Homemade Sesame Dressing for Salads and Marinades

This sesame dressing combines sautéed garlic, a touch of toasted sesame oil, bright apple cider vinegar, a hint of soy sauce, and maple syrup for a balanced sweet-savory vinaigrette. It’s an easy, versatile dressing that brightens hearty greens like kale or baby spinach, works as a quick chicken marinade, and doubles as a flavorful dip for rolls and appetizers.

Easy Sesame Dressing

This is a straightforward vinaigrette built on olive oil with a splash of sesame oil for aroma. Sauteeing the garlic first mellows its sharpness and adds depth—it’s a small extra step that makes a noticeable difference in flavor. Once the garlic is cooked and cooled slightly, combine it with the remaining ingredients, shake well, and you have a ready-to-use dressing.

For convenience, prepare the dressing directly in a mason jar or any lidded container so you can shake it vigorously to emulsify the ingredients. The following list covers the components you’ll need:

• Olive oil (base)
• Sesame oil (for toasty aroma)
• Garlic (sautéed)
• Salt (to taste)
• Apple cider vinegar (for acidity)
• Soy sauce (for umami and seasoning)
• Maple syrup (for mild sweetness)
• Red pepper flakes (optional heat)
• Dijon mustard (helps emulsify)

How to Use Sesame Dressing

This simple, healthy dressing is extremely versatile. Here are a few practical ideas for using it beyond salads:

• Salads: Toss with baby kale, spinach, or mixed greens. The savory-sweet balance pairs especially well with bitter greens like kale—massage the greens when using kale to soften the leaves and help them absorb the dressing.
• Marinade: Use the dressing to marinate chicken, tofu, or firm fish. Place protein in a glass or ceramic container, pour the dressing over, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cooking for better flavor penetration.
• Dip: Serve as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, egg rolls, dumplings, or raw vegetables. You can thicken it slightly with a touch more mustard or a small amount of Greek yogurt for a creamier dip.
• Pasta and Grain Salads: Use it to dress chilled noodle salads, soba, or grain bowls for an Asian-inspired finish. Toss cooked and cooled pasta or grains with chopped vegetables and a generous drizzle of the dressing.

Sesame Dressing (Recipe)

This recipe yields about 4 servings as a dressing. Prep and cook times are short, and it stores well refrigerated.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly minced
• Pinch of salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Heat a small pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sesame oil and warm until fragrant.
2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently so it softens and becomes fragrant but does not burn. Reduce the heat to low and let the garlic simmer gently for another 3–4 minutes to mellow its sharpness. Remove the pan from heat and allow the garlic and oil to cool slightly.
3. Once cooled, transfer the garlic and oil to a mason jar or lidded container. Add the salt, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, red pepper flakes (if using), and Dijon mustard. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the ingredients are well combined and slightly emulsified.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning—add a little more vinegar for brightness, a touch more maple syrup for sweetness, or extra soy sauce for saltiness and umami.

Tips & Notes

Storage: Store the dressing in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Because the dressing contains oil, it may solidify slightly when chilled; let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and shake or stir before using.

Variations: For a nuttier texture, stir in a teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds. If you prefer a tangier dressing, increase the apple cider vinegar to 1½ teaspoons. To make a thicker dip, whisk in a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or tahini.

Watch It

Video demonstration available showing the garlic sautéing step and the final shake in a jar for easy emulsification.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is an approximation.

• Calories: 142 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 15 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Sugar: 2 g