Sweet Ginger Sesame Sauce (Oil-Free)
This oil-free, vegan sweet ginger sesame sauce offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors, making it ideal for salads, stir-fries, or marinades. Packed with fresh ginger and sesame seeds, it’s a healthy, flavorful addition to any plant-based dish!
This sweet ginger sauce has so many uses. I like to use it in stir-fries and to season a rice bowl. It can even be used as a dipping sauce or marinade. More recently, I found out it makes a great salad dressing as well.
We have more umami-flavored sauces on this website like my easy miso sauce in minutes, this oil-free teriyaki sauce, and our easy vegan stir-fry sauce.
Reasons you will love this sauce
- Healthy and Low-Fat: This oil-free sauce offers all the flavor without added fats, making it a nutritious option for those looking to cut down on calories while still enjoying delicious meals.
- Bold and Balanced Flavor: The perfect blend of sweet, tangy ginger and nutty sesame creates a mouthwatering, well-balanced sauce that elevates any dish from salads to stir-fries.
- Quick and Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients, this vegan sauce can be whipped up in minutes, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Versatile and Adaptable: Whether you’re looking for a salad dressing, marinade, or dip, this sauce is versatile enough to complement a wide range of dishes, adding a burst of flavor to any dish.
Ingredients you will need
Making your own healthy oil-free sauces is really quite simple. The taste of the homemade stuff really trumps the bottled stuff. Try using this sauce to make my Vegan Dumplings recipe!
- Sesame seeds- Toasted sesame seeds add a deep, nutty flavor and enhance the overall richness of sweet ginger sesame sauce, giving it a more complex and satisfying taste. They also provide a pleasant crunch and boost the visual appeal of the dish.
- Tahini– Adds a creamy, rich texture to sweet ginger sesame sauce while enhancing the nutty flavor of the sesame seeds. It helps create a smooth, well-balanced sauce that complements the sweet and tangy elements, making the sauce more indulgent and versatile.
- Garlic- Creates a savory, aromatic depth to sweet ginger sesame sauce, balancing the sweetness with its bold, slightly spicy flavor.
- Ginger- Brings a zesty, vibrant kick to sweet ginger sesame sauce, adding a bold, spicy warmth that balances the sweetness. Its natural flavor elevates the sauce’s complexity and freshness, making it more dynamic and aromatic.
- Soy sauce- Adds a savory, umami richness to sweet ginger sesame sauce, balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall depth of flavor. Its salty, complex notes help tie together the ginger and sesame, creating a well-rounded, flavorful sauce.
- Sweetener- Honey or agave adds a natural sweetness to sweet ginger sesame sauce, balancing the tangy and savory flavors. Both sweeteners also help create a smooth texture and enhance the overall depth of the sauce without overpowering its fresh, bold ingredients.
How to make sweet ginger sesame sauce
The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.
STEP #1: Begin by toasting sesame seeds by placing them in a dry frying pan and heating them on medium-high heat for just a few minutes.
They will begin to turn a golden brown and start popping up out of the pan. Do not leave the pan unattended because it will burn quickly.
Once the seeds are lightly browned, remove them from the heat and pour them into a small mixing bowl.
STEP #2: Peel and grate fresh ginger root. Though ground ginger can be substituted in this recipe, I feel that fresh ginger is what really makes the taste pop.
Sometimes, I freeze whole unpeeled ginger pieces in a freezer bag to keep it on hand for dishes like this one. It’s so nice to always have it ready to pull out and defrost quickly.
STEP #3: Mince up the garlic. Personally, I like to use a garlic press for this. I used to mince my garlic up with a knife or just use the store-bought jar variety. However, over time, I realized that using a press brings out the best and freshest flavor in recipes.
STEP #4: Add all the ingredients to the bowl with the toasted sesame seeds and whisk everything together well.
STEP #5: This sweet umami sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in stir-fries, as a marinade for plant-based proteins like tofu, to season veggie poke bowls, or as a delicious salad dressing. Its rich flavor elevates any dish, making it a must-have in your kitchen!
*Originally published December 2014.
Sauce recipe adapted from mydarlingvegan.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, toasting the seeds brings out the flavor. If you don’t toast them first, you’ll really miss out on it.
Yes! You can easily adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sweetener, like maple syrup or agave, to suit your taste preference.
If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can add a small amount of cornstarch or arrowroot powder dissolved in water and heat the sauce gently to thicken it.
Absolutely! For extra heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes, sriracha, or fresh chili to give the sauce a spicy kick.
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days.
More Oil-Free Umami Sauces
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Sweet Ginger Sesame Sauce
Ingredients
Instructions
- Begin by toasting some sesame seeds by placing them in a dry frying pan and heating on medium-high heat for just a few minutes. They will begin to turn a golden brown and start popping up out of the pan. Do not leave the pan unattended because it will burn quickly.
- Once the seeds are lightly browned, remove them from the heat and pour them into a small mixing bowl.
- Next, peel and grate fresh ginger root. Though ground ginger can be substituted in this recipe, I feel that fresh ginger is what really makes the taste pop.
- Mince the garlic. Personally, I like to use a garlic press for this. I used to mince my garlic up with a knife or just use the store-bought jar variety. However, over time, I realized that using a press brings out the best and freshest flavor in recipes.
- Add all the ingredients to the bowl with the toasted sesame seeds and whisk everything together well.
- It can be used in stir-fries, as a marinade for plant-based proteins like tofu, to season veggie poke bowls or as a delicious salad dressing. Its rich flavor elevates any dish, making it a must-have in your kitchen!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
hi Terri
Stunning! I left out the sweetener, I actually forgot, it was AWESOME.
thank you terri!!I
I’ve been a vegan chef forever.
so refreshing seeing what you post. your flavors and the way you write is beautiful
thank you
Teree
Hi Teree- Thank you, and I’m so glad that the recipe turned out well for you even without the sweetener. That’s awesome!
Left out the oil also and used a bit of Tahini. So tasteful, So good.
Thank you, we will eat more Tofu!
That’s terrific to hear! So glad that you enjoyed the recipe. We love tofu too!
This sauce rocks! This will definitely be a staple in my house now. I used it to marinate tofu (set it aside), and stir-fried some broccoli and carrots. Then, I added the tofu back to the pan and topped everything with the sauce. So delicious!
I left out the oil and tahini. It is delicious!!