Easy Sesame Dressing

This sesame dressing is light and slightly creamy, with an irresistible nutty sesame flavor. Beyond salads, it’s great on coleslaw, rice and noodle bowls, sashimi, and even as a marinade for meat.

By
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel has over 10 years of experience developing recipes and writing about food. She is the author of 4 cookbooks, including the bestselling The Instant Pot Electric Cookbook.
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Published May 19, 2022
Laurel Randolph
Sesame Dressing

Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes

Perhaps no other salad dressing is as versatile as sesame dressing. The simple mixture of sesame seeds, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and brown sugar has the ideal balance of nutty, salty, tart, and lightly sweet. It turns plain greens into a shining salad and coats chopped veggies to create something truly memorable.

But don’t stop at salad. You can use sesame dressing as a marinade for any type of meat, or on top of sashimi, noodle salads, and rice bowls. Serve it as a dip for dumplings or sliced cucumbers and bell peppers in every color. It’s the kind of dressing you’ll be shaking up by the jar-full again and again.

Sesame Dressing

Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes

For More Flavor, Toast the Sesame Seeds

For an extra flavorful dressing, toast the sesame seeds in a skillet. This can be done up to a day or two ahead of time—store the toasted seeds in an airtight container. I like grinding them up using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle to make a creamier dressing with a little body. Leave them whole for a thinner dressing with the occasional crunch.

Delicious Substitutions that Work 

This dressing is easy to adjust according to your diet, taste, and what you have in the pantry:

  • Soy sauce: Low-sodium is preferred, but regular soy sauce works too. Start with a little less, 2 1/2 tablespoons. You can also swap the soy sauce out for liquid aminos.
  • Olive oil: For oil with a more neutral flavor, use canola or vegetable oil.
  • Brown sugar: Replace with an equal amount of honey, adding more to taste.
  • Rice vinegar: White vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and red wine vinegar all make good substitutions.

Ways to Play with the Recipe

Fresh ginger is optional, but it adds a really nice zing. You can also add thinly sliced scallions or a grated garlic clove for even more flavor. A tablespoon or two of fresh orange juice adds a citrusy, fruity element.

Sesame Dressing

Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes

A Million-ish Ways to Use Sesame Dressing

Sesame dressing is delightful simply tossed with mixed greens. Try this sesame dressing in these recipes: 

Or use it to dress these bowls and veggies:

Try it as a marinade or sauce for meats:

Easy Sesame Dressing

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 6 servings
Yield 1 cup

You can buy toasted sesame seeds. They’re not quite as flavorful, but they work. No need to toast them again. Using untoasted sesame seeds will give you a milder dressing.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons raw sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, tightly packed

Method

  1. Toast the sesame seeds:

    In a medium skillet, add the sesame seeds and spread them out into an even layer. Set it over medium-low heat. Toast, stirring occasionally, until the seeds are light golden brown and fragrant, 10 to 12 minutes.

    Toast Sesame Seeds for Sesame Dressing

    Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes
  2. Grind the sesame seeds:

    Transfer the toasted seeds into a clean spice grinder, small food processor, or mortar and pestle. Grind until a fine powder forms. Alternatively, you can leave the seeds whole for a thinner dressing with a bit of crunch.

    Grind Sesame Seeds for Sesame Dressing

    Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes
  3. Assemble the dressing:

    Add the ground sesame seeds, ginger, vinegar, olive oil, soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar into a lidded jar. 

    Screw on the lid and shake until the sugar has dissolved and the dressing is combined well, about 30 seconds. The dressing should be a little creamy, especially if you ground the seeds.

    Alternatively, combine the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved.

    Ingredients for Sesame Dressing in Jar

    Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes
    Sesame Dressing

    Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes
  4. Taste and serve:

    Taste the dressing and, if needed, add more sugar, vinegar, or a pinch or two of salt so that it suits your tastes. Use right away or store in the fridge for up to a week, shaking before using.

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    Sesame Dressing

    Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes