Sweet Ginger Sesame Sauce - EatPlant-Based

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This oil-free, vegan sweet ginger sesame sauce offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors, making it ideal for salads, stir-fries, or marinades. Packed with fresh ginger and sesame seeds, it’s a healthy, flavorful addition to any plant-based dish!

bright orange bowl filled with homemade sweet ginger sauce with a white spoon.

This sweet ginger sauce has so many uses. I like to use it in stir-fries and to season a rice bowl. It can even be used as a dipping sauce or marinade. More recently, I found out it makes a great salad dressing as well.

We have more umami-flavored sauces on this website like my easy miso sauce in minutes, this oil-free teriyaki sauce, and our easy vegan stir-fry sauce.

Table of Contents

Reasons you will love this sauce
Ingredients you will need
How to make sweet ginger sesame sauce
Frequently Asked Questions
More Oil-Free Umami Sauces
Sweet Ginger Sesame Sauce

Reasons you will love this sauce

Healthy and Low-Fat: This oil-free sauce offers all the flavor without added fats, making it a nutritious option for those looking to cut down on calories while still enjoying delicious meals.
Bold and Balanced Flavor: The perfect blend of sweet, tangy ginger and nutty sesame creates a mouthwatering, well-balanced sauce that elevates any dish from salads to stir-fries.
Quick and Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients, this vegan sauce can be whipped up in minutes, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Versatile and Adaptable: Whether you’re looking for a salad dressing, marinade, or dip, this sauce is versatile enough to complement a wide range of dishes, adding a burst of flavor to any dish.

Ingredients you will need

cutting board with ginger, garlic, and green onions

Making your own healthy oil-free sauces is really quite simple. The taste of the homemade stuff really trumps the bottled stuff. Try using this sauce to make my Vegan Dumplings recipe!

Sesame seeds- Toasted sesame seeds add a deep, nutty flavor and enhance the overall richness of sweet ginger sesame sauce, giving it a more complex and satisfying taste. They also provide a pleasant crunch and boost the visual appeal of the dish.
Tahini– Adds a creamy, rich texture to sweet ginger sesame sauce while enhancing the nutty flavor of the sesame seeds. It helps create a smooth, well-balanced sauce that complements the sweet and tangy elements, making the sauce more indulgent and versatile.
Garlic- Creates a savory, aromatic depth to sweet ginger sesame sauce, balancing the sweetness with its bold, slightly spicy flavor.
Ginger- Brings a zesty, vibrant kick to sweet ginger sesame sauce, adding a bold, spicy warmth that balances the sweetness. Its natural flavor elevates the sauce’s complexity and freshness, making it more dynamic and aromatic.
Soy sauce- Adds a savory, umami richness to sweet ginger sesame sauce, balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall depth of flavor. Its salty, complex notes help tie together the ginger and sesame, creating a well-rounded, flavorful sauce.
Sweetener- Honey or agave adds a natural sweetness to sweet ginger sesame sauce, balancing the tangy and savory flavors. Both sweeteners also help create a smooth texture and enhance the overall depth of the sauce without overpowering its fresh, bold ingredients.

How to make sweet ginger sesame sauce

The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.

STEP #1: Begin by toasting sesame seeds by placing them in a dry frying pan and heating them on medium-high heat for just a few minutes.

They will begin to turn a golden brown and start popping up out of the pan. Do not leave the pan unattended because it will burn quickly.

Once the seeds are lightly browned, remove them from the heat and pour them into a small mixing bowl.

ginger root on cutting board with piece being grated in background

STEP #2: Peel and grate fresh ginger root. Though ground ginger can be substituted in this recipe, I feel that fresh ginger is what really makes the taste pop.

Sometimes, I freeze whole unpeeled ginger pieces in a freezer bag to keep it on hand for dishes like this one. It’s so nice to always have it ready to pull out and defrost quickly.

STEP #3: Mince up the garlic. Personally, I like to use a garlic press for this. I used to mince my garlic up with a knife or just use the store-bought jar variety. However, over time, I realized that using a press brings out the best and freshest flavor in recipes.

sweet ginger sauce with sesame seeds in clear bowl with whisk

STEP #4: Add all the ingredients to the bowl with the toasted sesame seeds and whisk everything together well.

sweet ginger sauce in asian bowl with bowls of rice in background

STEP #5: This sweet umami sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in stir-fries, as a marinade for plant-based proteins like tofu, to season veggie poke bowls, or as a delicious salad dressing. Its rich flavor elevates any dish, making it a must-have in your kitchen!

*Originally published December 2014.

Sauce recipe adapted from mydarlingvegan.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to toast the sesame seeds?

Yes, toasting the seeds brings out the flavor. If you don’t toast them first, you’ll really miss out on it.

Can I adjust the sweetness of the sauce?

Yes! You can easily adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sweetener, like maple syrup or agave, to suit your taste preference.

What can I use to thicken the sauce?

If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can add a small amount of cornstarch or arrowroot powder dissolved in water and heat the sauce gently to thicken it.

Can I make the sauce spicy?

Absolutely! For extra heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes, sriracha, or fresh chili to give the sauce a spicy kick.

How long will it last?

Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days.

overhead shot of bowl of asian sweet ginger sauce

More Oil-Free Umami Sauces

white bowl with spoonful of teriyaki sauce on wooden board

clear glass jar filled with homemade tahini sauce with a spoon inside jar.

homemade stir fry sauce in white bowl on bamboo mat with stir fry in stainless wok

For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!

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sweet ginger sauce in asian bowl with soup spoon

4.48 from 40 votes

Sweet Ginger Sesame Sauce

Author: Terri Edwards This oil-free, vegan sweet ginger sesame sauce offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors, making it ideal for salads, stir-fries, or marinades. Packed with fresh ginger and sesame seeds, it's a healthy, flavorful addition to any plant-based dish! Prep: 10 minutes Total: 10 minutes Print Pin SaveSaved! Servings: 4 1x2x3x

Ingredients US Customary - Metric

▢ 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
▢ 1/2 teaspoon of tahini
▢ 1 tablespoon minced garlic
▢ 1.5 teaspoon ginger root or 2 tsp ground ginger
▢ 3 tablespoon soy sauce tamari for gluten-free
▢ 2 tablespoons sweetener agave, maple, honey, bee-free honey, etc
▢ 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

Begin by toasting some sesame seeds by placing them in a dry frying pan and heating on medium-high heat for just a few minutes. They will begin to turn a golden brown and start popping up out of the pan. Do not leave the pan unattended because it will burn quickly.
Once the seeds are lightly browned, remove them from the heat and pour them into a small mixing bowl.
Next, peel and grate fresh ginger root. Though ground ginger can be substituted in this recipe, I feel that fresh ginger is what really makes the taste pop.
Mince the garlic. Personally, I like to use a garlic press for this. I used to mince my garlic up with a knife or just use the store-bought jar variety. However, over time, I realized that using a press brings out the best and freshest flavor in recipes.
Add all the ingredients to the bowl with the toasted sesame seeds and whisk everything together well.
It can be used in stir-fries, as a marinade for plant-based proteins like tofu, to season veggie poke bowls or as a delicious salad dressing. Its rich flavor elevates any dish, making it a must-have in your kitchen!

Video

Notes

Tips & Suggestions: I have included step-by-step photos and directions above to ensure your first attempt will be successful. Sesame seeds- Toasting the seeds brings out the flavor. If you don't toast them first, you'll really miss out on it. Sweetness- You can easily adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sweetener, like maple syrup or agave, to suit your taste preference. Thicken it- If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can add a small amount of cornstarch or arrowroot powder dissolved in water and heat the sauce gently to thicken it. Storage- Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days.

Nutrition

Disclaimer

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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About Terri Edwards

Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…

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7 Comments

hi Terri Stunning! I left out the sweetener, I actually forgot, it was AWESOME. thank you terri!!I I’ve been a vegan chef forever. so refreshing seeing what you post. your flavors and the way you write is beautiful thank you Teree
Reply
1. Hi Teree- Thank you, and I’m so glad that the recipe turned out well for you even without the sweetener. That’s awesome!
  Reply
Pingback: How to Cook With Tofu - Center for Nutrition Studies
Left out the oil also and used a bit of Tahini. So tasteful, So good. Thank you, we will eat more Tofu!
Reply
1. That’s terrific to hear! So glad that you enjoyed the recipe. We love tofu too!
  Reply
This sauce rocks! This will definitely be a staple in my house now. I used it to marinate tofu (set it aside), and stir-fried some broccoli and carrots. Then, I added the tofu back to the pan and topped everything with the sauce. So delicious!
Reply
I left out the oil and tahini. It is delicious!!
Reply