Description
This Herby Tahini Ranch Dressing with Simple Middle Eastern Chopped Salad offers a fresh, vibrant, and nutritious twist on traditional salads. Creamy tahini combines with Greek or plant-based yogurt and zesty ranch spices, enhanced by an abundance of fresh herbs and crisp vegetables inspired by Middle Eastern flavors. Perfect for any meal, it’s easy to prepare, versatile, and beautifully balanced with bright, aromatic notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup tahini
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix (dried herbs and spices)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2–4 tablespoons water (to thin the dressing)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup tomato, diced
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
Optional Add-ins
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup cooked chickpeas
- Toasted pine nuts or pumpkin seeds for crunch
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together tahini, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, ranch seasoning mix, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Gradually add water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dressing reaches a creamy but pourable consistency. Stir in finely chopped parsley, dill, and cilantro to infuse fresh herb flavors.
- Chop the Salad Vegetables: Dice cucumber, tomato, and red onion into uniform, bite-sized cubes. Finely chop fresh mint and parsley leaves. Combine all these ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Toss the Salad and Dress: Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt over the chopped salad ingredients. Gently toss to coat everything evenly. Pour the herby tahini ranch dressing on top and toss lightly again, ensuring all components are well-coated without bruising the vegetables.
- Add Optional Extras: If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese or add cooked chickpeas to boost creaminess and protein. Adjust dressing quantity if needed to maintain balance.
Notes
- Use Fresh Herbs: The fresher the herbs, the more vibrant and aromatic the dressing will be.
- Thin Dressing Gradually: Add water slowly to achieve the perfect creamy texture without diluting the flavor.
- Adjust Salt Last: Season the salad at the end to enhance, not overpower, the flavors.
- Chill Before Serving: Allow the salad and dressing to rest in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to meld the flavors beautifully.
- Serve Cold or Room Temperature: This salad is best enjoyed fresh without reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
Keywords: Tahini dressing, ranch dressing, Middle Eastern salad, healthy salad, herby dressing, chopped salad, vegan dressing, easy salad