Japanese Sesame Salad Dressing Recipe - The Spruce Eats

  • This Japanese sesame dressing skips mayonnaise for a lighter, dairy-free option.
  • Toasted and ground white sesame seeds create an authentic, nutty flavor base.
  • You can dress salads, noodles, meats, or use it as a marinade for versatile everyday meals.

Sesame salad dressing is very popular in Japan and is sometimes known as goma dressing (goma means sesame in Japanese). Sesame seeds have a nutty, slightly sweet taste and contribute a wonderful flavor to this simple salad dressing. You may find bottled sesame dressings at your local supermarket, but it is very easy to make at home without the preservatives, using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Japanese sesame salad dressing in a bowl with chopsticks nearby

The Spruce Eats

Although there are mayo-based sesame dressing recipes that many enjoy, this soy sauce-based version flavored with sesame oil is mayonnaise-free. This makes it non-dairy, saves you calories, and offers a healthier—but still delicious—choice.

Drizzle this sesame dressing over thinly sliced beef, pork, fresh tuna, or salmon garnished with chopped cucumber. Enjoy it on steamed vegetables tossed with cold noodles, or use it as an Asian-inspired marinade for chicken, shrimp, or steak. It's also a delicious dressing for Asian coleslaw when combined with shredded cabbage and carrots, crunchy ramen noodles, and toasted sesame seeds. You can even use this dressing as a dipping sauce for gyoza or dumplings.

Tips for Making Japanese Sesame Dressing Recipe

  • Little bit at a time - The vinegar in this dressing might be too sour for some tastes. To play it safe, start with 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar and then taste the dressing before adding more.
  • Use store-bought - Instead of toasting and grinding your own sesame seeds, you can use store-bought ground sesame seeds; however, the dressing may not have as rich a sesame flavor.
what you'll need to make this japanese sesame dressing recipe Amazon Lodge 12-Inch Seasoned Carbon Steel Skillet A Good Frying Pan Cole & Mason 5-inch Granite Mortar & Pestle A Heavy Mortar and Pestle RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel Mini Whisk A Small Whisk

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