Roasted Sesame Dressing Recipe

A glass jar filled with creamy brown tahini, reminiscent of Creamy Roasted Sesame Dressing, sits on a wooden surface beside a yellow cloth and a spoon with tahini. An open jar and a white pitcher are in the background.

5 from 12 votes

Roasted Sesame Dressing Recipe

Creamy, nutty, and umami-packed, this roasted sesame dressing comes together in 10 minutes—perfect for salads, noodles, tofu, grilled meats, and more. Makes 3/4 cup.

Prep Time5

Cook Time5

Total Time10

Course: dressing, sauce

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: Goma Dressing, Japanese sesame dressing, roasted sesame dressing

Servings: tbsp

Author: ChihYu Smith

Ingredients

3 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
4 tbsp kewpie mayo
1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
1.5 tbsp light soy sauce
½ tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp mirin
1 tsp coconut brown sugar
1-2 tsp tahini
⅛ tsp shiitake mushroom seasoning

US - Metric

Instructions

In a dry cast iron skillet, add the sesame seeds. Shift the pan back and forth to dry roast the seeds over low heat until you can smell the toasty aroma, about 2–3 minutes.
Transfer the seeds to a mortar and pestle. Hand grind until they turn into a coarse powder. Set aside.
In a mixing cup, add the rest of the ingredients from mayo to shiitake seasoning. Stir and whisk until well combined and the texture is creamy and smooth.
Add the ground sesame seeds and stir again. The sauce will thicken slightly as the sesame seeds soak up the dressing.
For a thinner sauce, add ½ tablespoon water at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
For the best flavor, use it right away for maximum freshness. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The sauce will continue to thicken over time.

Notes

Roasting sesame seeds: Shifting the pan constantly helps prevent the sesame seeds from burning during the dry roast. This step activates their nutty aroma.
Consistency after refrigeration: I personally haven’t experienced separation after refrigerating. If it does happen, just whisk the dressing again until smooth.
Can I use a different mayo? For the authentic flavor of Kewpie roasted sesame dressing—just like the store-bought—you’ll want to use Kewpie mayo. It’s made with egg yolks and includes rice vinegar and MSG (monosodium glutamate), which gives the flavor that extra pop.
If you don’t have mirin, substitute it with a touch of sugar (or more to taste). Mirin adds a mild sweetness and a subtle fermented rice flavor that gives the dressing more depth.
To scale this dressing, use a ratio of 2 ½ parts mayo to 1 part rice vinegar and 1 part soy sauce. For example, that’s 5 tablespoons mayo, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and 2 tablespoons soy sauce.

Nutrition