If you've ever "accidentally" gone through a giant bottle of that creamy sesame dressing from Costco in record time... because same. This Japanese roasted sesame dressing is rich, nutty, slightly sweet, and completely delicious. And the best part? It tastes exactly like the iconic Kewpie version!
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Looking for more easy ways to boost flavor with simple pantry ingredients? Be sure to check out my other kitchen staple sauces like my homemade teriyaki sauce, garlic parmesan sauce, or my famous homemade honey garlic sauce. These sauces pair perfectly with home-baked chicken wings, chicken and rice bowls, and my honey hot chicken salad is a must-make!
Why You'll Love This Sauce
- It tastes just like the store-bought Kewpie version (except maybe better 👀), and it is super easy to make at home with just a few easy ingredients.
- This roasted sesame dressing is ready in under 5 minutes and perfect to serve on burrito bowls, noodles, salads, and salmon rice bowls.
- Toasted sesame sauce packs major flavor, and it is enhanced even further by toasting the sesame seeds before adding them to the sauce.
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Kewpie Mayonnaise - This can be substituted for regular mayo, but you will lose some of the umami flavor.
- Tahini - Is an optional ingredient, but highly recommended to get that deep, sesame flavor. Tahini is extremely easy to make at home, just blend toasted sesame seeds in a food processor until they have a peanut butter like texture (you will have to blend a large volume of sesame seeds depending on how large your food processor is).
- Maple Syrup - Can be substituted for honey or sugar.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - Any type of vinegar can be used. We used apple cider in this recipe to give the sauce a slightly sweetened taste.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds - Is it essential to toast the sesame seeds? No... but toasting sesame seeds literally takes 5 minutes, and by doing so, they develop a much deeper flavor.
A full list of ingredients with exact quantities can be found on the recipe card below.
Ways To Use
- Chicken, Beef, and Salmon - Japanese roasted sesame sauce pairs beautifully with almost any protein. Pair it with luciously smooth velveted chicken, crispy barbecue roast chicken, salmon filets, or steaks.
- Vegetables - Another superb pairing is pouring this sesame sauce over roasted vegetables like this crispy broccoli or garlic kalettes.
- Use As A Marinade - This toasted sesame sauce can also be used as a marinade and works especially well on chicken, pork, and salmon. Cover the meat with the prepared sauce and let it marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator. Grill or bake the meat until fully cooked. Be sure to dispose of any marinade that has come in contact with raw meat.
- Use It As A Dip - Use the sesame sauce as a dip for veggies, dumplings, homemade French fries, and more!
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How To Make Roasted Sesame Dressing
Step 1
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine Kewpie mayo, toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, and tahini.
Step 2
Using a fork, whisk, or a spoon, stir the sauce until completely smooth and all ingredients are combined.
Step 3
Transfer roasted sesame dressing to a serving bowl or jar and serve over chicken rice bowls, with roasted broccoli, as a dipping sauce for shredded chicken or on some delicious homemade chicken wings.
Expert Tips For Best Results
- Toast the sesame seeds, or buy toasted sesame seeds from the store. Trust me, the added flavor the toasted sesame seeds give this sauce is unmatched.
- Let the sesame dressing sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to let the flavors fully mingle and develop.
How To Store
Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake or stir before using to recombine the sesame seeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
A creamy blend of toasted sesame seeds, tahini, mayonnaise, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sweetener, and sesame oil. You can add roasted garlic or miso for depth, if preferred.
Yes! "Goma dressing" refers to Japanese sesame dressing, and Kewpie's version is a popular bottled brand of it.
Over-toasted sesame seeds or too much sesame oil can create bitterness. Use lightly toasted, golden brown sesame seeds and a high-quality sesame oil for the best results.
Grinding toasted sesame seeds makes tahini. I use both freshly toasted sesame seeds and tahini in this recipe. Grinding releases oils and creates a signature creamy texture (tahini), and if you ask me, both whole and ground sesame seeds have a place in this recipe. For a fully smooth sauce, you can grind the toasted sesame seeds or blend the sauce with a high-powered blender to break down the seeds.
Technically, yes. You could use Greek yogurt, although you will lose a lot of the flavor.
More Sauce Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Japanese Roasted Sesame Dressing (Kewpie Copycat)
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeEquipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
- ½ cup Kewpie Mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 2 teaspoons Tahini optional
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add Kewpie mayonnaise, toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, and tahini (if using). Using a whisk or a fork, whisk the dressing until all of the ingredients are combined and the sauce is smooth.
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Notes
- Kewpie Mayonnaise: Can be swapped for regular mayo, but some flavor will be sacrificed.
- Tahini: Optional but recommended for a stronger sesame flavour.
- Maple Syrup: You can use regular sugar or honey instead.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Can be substituted for rice vingear or white wine vinegar.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: Can be purchased at almost any grocery store or made in minutes at home.
- Use As A Marinade: This dressing works well with chicken, pork, or salmon as a marinade. Cover the meat with the prepared sauce and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Grill or bake the protein until fully cooked and dispose of any sauce that came in contact with raw meat.
- Use roasted sesame sauce as a marinade, dipping sauce, or drizzle it on salads, noodles, and rice bowls.
- Let the dressing sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to let the flavors fully develop.
- Store leftover sesame dressing in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake or stir before serving.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Jessica says
I developed this recipe when we fell in love with this version from Costco. It is a seasonal dressing, and as soon as I couldn't find it on the shelves anymore, I knew I had to recreate it at home and make my own version! This sesame sauce is literally to die for!