Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (2024)

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Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (1)

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Sesame Dressing is a mayo based dressing with a burst of sesame flavor that is popular for salad in Japan. It has more calories than soy sauce based dressings, but it tastes so good. There are a lot of bottled sesame dressings at Japanese supermarkets, but it is very easy to make at home.

Sesame Dressing of course goes very well with green salad, but it’s also great on meat, like our picture here. We used the dressing for boiled thinly sliced pork and thinly sliced cucumber. To cook the meat, we dipped the pork in hot water for a few seconds until cooked through (do not over cook). Steamed vegetables are good too. And you may also like it on cold noodles.

You can use ground sesame seeds, but if you would like to have maximum sesame flavor, grind your own sesame seeds.

Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (2)

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Sesame Dressing

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: dressing

*Links may contain ad. #CommissionsEarned

Ingredients

  • 5 Tbsp Mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 1-2 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 Tbsp ground sesame seeds
  • 2 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients In a bowl, and mix well.

Video


dressingSaladsesame sauce

November 5, 2013 By JapaneseCooking101

Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (4)

About JapaneseCooking101

Noriko and Yuko, the authors of this site, are both from Japan but now live in California. They love cooking and eating great food, and share a similar passion for home cooking using fresh ingredients.Noriko and Yuko plan and develop recipes together for Japanese Cooking 101. They cook and shoot photos/videos at their home kitchen(s.)

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  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (8)

    Lewis

    December 11, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    Thanks for the recipe! I feel like I can never find a sesame dressing recipe that reminds me of Japan, but this one is PERFECT! Oishi!

    • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (9)

      Noriko

      December 16, 2013 at 9:08 am

      Lewis,
      thanks for your comment! Glad you liked the recipe!

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (10)

    Hector Calderas

    February 5, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    thanks, for the recipe is ecxelent, my memory go back trouhg your home town i believe, i just to be in osaka for allittle while so congratulations.

    • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (11)

      Noriko

      February 10, 2014 at 9:04 am

      Hector,
      glad you liked it!

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (12)

    Ana

    February 15, 2014 at 2:46 am

    Hi Noriko, thanks for the recipe. How long can I keep it in the refrigerator for later use?

    • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (13)

      Noriko

      February 23, 2014 at 6:06 pm

      Ana,
      I would finish using it in a week or so.

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (14)

    Glenn

    February 28, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    Hi Noriko,

    Thank you for sharing this simple-to-make Sesame dressing. I will definitely try this one. 🙂

    And i have one question, just in case i cant find any rice vinegar, is there an alternative ingredient for that, or any kind of vinegar will do?

    Thanks and keep up the good work 🙂

    • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (15)

      Noriko

      March 2, 2014 at 11:37 pm

      Glenn,
      use a less distinctive flavored vinegar like white vinegar.

      • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (16)

        Glenn

        March 8, 2014 at 12:18 am

        Thanks Noriko. 🙂

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (17)

    cesar ramirez

    March 6, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    my favorite dressing

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (18)

    Elle

    March 31, 2014 at 10:07 pm

    I love this recipe! I got addicted to this dressing while living in Japan!~ Now I can make it myself! It tastes great!

    • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (19)

      Noriko

      September 14, 2014 at 4:31 pm

      Elle,

      That’s awesome! We love it too!

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (20)

    evelyn

    April 28, 2014 at 2:04 am

    Do you use regular mayonnaise or japanese mayonnaise? Would it make a difference if you use one from the other?

    • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (21)

      Noriko

      April 28, 2014 at 9:55 pm

      evelyn,
      we use Japanese mayo. It tastes totally different. If you’re going to use American mayo, add lemon juice and salt to it.

      • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (22)

        evelyn

        April 29, 2014 at 4:24 am

        I’ve made it and it takes good and yummy. It’s just like the commercial roasted sesame dressing that I buy. If the dressing is too thick, what can I add to make it a little bit thin or syrupy?

        • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (23)

          Noriko

          May 3, 2014 at 5:16 pm

          evelyn,
          milk would be good to dilute, but adjust seasonings.

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (24)

    evelyn

    May 3, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    Thanks for the recipe. I made it and my family loved it. It was quite thick so how can I make it thinner? What ingredient should I add? Thank you.

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (25)

    Nobuchan

    June 10, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    I toasted the sesame seeds in a pan, then used the suribachi to grind them into a paste. I used regular mayo. Salad of spring mix baby greens, sliced tomato and sliced avocado. Delicious! Thank you!

    • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (26)

      Noriko

      September 14, 2014 at 1:21 pm

      Nobuchan,
      thanks for trying our Sesame Dressing recipe! We have many salad recipes so come back soon!

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (27)

    Jennifer Thompson

    July 12, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Delicious! Made with subs: american veganaise, lime, brown sugar, and tahini. Amazing!

    • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (28)

      Noriko

      September 13, 2014 at 5:27 pm

      Jennifer,
      glad you liked the Sesame Dressing recipe with your substitutions!

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (29)

    Jo

    October 4, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    Thanks for this recipe – this dressing is delicious. I have pretty much just been eating this on steamed greens since finding it a week or so ago! Great site too – so many yummy dishes I want to try!

    • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (30)

      Noriko

      October 11, 2014 at 4:46 pm

      Jo,
      glad you liked our Sesame Dressing. We’ll have a new recipe of Carrot Ginger Dressing very soon, and try that too!

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (31)

    Sarah Carpio

    February 3, 2016 at 3:11 am

    Can I instead use coconut vinegar instead of rice vinegar?
    Thanks!

    • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (32)

      Noriko

      February 5, 2016 at 1:15 pm

      Sarah,
      Never tried before… Let us know if you make it!

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (33)

    Tam

    March 6, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    Thanks for including substitution for Japanese mayonnaise. Getting Japanese mayonnaise costs as much around here as just buying the dressing, though it probably rounds up to more.

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (34)

    Cyn H.

    March 12, 2016 at 9:12 pm

    This turned out great with the ingredients shown but I felt like it was a tiny bit different from my local sushi restaurants. So I added some grated white onion and about 2 tsp of ketchup and I think I nalied the taste I was going for! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. ✌

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (35)

    Hannah

    April 7, 2016 at 11:02 am

    Just got back from Japan and was craving the sesame dressing I enjoyed while visiting. Whipped this up yesterday and was brought right back. Sooo tasty and right on point with what I was craving. Thanks so much for posting!

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (36)

    Noor

    July 31, 2016 at 11:17 pm

    Hi there thank you for this recipe.i try it it’s really good. I love it…. I have try many of your recipe already…..,, amazing…

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (37)

    Jenny Sophorn

    September 18, 2016 at 6:02 am

    Hi, thanks for posting this. It’s my favorite dressing ever, especially with cold noodle. I’m very curious of the detail about Mayonnaise, is it a specific one for Japanese cooking? Would you mind to show a video of how to do mayo (Japanese way)?

    Regards,

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (38)

    Shena

    September 24, 2016 at 5:51 am

    Hi there – if using american mayo – how much lemon & salt would you add – thanks!

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (39)

    Veronica

    October 4, 2016 at 1:16 pm

    Thanks for this recipe. I’ve been experimenting on this dressing because it’s so difficult to find it here in Scotland. I loved it when we were in Japan. Now I can make my own. Thanks. By the way I used sushi vinegar because I have it handy. Do you think it makes a difference? Or should I look for rice vinegar only?

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (40)

    Marci

    December 11, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    This sauce was so tasty. Its exactly what i was looking for to eat on grilled ahi or as a salad dressing.

  • Sesame Dressing Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101 (2024)

    FAQs

    What is sesame dressing made of? ›

    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.

    What do you use the Kewpie Deep roasted Sesame Dressing for? ›

    It's excellent in any salad; with raw, grilled, or roasted veggies; or on a chilled noodle situation.

    What to eat with Japanese sesame dressing? ›

    Drizzle this dressing over a simple spinach or shredded lettuce salad, mix in an Asian coleslaw or add to a chopped Oriental chicken salad with almonds, shredded cabbage and carrots. From grilled chicken skewers to fried shrimp, rice paper rolls and potstickers, our Japanese Sesame Miso makes a fantastic dipping sauce!

    What is Japanese salad dressing made of? ›

    Wafu (Japanese-Style) Dressing

    Made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, roasted sesame seeds, and grated onion, this versatile wafu dressing goes well with any salad combo you can think of. You will love how it can deliver amazing flavors in such subtlety.

    What are the ingredients in McCormick sesame dressing? ›

    The main ingredients of the McCormick Sesame Goma Dressing include soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, spices and other Japanese-inspired flavours. It has a rich, creamy and savoury flavour with a nutty and slightly sweet taste.

    What are the ingredients in Kewpie roasted sesame dressing? ›

    Ingredients: Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Water, Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt), Brown Sugar, Sesame Seeds, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Yeast Extract, Natural Flavors, Egg Yolk, Xanthan Gum.

    How do you thicken sesame dressing? ›

    By grinding the sesame seeds with a pestle and mortar (or with a clean coffee grinder), it releases the seed oil and the toasted sesame fragrance. Grinned sesame seeds also help thicken the salad dressing.

    Is sesame dressing the same as tahini? ›

    Tahini: No They're Not The Same Thing. Double check your recipe, because they're not entirely interchangeable. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team.

    What is the dressing in Miracle Whip? ›

    Miracle Whip is made from water, soybean oil, high-fructose corn syrup, vinegar, modified corn starch, eggs, salt, natural flavor, mustard flour, potassium sorbate, spice, and dried garlic.

    Does sesame dressing go bad? ›

    Information. Unopened jars of mayonnaise and salad dressing may be stored in the pantry. After opening, keep refrigerated up to 2 months. For more information, you may call the Food and Drug Administration's toll-free at 1-888-723-3366 or go to FDA's website.

    Should sesame dressing be refrigerated? ›

    Because this Asian Sesame Dressing doesn't use any fresh ingredients that go off, it has a very long shelf life. I keep it for 3 weeks. I like to keep it in the fridge, just to be safe (and also because I keep my soy sauce refrigerated, and this has soy sauce in it).

    Do I need to refrigerate sesame oil after opening? ›

    Sesame oil and other unrefined oil

    Unrefined nut oils, like sesame oil commonly used in Chinese cooking, should be refrigerated because they are prone to go rancid and lose their flavour. Refined oil of any origin, including peanut oil, will last indefinitely at room temperature.

    What do Japanese people put mayo on? ›

    It's a delicious topping for savory pancakes like okonomiyaki, a regional specialty from Osaka, or simply mixed with rice and leftover protein. It also makes an addicting dipping sauce for foods such as fries and karaage, Japanese fried chicken. In short, there are many ways to eat Japanese mayo.

    What condiment is used in Japanese cuisine? ›

    Shoyu (soy sauce)

    Shoyu is the most widely used condiment in Japanese cuisine and found in or added to a large number of dishes.

    What is the healthiest salad dressing you can eat? ›

    Oil and vinegar.

    “This is a great option, because it won't have any added sugar or salt,” says Allers. “But the type of oil is important. Opt for olive or avocado oil over an alternative like canola or soybean oil.” These healthy oils are packed with antioxidants, and can even help lower cholesterol.

    Is Sesame Dressing good for you? ›

    Is Sesame Salad Dressing Healthy? Yep! You'll want to use it sparingly, of course. Oil is oil and there is a fair amount of it here.

    What does Chinese sesame sauce taste like? ›

    Simple yet bold, our Sesame Sauce highlights sweet, tangy and roasted notes with toasted sesame seeds, ginger, michiu flavored wine and brown sugar.

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