Goma dressing is a staple salad dressing in Japan, known for its rich flavor and aroma of sesame seeds. Not only is it delicious, but it is also highly nutritious—and once you try it, you might find yourself hooked.
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What is Goma Dressing?
Goma Dressing is a Japanese salad dressing made from ground sesame seeds or sesame paste, mixed with oil and vinegar. "Goma" means sesame in Japanese. The sesame seeds are ground into a powder or paste before use, which gives the dressing a creamy texture. For an even creamier consistency, Japanese mayonnaise is often added.
While there are many different types of salad dressings in Japan, this dressing is considered one of the most popular options. It can be prepared quickly and easily using store-bought ground sesame seeds or sesame paste. Alternatively, to fully enjoy their rich, nutty flavor, you can toast and grind the sesame seeds yourself.
Why sesame seeds are a nutritional powerhouse
The key ingredient in this dressing, sesame seeds, is known not only for their delightful flavor but also for their high nutritional value.
They contain sesame lignans, vitamins B1 and B2, calcium, iron, and magnesium, all packed into each tiny seed. These nutrients can help lower bad cholesterol, improve liver function, and promote youthful skin.
For this reason, sesame seeds are a healthy addition that you should consider including in your daily diet. Since they are better absorbed by the body when ground, goma dressing made with ground sesame seeds (or sesame paste) is an ideal and delicious way to enjoy their nutritional benefits.
Toasting sesame seeds to enhance flavor
Goma dressing can be made simply by mixing ground sesame seeds (or sesame paste) with other ingredients. If you want to prepare it quickly, it is highly recommended to use store-bought pre-ground sesame seeds (or sesame paste). However, I believe it truly shines when the sesame seeds are freshly toasted.
Whether you are using raw or pre-toasted sesame seeds, try to toast (or re-toast) them in a pot or pan. Even a short toasting time can significantly enhance their flavor. It is important to stop toasting once you notice their nutty aroma, as sesame seeds burn easily—and when they do, they can become bitter.
After toasting, to prevent burning from residual heat, immediately transfer them to a mortar or food processor for the next step.
Grinding toasted sesame seeds to a smooth consistency
Once toasted, the sesame seeds should be ground to a smooth consistency. The flavor of goma dressing can vary significantly depending on how finely you grind them.
Leaving them coarsely ground allows you to enjoy the crunchy texture of the sesame seeds, but their richness won’t be as pronounced. Thoroughly grinding the sesame seeds brings out a more intense flavor. As you continue grinding, their color darkens and the texture becomes smooth. I recommend grinding them to this point.
The flavor of this dressing—made with sesame seeds ground to a smooth consistency—is exceptional, so be sure to give it a try.
📋Step-by-step recipe
Equipment
- a mortar and pestle (or a food processor)
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp raw or toasted white sesame seeds (For easier preparation, you can use pre-ground white sesame seeds or sesame paste instead. If using either of these, start from step 3).
- 1 Tbsp untoasted sesame oil (can be substituted with toasted sesame oil or a neutral oil)
- 1 tsp Japanese mayonnaise (such as Kewpie Mayo; 0.18 oz/5 g per 1 tsp. For a homemade version, please refer to the linked article.)
- ¼ tsp sugar
- ½ tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp soy sauce
Instructions
🕒 Total: 10 mins
Step 1
If using raw sesame seeds: Put the sesame seeds in a pot or pan and toast them over low heat. Shake the pot (or pan) constantly to prevent burning until a few seeds start to pop. This should take about 5-10 minutes.
If using pre-toasted sesame seeds: Put the sesame seeds in a pot or pan and toast them over very low heat. Shake the pot (or pan) constantly to prevent burning until you notice a nutty aroma. This should take only a few minutes.
Step 2
Immediately transfer the toasted sesame seeds to a mortar (or food processor) to prevent burning from residual heat, and grind them until they darken slightly and develop a smooth texture.
Step 3
In a bowl, thoroughly mix the ground sesame seeds with the other ingredients: sesame oil, Japanese mayonnaise, sugar, rice vinegar, and soy sauce.
To store
You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Cooking tips
When toasting sesame seeds, avoid using nonstick cookware. Sesame seeds are so tiny that heating them in such a pan or pot is almost like heating an empty one, which could potentially release harmful chemicals.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think. Please consider leaving a review and star rating in the comments below. If you enjoyed it, I’d really appreciate it if you shared it with your friends.
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Recipe card
Goma Dressing (Creamy Japanese Sesame Salad Dressing)
Equipment
- a mortar and pestle (or a food processor)
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp raw or toasted white sesame seeds (For easier preparation, you can use pre-ground white sesame seeds or sesame paste instead. If using either of these, start from step 3).
- 1 Tbsp untoasted sesame oil (can be substituted with toasted sesame oil or a neutral oil)
- 1 tsp Japanese mayonnaise (such as Kewpie Mayo; 0.18 oz/5 g per 1 tsp. For a homemade version, please refer to the linked article.)
- ¼ tsp sugar
- ½ tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp soy sauce
Instructions
- If using raw sesame seeds: Put the sesame seeds in a pot or pan and toast them over low heat. Shake the pot (or pan) constantly to prevent burning until a few seeds start to pop. This should take about 5-10 minutes.If using pre-toasted sesame seeds: Put the sesame seeds in a pot or pan and toast them over very low heat. Shake the pot (or pan) constantly to prevent burning until you notice a nutty aroma. This should take only a few minutes.
- Immediately transfer the toasted sesame seeds to a mortar (or food processor) to prevent burning from residual heat, and grind them until they darken slightly and develop a smooth texture.
- In a bowl, thoroughly mix the ground sesame seeds with the other ingredients: sesame oil, Japanese mayonnaise, sugar, rice vinegar, and soy sauce.
Notes
- You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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