Tahini Caesar Salad (Printable Version)

Crisp romaine and croutons tossed in a creamy tahini-lemon dressing for a tangy, modern Caesar.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 (use plant-based Worcestershire for vegetarian option)
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 freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic and grated Parmesan in a small bowl; add water gradually and whisk until the emulsion is smooth and pourable, adjusting with additional water to reach desired consistency.
02 - Place the chopped romaine and halved cherry tomatoes in a large salad bowl and add the croutons.
03 - Drizzle the tahini dressing over the greens and croutons and toss thoroughly to coat all elements evenly.
04 - Scatter the grated Parmesan over the salad, toss gently to combine, then transfer to serving plates and garnish with extra croutons and additional Parmesan if desired.
05 - If using homemade croutons, toss bread cubes with olive oil and salt and bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes until golden and crisp before adding to the salad.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This tahini Caesar tastes luxuriously rich while sneaking in a lighter, plant-based edge.
  • I reach for this when I want big flavor without much fuss or time in the kitchen.
02 -
  • I once made the mistake of adding all the water at once—go slow or the dressing can become too thin fast.
  • Using freshly squeezed lemon makes the flavors pop in a way bottled juice just never matched.
03 -
  • Taste your dressing before tossing to balance salt, acidity, and creaminess.
  • Whisking the dressing well is the secret to that signature Caesar silkiness—don’t rush it.
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