Dinner

Asian Sesame Dressing Recipe

Name: Asian Sesame Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil; 1/4 cup white vinegar (adjust to taste for sharpness); 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 tbsp sugar (any type) or 1 1/2 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tsp toasted sesame oil; 1 tbsp white vinegar; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp sugar (any type) or 1 1/2 tsp honey

BySana Jeannette December 25, 2025December 25, 2025

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Introduction

This Asian Sesame Dressing is a flavorful and versatile sauce that brings a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet notes. It’s quick to make and ideal for salads, shredded cabbage, or leafy greens, adding a delicious Asian-inspired twist to your meals.

A close-up view of shredded salad with three layers: the bottom layer is white cabbage strips, the middle layer is orange carrot strips mixed with more white cabbage, and the top layer has both white cabbage and purple cabbage strands. A golden brown dressing is being poured from a clear glass bottle onto the salad. A woman's hand holds the bottle over the salad, and the salad is in a white bowl set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp toasted sesame oil

1/4 cup white vinegar (adjust to taste for sharpness)
1/4 cup olive oil

1 tbsp sugar (any type) or 1 1/2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp soy sauce

2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp sugar (any type) or 1 1/2 tsp honey

Instructions

Step 1: Place all the ingredients into a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid.
Step 2: Shake well until the sugar is fully dissolved and the dressing is well combined.

Step 3: Taste and adjust saltiness with a little salt or additional soy sauce, and sweetness with more sugar or honey, according to your preference.
Step 4: Store the dressing in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Before using, bring to room temperature and shake well again.
Step 5: Use about 1 tablespoon of dressing per packed cup of shredded vegetables or 2 teaspoons per handful of leafy greens. This amount will serve 3 to 4 people.

Tips & Variations

For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast sesame seeds and sprinkle them on top of your dressed salad.
Replace white vinegar with rice vinegar for a milder, more delicate tang.
Adjust the sweetness using honey or your preferred sugar to balance the sharpness of the vinegar.

Add a teaspoon of grated ginger or minced garlic for extra depth and aroma.

Storage

Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Always shake well before each use as the oils and vinegar will naturally separate. Bring to room temperature for best flavor and consistency before serving.

How to Serve

A large light wooden bowl with a white band around the middle is filled with a colorful shredded salad. The salad has thin orange carrot strips as the main base, mixed with some thin white cabbage strips and bright purple cabbage pieces scattered on top. There are small bits of fried shallots or onions adding texture throughout the salad. Two wooden spatulas with white handles are placed inside the bowl, partially buried in the salad. In the background, a woman's hand is holding a dark bottle, with a white marbled surface underneath the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use this dressing for more than just salads?

Yes, this dressing works great as a marinade for grilled meats or tofu, a dipping sauce for dumplings, or drizzled over steamed vegetables.

How can I make the dressing less salty?

You can reduce the soy sauce slightly and balance the flavor with extra olive oil or a splash of water. Adding a bit more honey or sugar can also help mellow the saltiness.