Asian Sesame Dressing is nutty, slightly sweet, and full of umami—great for Japanese Spinach Salad or as a dipping sauce for Miso Grilled Tofu.
Asian Salad Dressing
This vinaigrette-style dressing comes together with a handful of pantry staples and a quick stovetop step to toast the sesame seeds. That step really makes a difference—it deepens the flavor and brings out the nuttiness. Once whisked, the dressing is savory, slightly sweet, and has a warm, toasty finish.
As a home cook focused on vegetarian and plant-based recipes, I like having quick dressing recipes on hand that can double as dips, marinades, or finishing sauces. This sesame dressing gets its flavor from the basics—soy sauce, a little sugar, and sesame seeds—and doesn’t rely on bottled sauces or thickeners.
Ingredients for Asian Sesame Dressing
You will need the following:
- White Sesame Seeds – Toasted lightly in a dry skillet to release their nutty flavor. Whole seeds are key here; pre-toasted seeds can taste flat.
- Soy Sauce – The savory umami base of the dressing.
- Water – Mellows the soy sauce so it’s not overpowering.
- Granulated Sugar – A small amount helps balance the saltiness and round out the flavor, keeping the dressing from tasting too sharp.
How to Make Sesame Salad Dressing
STEP ONE: Toast the sesame seeds. Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the white sesame seeds and toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring often, until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
STEP TWO: Mix the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the water, soy sauce, sugar, and toasted sesame seeds until combined.
STEP THREE: Taste and adjust. The flavor should be balanced—salty, a little sweet, and nutty. Adjust sugar or soy sauce to taste if needed. The sesame seeds will float to the top of the dressing—this is completely normal. Just give it a quick stir before pouring, and everything will mix right back together.
Make It Vegan 🌱
- This dressing is naturally vegan and dairy-free—just double-check your soy sauce label to ensure no fish-based additives (which is rare, but worth noting).
Storage
- Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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Asian Sesame Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
Instructions
- Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the white sesame seeds and toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring often, until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the water, soy sauce, sugar, and toasted sesame seeds until combined.
- Adjust sugar or soy sauce to taste if needed. The sesame seeds will float to the top of the dressing—this is completely normal. Just give it a quick stir before pouring, and everything will mix right back together.
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