Japanese Sesame Salad Dressing

Setsuko Yoshizuka/ Photo Credit: The Spruce

2 Servings

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons white sesame seeds
• 2 to 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon tamari sauce
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar, or granulated
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

• Put the sesame seeds in a frying pan and toast them over low heat. When 2 to 3 sesame seeds start popping, remove the pan from the heat.
• Grind the toasted sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle, food processor, or clean coffee grinder until a fine powder forms. Transfer to a bowl.
• Mix in the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil.

Tips

• The vinegar in this dressing may make it too sour for some. To play it safe, start with 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar and then taste the dressing before adding any more.
• Instead of toasting and grinding your own sesame seeds, you can also use store-bought ground sesame seeds, but the dressing may not have as rich of a sesame flavor.
• Enhance the taste of this dressing by using a 1/2 cup of virgin olive oil. Or sweeten it up with 2 tablespoons of mirin.
• If you prefer a creamier dressing, add 2 tablespoons of Follow Your Heart, soy-free veganaise. Or, pulse the mixture in a blender for 15 to 30 seconds until it’s thick and emulsified.
• Garlic and ginger can be added to spice up this recipe (add about a 1/2 teaspoon of each).