Clear some room in your fridge, you’re about to make your new favorite salad dressing! This Goma dressing recipe is so rich in nutty and creamy flavor. It’s the perfect way to finish off a refreshing bowl of salad… Even non-salad enthusiasts (like me!) will be converted!
What is Goma Dressing?
Goma in Japanese means sesame. This popular dressing is bursting with deep and earthy flavors from the toasted sesame seeds. It’s the star ingredient and there’s nothing like it!
I’m not much of a salad eater, but when I do, I need an amazing dressing as an incentive to make it exciting. This Goma dressing recipe is it!
It’s garlicky, umami-filled, and tangy all at once - all the great qualities of an addicting salad dressing in my very humble opinion LOL.
Key Tips for This Nutty Goma Dressing Recipe
- Neutral Oil (Secret 2-for-1 Ingredient): The neutral oil in this recipe is used to thin out the dressing to your liking. More importantly, though, heating the oil to pour on top of the aromatics releases the ingredients’ natural oils for a more flavorful dressing! I highly recommend using neutral oils (my fave is grape seed) so it doesn’t overpower the flavor of the other ingredients.
- Key to Creaminess: To achieve a slightly sweet creaminess, I use Kewpie Japanese mayo. The main difference between Japanese and American mayo is that the former uses only yolks and is slightly sweeter. This produces an even richer creamy mayo!
- Toast for a Deep Nuttiness: Even though you can buy toasted sesame seeds, it makes a world of difference if you toast them again before making the dressing. You’ll get much deeper flavors that are earthy, smoky, and nutty. DO NOT skip this step!
- Grind Up Pure Flavor: For this recipe, I use a mortar and pestle to grind up all the ingredients. I LOVE using my mortar and pestle whenever I can. I noticed it blends all the ingredients together much more beautifully compared to when I’m simply mixing them together. This is the mortar and pestle I use.
Beyond Just Salad Dressing
I’ve been raving about how amazing this salad dressing is on top of lush greens, however, don’t stop just there! Bottle this liquid gold up because it’s also SO good on noodles, marinades, or dipping sauces. Yep, it’s EXTREMELY versatile!
Let's Get Cooking!
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Goma Dressing Recipe | Creamy Sesame Dressing
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons toasted white sesame seeds
- 1 - 2 tablespoons neutral oil* adjust to how thin you like your dressing
- 1 garlic grated
- ¼ teaspoon ginger grated
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon mirin
- 2 teaspoons low-sodium white miso paste
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil roasted
- 3 tablespoons Japanese mayo
Instructions
- Add sesame seeds to a dry pan and heat on medium-high. Toast sesame seeds for a couple of minutes, or until they turn slightly golden, then transfer them to a mortar. Keep the heat on the pan and add neutral oil to heat until it’s hot.
- Meanwhile, grind sesame seeds using the mortar and pestle until it’s coarsely ground.
- Add the remaining ingredients to a mortar except for the honey, sesame oil, & Kewpie Japanese mayo.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully pour oil into the mortar and allow the ingredients to sizzle.
- Mix in honey, sesame oil, & Kewpie Japanese mayo until creamy. Drizzle dressing over salad and enjoy!
Notes
- Neutral Oil: I highly recommend using a neutral oil, such as grapeseed, avocado, or vegetable oil, so it doesn't alter the flavor of the dressing.
- Miso Paste: Miso paste can be easily found at local Asian or Japanese markets in the refrigerated section. I prefer going for the low-sodium version so I have more control over the saltiness. If regular miso paste is only available, you can add a little less then add more miso or soy sauce if more salt is needed. Remember, it's easier to add more!
- Storage: Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container and mix well before using.
Nutrition
Exact calculations may vary. For the most accurate nutritional information, use your preferred nutrition calculator, actual ingredients, and quantities used for the recipe. Please consult with your physician or registered dietitian if more precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
HEY, I'M MIKHA!
...A fellow food lover who believes anyone can whip up a delicious meal - no matter your skill level! These quick & easy Asian recipes will help you transform simple ingredients into a drool-worthy meal for you & the people you love most - without spending all day in the kitchen.
Now come on - Grab a seat & let's eat!
Linda Noegroho
Amazing.. yummy
mikhaeats
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it Linda 🙂 Thanks for sharing!