Oil | Vegan Vegetarian Gluten Free Paleo

Sesame Oil

Sesamum indicum Allergens: Sesame
sesame oil

Sourcing & Taxonomy

  • Family Pedaliaceae
  • Primary Cuisine East Asian
  • Seasonality Year-Round
  • Source Sesame Seeds

The Forktionary Angle

"Unlocking the Umami: Discover how sesame oil transforms ordinary dishes into extraordinary flavor experiences."

Definition

An edible vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds, prized for its distinctive nutty aroma and flavor, especially in Asian cuisines.

Sensory Profile

TasteNutty,Umami
TextureSmooth,Viscous
AromaToasted,Nutty,Earthy
AcidityLow

Technical Metrics

Antioxidant Content

Rich in sesamol & sesamin

Shelf Life (Opened)

6-12 months (refrigerated)

Smoke Point (Toasted)

~350°F (175°C)

Nutrition Facts

Per 1 tbsp (14g)
Calories900 kcal
Total Fat100 g
Saturated Fat14 g
Trans Fat0 g
Cholesterol0 mg
Protein0 g
Total Carbohydrate0 g
Dietary Fiber0 g
Total Sugars0 g
Calcium0 mg
Iron0 mg
Potassium0 mg

Chef’s Secret

Use toasted sesame oil sparingly as a finishing oil to add depth and aroma, reserving lighter sesame oil for cooking at higher temperatures.

Substitutions

Best Match

Peanut Oil

1:1

Offers a similar nutty flavor profile, suitable for stir-fries and dressings.

Walnut Oil

1:1

Has a distinct nutty flavor, best used in dressings or as a finishing oil.

Toasted Almond Oil

1:1

Provides a subtle nutty taste, good for dressings and light cooking.

Vegetable Oil + Toasted Sesame Seeds

1:1

To get some sesame flavor, toast seeds in a neutral oil like canola or grapeseed.

Buying Guide

Choose between light (unrefined) for cooking or dark (toasted) for finishing. Store in a cool, dark place.

Flavor Pairings

Stir-fries Noodles Dressings Marinades Roasted vegetables Asian dishes

Recipes Using Sesame Oil

Course Beginner Cook Cuisine Asian

I Stole The Idea From Mirj Sesame Noodles

Inspired by Mirj's famous Funky Chicken Sesame Noodles, this recipe puts a spicy twist on a classic! We've taken the irresistible sesame noodle base and amped up the flavor with a touch of red pepper flakes. Get ready for a quick, easy, and unbelievably delicious meal that's totally different yet undeniably similar to the original. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner and will quickly become a family favorite!

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Equipment Steak 3 Steps Or Less Equipment

Asian Beef Skewers

Fire up the grill for these irresistible Asian Beef Skewers! Inspired by a June 2006 Coup de Pouce recipe, this flavorful barbecue dish features tender beef cubes marinated in a zesty soy-ginger sauce, then grilled to perfection. Quick, easy, and bursting with authentic Asian flavors, these skewers are perfect for a weeknight dinner or a summer barbecue.

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Course Meat Main Ingredient Chicken

Asian Chicken Salad With Roasted Peanuts

Craving a vibrant and flavorful salad? This Asian Chicken Salad with Roasted Peanuts, inspired by Bon Appetit, is a quick and easy weeknight meal! Crispy roasted peanuts, juicy chicken, and a zesty ginger-cilantro dressing come together for a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. Get ready to impress your taste buds!

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Vegetables Course Main Dish 30 Minutes Or Less

Asian Flank Steak Stir Fry

Experience a taste of home with this vibrant Asian Flank Steak Stir-Fry! Tender flank steak is expertly seared and tossed in a savory, umami-rich sauce, then combined with crisp-tender vegetables and your choice of rice noodles or angel hair pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a satisfying weekend dinner. Find rice noodles in the Asian section of your grocery store, or easily substitute with angel hair pasta.

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Preparation Pasta Rice And Grains Low In Something Cuisine

Asian Noodles With Edamame

Quick and easy Asian noodle bowl bursting with fresh flavors! This vibrant recipe features tender noodles, sweet edamame, crunchy carrots, and a zesty soy-ginger dressing. Inspired by a Vegetarian Times recipe (Sept 2005), this updated version is perfect for a weeknight meal or a light lunch.

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Oven Occasion 60 Minutes Or Less Pork

Asian Pork Tenderloin

This Asian Pork Tenderloin recipe is a flavor explosion! Light, healthy, and incredibly tasty, it's perfect for a weeknight dinner. Juicy pork tenderloin gets glazed with a sweet and savory honey-soy marinade, then baked to perfection. Ready in under an hour, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite! #AsianPorkTenderloin #HealthyRecipe #PorkTenderloin #HoneySoy #WeeknightDinner

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3 Steps Or Less Salad Dressings 5 Ingredients Or Less Time To Make

Asian Salad Dressing Yum

Whip up this incredibly easy and delicious Asian salad dressing in just 10 minutes! Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a vibrant potluck contribution. Sweet, savory, and tangy, this dressing is guaranteed to elevate your salad game. Try it with chow mein noodles and mandarin oranges for an extra special treat!

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Time To Make Low Carb Time To Make Seafood

Asian Sesame Cod

Quick & easy Asian Sesame Cod recipe, ready in under 20 minutes! This flavorful dish features flaky cod fillets baked to perfection with a sweet and savory sesame sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.

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Pasta Rice And Grains Shellfish 3 Steps Or Less Course

Asian Shrimp And Pasta

A vibrant and flavorful Asian Shrimp Pasta recipe, inspired by Southern Living Magazine (May 2004). This quick and easy dish is perfect for seafood lovers! Enjoy succulent shrimp tossed in a zesty soy-ginger sauce with crunchy water chestnuts and fresh herbs over perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under an hour!

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Meat Chicken Meat Asian

Asian Style Ground Chicken And Noodles

This vibrant Asian-inspired noodle dish is ready in under 40 minutes! Tender ground chicken (or turkey!) is stir-fried with colorful veggies and tossed in a savory, tangy sauce. A quick and easy weeknight meal the whole family will love. Adapted from Ilanna Simon's "125 Best Ground Meat Recipes."

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Healthy Dietary Korean Easy

Aunt Lee's Oriental Noodles

A quick and easy, healthy, and flavorful Korean-inspired noodle dish! This family favorite recipe, passed down from Aunt Lee, is bursting with savory aromas and satisfying textures. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's perfect for a weeknight meal.

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Main Ingredient Chinese 60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make

Awesome Sesame Chicken

Craving that restaurant-quality sesame chicken? This recipe delivers! Inspired by a beloved about.com find, this easy-to-follow recipe is a family favorite, requested at least twice a month in our household. While it has several ingredients, the process is surprisingly simple and yields incredibly flavorful, crispy chicken in a luscious sesame sauce. Get ready to impress your taste buds!

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Beans Vegetarian Easy 60 Minutes Or Less

Baked Marinated Tofu

Elevate your tofu game with this incredible recipe from renowned food writer Joe Yonan! Freezing the tofu beforehand creates an unbelievably satisfying, crispy texture that absorbs the marinade perfectly. This recipe is quick, easy, and incredibly versatile. Enjoy it immediately as a hearty side dish, or add it to salads, stir-fries, and more! The secret? Freezing the tofu for maximum flavor and texture.

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Main Ingredient Pasta Rice And Grains Vegan Main Ingredient

Barbara's Chinese Noodle Salad

This easy Chinese noodle salad recipe, passed down from a dear friend, is a vibrant and flavorful side dish perfect for any meal! Its simple ingredients combine to create a delicious, refreshing taste sensation that complements numerous main courses. Try it alongside your favorite protein or as a light lunch – it's guaranteed to become a family favorite!

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4 Hours Or Less Vegan Free Of Something Soy Tofu

Bean Curd With Broccoli

Delight your taste buds with this vibrant and healthy vegetarian stir-fry! Tender bean curd and crisp-tender broccoli are tossed in a savory sauce of soy, sesame, and a touch of wine. Quick, easy, and bursting with flavor, this recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner.

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Cuisine 60 Minutes Or Less Kosher Inexpensive

Beef Stir Fry

This incredibly easy beef stir-fry recipe delivers an explosion of Asian flavors in just 45 minutes! Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this recipe is adaptable to your preferences. Use frozen veggies for ultimate speed, or showcase your favorite fresh produce. Swap beef for pork, chicken, tofu, or even mushrooms – the possibilities are endless! Add your favorite nuts, seafood, lamb, water chestnuts, or even clean out your vegetable drawer! This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

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Dietary Course Dinner Party Occasion

Dynasty Burger

Experience the explosive flavors of Asia with Martin Yan's Dynasty Burger! This quick and easy recipe delivers juicy, flavorful patties topped with a tangy hoisin barbecue sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun weekend cookout.

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Dietary Dietary Course Low Fat

Gingered Chicken

This light and quick gingered chicken recipe is ready in under 30 minutes! Perfectly tender chicken breasts are infused with zesty ginger and a touch of sweetness, making it a weeknight dinner winner. Broiled to juicy perfection, this recipe is a flavor explosion that's both healthy and satisfying.

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