Name: CAVA Lemon Herb Tahini Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 clove garlic; 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro; 1 tablespoon chopped parsley; 2 tablespoons tahini; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds; Pinch of salt; Cold water (to desired consistency); Tools and Equipment; Blender; Spatula

Jump to Recipe

CAVA Restaurant, a Mediterranean fast casual restaurant chain is always my favorite place to eat when I go out to eat. This Monday, I ordered their Braised Lamb and Pita Chips along with the Cucumber Mint Lime as my drink. Meanwhile, I was looking to try new dressing for my morning salads. One of CAVA’s employees suggested trying their lemon herb tahini dressing. I was very excited to try it because I’m already in love with their garlic sauce and the recipe already shared here.

So, I grabbed this dressing as well and tried it with my green salad. You can’t believe how much flavor it added to my salad. So, I figured out how to make it at home. After a few tries, Finally I got it right. It is so easy to just take 2-5 minutes if you have all the ingredients at home.

How To Make Lemon Herb Tahini Like CAVA

So, finally it’s time to share the recipe with my favorite readers. YES, you guys are awesome and I know you’re going to love this Lemon Herb Tahini sauce as much as I do. To make this all you need is: cilantro, tahini, lemon juice and sesame seeds.

Ingredients

1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 tablespoons tahini
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
Pinch of salt
Cold water (to desired consistency)

Tools and Equipment

Blender
Spatula

CAVA Lemon Herb Tahini Making Directions:

Step 01: Chop Ingredients

Take cilantro, parsley and chop them for the next process which is blending.

Step 02: Blend Ingredients

For this you can use any blender that you have. Start by adding 1 clove of garlic and blend it. Then add cilantro, parsley and again blend for a few seconds. Then add tahini, lemon juice and a pinch of salt for taste and blend again for another few seconds.

Use spatula to mix the ingredients well in the blender.

Step 03: Add Cold Water & Serve

While blending, add cold water to the mixture and make sure it is at the consistency that you want. Don’t make it too thin or too thick. Just make sure it’s smooth and goes perfectly with your salad.

After it’s done, you can serve the dressing/sauce in a bowl to have to salad or preserve it in a bottle or jar for later use.

Tips and Tricks

Use a white tahini for a milder flavor, or a black tahini for a stronger, nuttier flavor.

Common Mistakes:

Adding too much water at once. Add water slowly, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the consistency you like. This will help you avoid making the dressing too thin.

Not chopping the herbs finely enough. This can make the dressing chunky. Take a few extra seconds to chop the cilantro and parsley as finely as possible.

Flavor Variations:

For a spicy dressing, add a pinch of red pepper flakes while blending.

For a smoky flavor, roast the garlic clove in the oven for 10 minutes before adding it to the blender.

Want a thicker dip? Use less water or add a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.

For a thinner dressing, perfect for salads, add a bit more water or vegetable broth.

Serving Suggestions

Pairings:

This Lemon Herb Tahini is a perfect dip for fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, or pita bread.
Drizzle it over a grain bowl packed with quinoa, roasted vegetables, and chickpeas.
It’s a delicious sauce for grilled chicken, fish, or falafel.
Want a vegetarian option? Toss roasted cauliflower or broccoli florets in the tahini sauce for a flavorful side dish.

Garnishes:

Sprinkle some fresh chopped herbs like parsley, cilantro, or dill on top for a pop of color and freshness.
A drizzle of olive oil adds a nice richness.
For a bit of crunch, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds or a crumbled feta cheese on top.

Storage and Reheating

Lemon Herb Tahini is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers for later! Here’s how:

Storage:

Transfer the leftover tahini to an airtight container. This will prevent air from getting in and causing browning or spoilage.

Refrigerate the tahini. It will keep for up to 2 days.

Reheating:

Take the tahini out of the fridge. The tahini may thicken up as it chills. That’s okay!

Stir in a little cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

Taste the tahini and adjust seasonings if needed. You might want to add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a pinch of salt to brighten things up.

Note: Freezing isn’t recommended for this recipe as the tahini texture might become overly thick or grainy after thawing.

Try this dressing right now. It’s delicious and healthy as well. If you don’t like sesame or tahini, then try one of the other dressings like Date Vinaigrette, Yogurt Dill, QDOBA Picante Ranch, and other recipes.