Mix up this healthy peanut sesame dressing for a creamy peanut dressing on your favorite salad. This oil-free dressing is incredibly healthy and absolutely packed with flavor.
Making your own dressing is super easy and significantly healthier than using the store-bought dressings that have tons of added oils and preservatives.
I recommend avoiding oil as much as possible, but I can't emphasize enough how important it is to get very refined oils like canola oil, vegetable oil, and soybean oils out of your diet. These oils are highly processed and contain trans-fats (the bad kind). These are not the types of foods you want in your diet.
So, whenever possible, make salad dressing at home!
This peanut sesame dressing is incredibly thick and creamy without any of the oil because it has both peanut butter and tahini. These flavors make an ultra decadent dressing that is packed with flavor!
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Why I love this Healthy Peanut Sesame Dressing
- Dietary needs - this dressing is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and refined sugar free
- Quick dressing - ready in less than five minutes!
- Healthier version of a classic - this homemade peanut dressing can be used in place of a store-bought Thai Peanut Sauce, or any peanutty dressing.
- Just as flavorful - just because it doesn't have oil, doesn't mean it isn't delicious. This dressing is loaded with flavor and will be the star of your salad
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Creamy Peanut Butter: look for a peanut butter that only has peanuts and salt in the ingredient list
- Rice Vinegar: rice vinegar gives this dressing a more Asian flair. If you don't have rice vinegar, you can use a light vinegar like apple cider vinegar
- Soy Sauce, Liquid Aminos, or Tamari: any of these three will work! If you are gluten-free, be sure to avoid soy sauce
- Tahini: this is how we get the sesame flavor, instead of using sesame oil (tahini is a seed butter made from sesame seeds!)
- Maple Syrup: to make this recipe completely fruit sweetened, use date syrup instead
- Lime Juice: fresh lime juice is always best!
- Garlic: just a bit of raw garlic gives the dressing a kick. There are only two cloves, so the flavor isn't overpowering. You can use some garlic powder as a substitute for fresh
- Ground Ginger: I used ground ginger because I always have it on hand, but fresh will work too!
- Pinch Cayenne: this dressing isn't super spicy, so if you want a bit more spice, feel free to add extra cayenne
- Water: whisking in water helps create a thinner dressing. Depending on the consistency of your peanut butter and tahini, you may need more or less water
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. In a medium bowl add the peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, tahini, maple syrup, lime juice, garlic, ginger, and cayenne.
Step 2. Whisk the ingredients. If the dressing is on the thicker side, add water slowly until a creamy sauce forms.
Storing Homemade Salad Dressing
Store covered in the fridge for up to two weeks.
I usually keep mine in a mason jar.
What to use this peanut sesame dressing with
This healthy peanut dressing is loaded with peanut flavor. So it's best on salads with a more Asian flair or basic veggies & greens salads where you want a pop of flavor!
Here are a few options that will pair well with this peanut dressing:
More healthy dressings
Looking for other easy vegan versions of your favorite sauces? I've got you:
Tried this recipe?
Please leave a review in the comments section below and post on Instagram tagging me @elizabeths_table. You can also stay in touch with me on social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok or by subscribing to my newsletter.
📖 Recipe
Healthy Peanut Sesame Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup Creamy Natural Peanut Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce, Liquid Aminos, or Tamari
- 2 Tablespoons Tahini
- 2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
- Juice of 1 Lime
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
- ¼ Teaspoon Ground Ginger
- Pinch Cayenne
- 2-4 Tablespoons Water, if necessary
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add the peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, tahini, maple syrup, lime juice, garlic, ginger, and cayenne.
- Whisk the ingredients. If the dressing is on the thicker side, add water slowly until a creamy sauce forms.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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