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This Creamy Roasted Sesame Dressing is one of my all-time favorite Japanese kewpie sesame dressing copycats! it’s nutty, creamy, and so easy to make. All you need are some crunchy leafy greens, toss it in a Japanese Sesame Dressing and you have yourself an instant side salad, plus recipes you can use immediately!
Table of Contents
- Japanese Creamy Roasted Sesame Dressing (Paleo, Whole30)
- Why toast and grind sesame seeds?
- How to roast sesame seeds?
- How can I make salad dressing thicker?
- Recipes you can use
- More Paleo, Dairy-free and Whole30 salad dressings:
- Creamy Roasted Sesame Dressing (Paleo, Whole30, Keto) Recipe
- Also check out these wonderful healthy salads and stir-fry greens:
Japanese Creamy Roasted Sesame Dressing (Paleo, Whole30)
If you love a good creamy salad dressing this Japanese-inspired Roasted Sesame Dressing (AKA Goma Dressing) is a dressing that you don’t want to miss! It’s simple to make and a great standby for almost any crunchy leafy greens.
Use this Paleo creamy sesame dressing for Asian Coleslaw, broccolini noodle salad, or chopped bok choy salad. It’s also a terrific dressing to make steamed vegetables so much tastier. Finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra nutty deliciousness!
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Traditionally Japanese sesame dressing (Goma Dressing) is made with Japanese mayonnaise. To simply the method, I use Paleo and Whole30 Mayo. Both Primal Kitchen and Tessemae’s mayo are Whole30 compliant.
Why toast and grind sesame seeds?
Lightly toasted sesame seeds add extra nutty delicious flavor to this Japanese 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.
How to roast sesame seeds?
This stovetop method applies to both black and white sesame seeds.
- In a dry cast iron skillet, add the sesame seeds.
- Toast the sesame over low heat for about 2-3 minutes.
- You’ll need to stir the seeds with a spatula or rock the skillet back-and-forth to keep the sesame from burning.
How can I make salad dressing thicker?
To make dairy-free salad dressing thicker, you need an emulsifier such as coconut yogurt (or any dairy-free yogurt), egg, seed and nut butter, avocado, mayo, or (Dijon) mustard.
Recipes you can use
There are many dishes that pair well with this delicious creamy dressing. In my opinion, it pairs well with cold side dishes, such as Japanese cucumber salad, Silken tofu recipe, Bok choy salad, Gomaae Japanese spinach salad, or chopped bok choy salad.
More Paleo, Dairy-free and Whole30 salad dressings:
- 5 Whole30 salad dressings (Summer/Spring herbs edition)
- Paleo Creamy Ginger Salad Dressing (Whole30, Keto)
- Paleo Thai Peanut Dressing (no peanuts, Whole30)
- Vietnamese Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
- More dressings and sauces here
If you give this Japanese-inspired creamy roasted sesame dressing a try, be sure to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your salad choices for this Creamy Paleo Japanese sesame dressing!
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Creamy Roasted Sesame Dressing (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 4 tbsp Paleo mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- ½ to 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp tahini
Instructions
- In a dry cast iron skillet, add the sesame seeds and toast over low heat for about 2-3 minutes. Stir the seeds often with a spatula or gently rock the skillet back-and-forth to keep the sesame from burning.
- Off heat, grind the seeds with a pestle and mortar (or a clean coffee grinder) until smooth.
- In a medium-size bowl, add all the ingredients from sesame seeds to tahini. Whisk and stir until creamy smooth. Taste and make seasoning adjustments to your own liking.
- For thinner texture, add ½ tbsp water a time until desired consistency.
Notes
- Store in the fridge. Best finish in 1 week.
- The texture will become thicker after refrigerated. Thin with more water.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Also check out these wonderful healthy salads and stir-fry greens:
- Paleo Asian Chicken Cabbage Salad
- Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce
- Snow Pea Leaves Stir-Fry
- Lemon Garlic Paleo Broccoli
- Paleo Creamed Spinach
- Sichuan Dry-Fried Green Beans
- Chinese Garlic Smashed Cucumber Salad
- Korean Mung Bean Sprouts Recipe
Love love this dressing!
Forgot to give it 5 stars.
Thank you!
This is absolutely amazing. I put it on the cabbage salad and everyone loves it. I have made it at least 10 times. I don’t change a thing! Thank you!!
I absolutely LOVE this dressing!!! My husband and I could drink it! My kids eat it! We cannot get enough of it!
Can you just use store bought roasted sesame seeds?
Yes that’s what I use but it’s best you pan roast them again to release the aroma. It makes a difference.
I love this dressing. It’s easy to make and full of flavor. Tastes great on salads, slaws, proteins or vegetables.
Thank you, Melissa!
SO delicious! Toasting the sesame seeds really added an extra depth in flavors. The dressing was easy to make and has such a rich yet versatile blend of ingredients. Will be a staple of mine g FB or sure!
So happy to hear. Thank you, Stephanie!
This dressing is amazing. I have prepared a jar every Sunday for the last 3 weeks and added it to salad greens for a quick, easy and very tasty side salad. My family and my friends love it!!
Thank you so much! You reminded me that I need to make another bottle of this dressing, too!
Love this salad dressing so much. It was creamy and rich. The toasted sesame flavor really comes through. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
We made this roasted sesame dressing! OMG it’s so creamy and flavorful and it’s gluten-free! It’ll be on our weekly meal prep rotations!
Is there a substitute for the mayo? My family does not like Paleo mayo or any type of mayo. Thanks! Can’t wait to try this!
Hi Neysa, This recipe is inspired by Japanese toasted sesame dressing and to keep the recipe as authentic as possible, the Japanese version uses Japanese mayo. Please feel free to visit my salad dressing and sauce archive where I have tons of dressings that use no mayo. https://iheartumami.com/category/category/paleo-salad-dressings/