How I Developed This Recipe
This dressing brings together the bold taste of garlic with the aromatic notes of sesame oil.
I got the idea while I was at a supermarket in Japan, where I saw something similar on the shelves. I didn’t buy it at the time, but the idea stayed with me, and I decided to create my own version.
Just a heads-up about the garlic: Since this recipe uses freshly grated raw garlic, the flavor can be quite potent and spicy, depending on the variety you use. If you’re sensitive to garlic, feel free to reduce the amount called for in the recipe.
Key Ingredients & Substitution Ideas
- Olive oil & Toasted sesame oil: We start with a harmonious blend that forms the base of our dressing. This might seem like an unusual combination, but it works really well together.
- Rice vinegar: For a similar tang, you can substitute it with regular white vinegar or grain vinegar.
- Salt & Sugar: Since this is a no-cook dressing, I’d suggest using a fine-grain variety that dissolves easily at room temperature.
- Soy sauce: We specifically use dark soy sauce in this recipe.
- Garlic: The recipe is designed for medium-sized cloves. If you’re using larger cloves or particularly strong garlic varieties, just reduce the quantity a bit to make sure the other flavors don’t get overwhelmed.
- Katsuobushi (Bonito flakes): These dried, fermented skipjack tuna flakes are crushed before adding to infuse the dressing with authentic Japanese umami.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground is always best for maximum flavor, but pre-ground works too. White pepper makes an excellent substitute.
How to Store
This recipe has been designed to make a small batch that you can whip up fresh anytime. Raw garlic and oil don’t keep well for longer periods. If you increase the recipe and want to store leftovers, keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator and use it up within 3 days.
I hope you enjoy this Garlic Sesame Oil Dressing recipe! If you try it out, I’d really appreciate it if you could spare a moment to let me know what you thought by giving a review and star rating in the comments below. It’s also helpful to share any adjustments you made to the recipe with our other readers. Thank you!
More Dressing Recipes
- Japanese Style Carrot Dressing
- Sesame Dressing
- Miso Salad Dressing with Yuzu Juice
- Wafu Dressing (Soy Based Salad Dressing)
Hungry for more? Explore my salad dressing recipe collection to find your next favorite dishes!
Garlic and Sesame Oil Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove medium size
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
- ½ tbsp bonito flakes crushed into a powder (you can do this by crushing it in your hand)
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
Instructions
- Start by finely grating 1 garlic clove with a microplane grater or Japanese-style grater (oroshi-gane).
- Transfer the grated garlic to a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. Whisk until well combined. (Alternatively, add everything to a mason jar and shake until combined).
- Whisk or shake right before pouring and enjoy with your favorite salad!
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