Tahini Caesar Salad (Printable)

Crisp romaine, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan and croutons tossed in a tangy tahini-lemon dressing — quick, bright, and creamy.

# 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

# How To Make It:

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 -
  • Swapping in tahini for eggs and anchovies makes the dressing naturally creamy and unique.
  • It's fuss-free yet always impressive, even when thrown together for a last-minute lunch with friends.
02 -
  • The first time I tried to make the dressing, I added all the water at once and ended up with a watery mess—always add gradually.
  • Letting the salad sit too long after tossing means soggy croutons, so dress just before serving for crunch.
03 -
  • Warming tahini slightly in the microwave makes it easier to whisk and prevents clumping.
  • A microplane grater turns Parmesan into fluffy snow that clings especially well to dressed leaves.
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