Published: by Nisha Melvani, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments
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This Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing contains curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, that shows a significant improvement in morning stiffness, walking time, and joint swelling, with the complete absence of any side effectsin people with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder.
this RECIPE
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I am not one to use terms such as 'anti-inflammatory' lightly. But the evidence is clear. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, is a safe and effective ingredient in helping to reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Turmeric is the dried powdered root stalks of the turmeric plant—a member of the ginger family—from which the orange-yellow pigment curcumin can be extracted. The spice turmeric is what makes curry powder yellow, and curcumin is what makes turmeric yellow.
Adding black pepper enhances the bioavailability of curcumin, increasing its effectiveness. Piperine, the compound responsible for the pungent flavor in pepper, plays a crucial role in this synergy. The combination of curcumin and piperine significantly boosts the bioavailability of curcumin, and surprisingly, just a small amount of black pepper is sufficient for this effect!
Tahini enhances this effect even more. Heart-healthy fats, the type found in tahini, increase the absorption of curcumin, so it goes directly to the bloodstream and bypasses the liver. (The liver makes molecules more water soluble so they are easily excreted and therefore less bioavailable. Black pepper and fat suppress that process so more ends up in the bloodstream.)
This healthy salad dressing was inspired by my 3 Healthy Salad Dressing recipes on this site, as well as this Miso Tahini Dressing.
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- 👩🏼🌾 Ingredients
- 🧄 Substitutions
- 📖 How to Make Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing
- ✔️ Top tip
- 🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
- 🍽 Related Recipes
- 👩🏽🍳 Made This Recipe?
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
👩🏼🌾 Ingredients
![Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing (2) Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing (2)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingforpeanuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ingredients-anti-inflammatory-salad-dressing.jpg)
- Tahini
- Lemon
- Ginger
- Maple syrup
- Turmeric
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
See the recipe card for quantities.
🧄 Substitutions
- Tahini - instead of tahini, use cashew or coconut yogurt, adjusting the quantity to taste
- Turmeric and black pepper - Substitute with ½ teaspoon curry powder or to taste. (Curry powder typically contains both black pepper and turmeric.)
- Ginger - substitute with ⅛ teaspoon ginger powder instead as needed
- Lemon - use apple cider vinegar instead as needed
- Maple syrup - substitute with agave as desired
This dressing pairs deliciously with my Roasted Vegetable Salad on this site. For more healthy salad dressings, visit my Vegan Dressing Recipes page.
📖 How to Make Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing
For the full recipe with quantities, scroll down to the bottom of the post. This is an overview.
![Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing (3) Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing (3)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingforpeanuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/glow-dressing-1.jpg)
Step 1. Blend or whisk:Transfer the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger, turmeric, and garlic powder to a medium bowl or blender.
![Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing (4) Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing (4)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingforpeanuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/turmeric-salad-dressing-blender.jpg)
Step 2. Add 2 tablespoons warm water. Blend or mix well until the desired consistency.
![Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing (5) Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing (5)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingforpeanuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/glow-dressing-3.jpg)
Storage: Refrigerate Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
✔️ Top tip
When substituting ingredients, ensure to incorporate heart-healthy fat along with black pepper to harness the anti-inflammatory benefits of curcumin found in turmeric.
🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
What are some foods that may help with inflammation?
Foods that might help reduce inflammation include tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, green leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, collards), nuts (almonds and walnuts), and fruit (blueberries, cherries, strawberries). To fight inflammation, choose whole, unprocessed foods with no added sugar.
Do nightshades cause inflammation?
The controversial link between nightshades and increased inflammation is not backed up by research. Numerous studies have failed to find evidence that eating nightshade vegetables gives rise to inflammation. Some of the researchers theorize that, while not a direct cause of inflammation, nightshade vegetables may aggravate existing inflammation in some people.
However, everyone's food intolerances are different, so if you feel worse after eating nightshades, it is understandable that you would avoid eating them.
Are turmeric supplements safe?
I recommend consuming turmeric in its natural and ground form. However, if you are interested in its supplemental forms, while they are generally considered safe when third-party tested, you should check with your doctor first. High doses of turmeric could have a blood-thinning effect, and if taken on top of prescribed anticoagulants, this could increase the risk of dangerous bleeding.
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👩🏽🍳 Made This Recipe?
Please leave a review forAnti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing and share your creation with me onInstagram. It makes my day to see you recreate my recipes.
I would love it if you would ⭐️ rate this recipe and leave a comment. Thank you in advance.
📖 Recipe
Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing
Nisha Melvani
This Anti-Inflammatory Salad dressing contains curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, that shows significant reduction in joint swelling.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Dressing
Cuisine Vegan
Servings 5 servings
Calories 134 kcal
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons tahini
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 small lemons)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ inch ginger (grated if not using a blender)
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Blend or whisk: Transfer the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger, turmeric, and garlic powder to a medium bowl or blender. Add 2 tablespoons warm water. Blend or mix well until the desired consistency.
Notes
- Tahini - instead of tahini, use cashew or coconut yogurt, adjusting the quantity to taste
- Ginger - substitute with ⅛ teaspoon ginger powder instead as needed
- When substituting ingredients, ensure to incorporate heart-healthy fat along with black pepper to harness the anti-inflammatory benefits of curcumin found in turmeric.
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
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Healthy Dressing Recipes
- Homemade Vegan Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
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- The Best Avocado Dressing Recipe For A Healthy Salad
- Curry Dressing (Paleo)
Reader Interactions
Comments
Lillie
Where is the recipe for the salad, please?
Reply
Nisha Melvani, RDN
https://cookingforpeanuts.com/roasted-vegetable-salad-high-protein/
Reply
MBrola
This is really a glow dressing and on first inspection appears to be a honey mustard because it is so bight but it is not what it appears, still tastes great even when I had a cheap unsalted tahini it balanced out nicely with a bit more maple syrup and some distilled water, another winner! Thank you kindly!Reply
Nisha Melvani, RDN
Great that it still tasted great with cheap tahini! That stuff can be challenging to work with:)
Reply
Lorraine Norton
I made this tonight. I double checked the recipe..it is very thick. Added more water, still thick. Has this happened to you? Is it supposed to be thick? It is not pourable. Smells wonderful but purplexed. Thank you!
Reply
Nisha Melvani, RDN
Hi, Did you add the 2 tablespoons warm water before blending? Also, what brand of tahini did you use? I prefer Soom Foods and Seed + Mill. Also, the tahini can seize depending on the brand but this should not happen with this recipe as it is blended and has sufficient liquid.
Reply
Paiten
Just started incorporating tumeric into my diet and this was perfect. Loved the tumeric tahini combo with the other spices. Overall very tasty and you can leave thicker like a sauce or thin more for a salad dressing. Will definitely make this again!Reply
Nisha Melvani, RDN
I'm so glad it was a hit! Thank you.
Reply
Matt Foster
Wonderful, love the dressing. My kids are crazy about it!
It would great if you could include measurements in grams as well!
Thanks!Reply
Nisha Melvani, RDN
Hi. I will work on doing that! Thank you. Have a great week.
Reply
Jessica
Yes please in grams !
Reply
Nisha Melvani, RDN
Will look into this.
Reply
Michelle
Can’t wait to make this. Could I use fresh whole turmeric? Just bought a bunch at Trader Joe’s. If so, how much?
Reply
Nisha Melvani, RDN
Yes! Absolutely. Use 1 tablespoon grated fresh for 1 tsp dried/ground.
Reply