Sesame Sauce

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: Asian

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 5

Servings: people

Calories: 87kcal

Author: Platings and Pairings

Japanese Sesame Sauce is a creamy and nutty condiment you can pair with salads, hot pot, noodles, gyoza, stir fry, vegetables, and more! An easy 8-ingredient recipe that’s ready in just 5 minutes.

Print Recipe

Equipment

Small Bowl
Whisk

Ingredients

1/3 cup tahini or Japanese sesame paste (neri goma)
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
1/2 Tablespoon dashi from a packet
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 Tablespoons water plus more, as needed
Salt to taste
Sesame seeds for topping

Instructions

Add the tahini, soy sauce, vinegar, dashi and sesame oil and water to a small bowl and whisk well to combine.
Note that the sauce may clump up initially. This is where you’ll add additional water slowly, until the sauce thins out and becomes smooth (I ended up adding an additional 2 TBSP).
Season with salt, to taste. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Enjoy.

Notes

Storing

Store leftover Japanese sesame sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Stir well before each use.

Tips and tricks

If your tahini is very thick, give it a good stir before adding it to the sauce, or quickly blend it in a blender to emulsify it once again.
The tahini may cause the sauce to clump up at first but that’s okay! Just whisk in 2 tablespoons of water at a time until the sauce reaches a smooth consistency.
Let the sauce rest for at least 15 to 20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to get to know each other and become even tastier.
Don’t be afraid to customize this sesame sauce recipe! There are plenty of flavor boosters and mix-ins you can add to play with the flavors and textures, like fresh herbs, citrus zest, minced garlic, grated ginger, or Japanese ingredients such as wasabi, Japanese seven-spice blend, or miso.

Nutrition