of plant-based protein, healthy fats (including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids), fiber, and essential minerals like calcium, iron and magnesium.
Ingredients
This is a basic tahini salad that needs fresh ingredients for a great flavor. You can add your own flavors to this such as garlic, crunchy green salads, cumin or feta cheese. Use this salad as a base and get creative with it.
- Tahini - look for tahini that contains only one ingredient: sesame seeds. Avoid brands that include additives or preservatives, as these can affect the taste and texture of the tahini.
- Lemon juice - helps balance the richness of the tahini and enhances the overall freshness of the salad.
- Tomato - any variety of tomatoes can be used but beefsteak tomatoes are perfect for adding substance and juiciness to your tahini salad. Slice or dice them into bite-sized pieces.
- Onion - we used yellow onions but red onions can be used too.
- Cucumber - an English cucumber or a Person cucumber are preferable.
- Parsley - fresh parsley is a versatile herb that complements the nutty flavor of tahini and adds a vibrant touch to the salad.
How to make tahini salad
There can be different variations of a tahini salad but this recipe is a simple one that is full of flavor.
Finely chop the vegetables and add to a bowl with the parsley.
Mix the tahini dressing until thick and smooth.
Add the tahini dressing to the chopped vegetables.
Toss and chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Tahini Salad Recipe Tips
When making the tahini dressing, whisk it until smooth and creamy. If the tahini is too thick, gradually add water or lemon juice until you reach the desired consistency.
Taste and adjust the seasoning of the dressing to ensure it has a good balance of flavors. Add more lemon juice for acidity and salt for seasoning.
Cut the vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even distribution of flavors and textures in each bite. This also enhances the visual appeal of the salad.
Consider layering the ingredients in the salad bowl rather than tossing them together immediately. This allows the flavors to meld together while maintaining the integrity of the individual components.
Storage
If you have leftover tahini salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Tahini salad is best consumed within 2-3 days of preparation.
What to serve with tahini salad?
Tahini salad can be served as a side dish or a main course, depending on your preference and the occasion. Here are some delicious options for serving tahini salad:
- Grilled Chicken: Serve tahini salad alongside grilled chicken breasts or thighs for a satisfying and protein-rich meal. The creamy tahini dressing pairs beautifully with the smoky flavors of grilled chicken.
- Keto Falafel: Create a Mediterranean-inspired feast by serving tahini salad alongside crispy keto falafel patties.
- Roasted Vegetables: Pair tahini salad with roasted vegetables such as cauliflower, eggplant, zucchini or bell peppers. The roasted veggies add depth and sweetness to the meal, while the tahini dressing ties everything together with its creamy richness.
- Grilled Fish: Serve tahini salad alongside grilled fish fillets such as salmon, trout or sea bass.
- Lamb Kebabs: Serve tahini salad alongside juicy lamb kebabs for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
More easy low carb salads
Enjoy a salad with these tasty low carb salad recipes:
Tahini Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 cucumber English or Persian
- 1 large Beefsteak tomato
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
Tahini Dressing
- ⅓ cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup water - as needed
Instructions
- Finely chop the cucumber and tomato into even pieces.
- Place the chopped tomato, onion, cucumber and parsley in a large bowl.
Make the tahini dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, salt and pepper until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, you can thin it out with a little water, adding it gradually until you reach your desired consistency.
Assemble the salad
- Pour the tahini dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, then serve chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
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