Tahini Caesar Salad (Printable)

Crisp romaine and croutons tossed in a creamy tahini-lemon dressing with Parmesan for a bright, modern salad.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or vegetarian hard cheese)
04 - 1 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)

→ Tahini Caesar Dressing

05 - 1/3 cup tahini
06 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
07 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
09 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (or vegetarian alternative)
10 - 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
11 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 2 tablespoons water (plus more as needed)
13 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Method:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Gradually add water, whisking until the dressing is smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency with more water if needed.
02 - Place chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, and croutons in a large salad bowl.
03 - Drizzle the tahini Caesar dressing over the salad and toss well to coat all ingredients.
04 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and toss gently to combine.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra croutons and Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tahini dressing feels both creamy and refreshing without feeling heavy—like you’re getting away with a lighter take that somehow tastes richer.
  • Crisp lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and homemade (or easy croutons) make every bite satisfying enough for a lunch or a lively dinner side.
02 -
  • If you add too much water to the tahini dressing, it can go from creamy to watery in a blink—so drizzle in slowly and whisk constantly.
  • Letting the salad sit too long after dressing will make even the best croutons go soggy, so always toss just before eating.
03 -
  • Let the finished dressed salad sit for just one minute so the flavors meld but the croutons stay crisp.
  • If your tahini is extra thick, warm it slightly or whisk it with lemon juice before adding other liquids for velvety smoothness.
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