To cook with sesame oil, use dark toasted sesame oil as a finishing drizzle added off the heat, and save lighter raw sesame oil for gentle frying. Its bold, nutty flavor works beautifully in stir-fries, noodles, dressings and Asian soups, where just a few drops transform the whole dish. Below you will find 19 vegan recipes that put sesame oil to delicious use, from sticky garlic tofu to silky soba noodles.
How to Choose and Use Sesame Oil
To choose the right sesame oil, match the type to the job: light, raw sesame oil suits gentle frying, while dark toasted sesame oil is a finisher, not a high-heat frying oil. Toasted sesame oil carries an intense, nutty flavor, so add it in the last moments of cooking or drizzle it over the finished dish off the heat. A little goes a long way, so start with a teaspoon and taste. For the best value and freshness, buy it from Asian grocers, store it away from light, and keep an open bottle in the fridge.
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Stir-Fries and Noodles With Sesame Oil
This is sesame oil in its element, drizzled over hot noodles and stir-fries right at the end for that signature toasty aroma.
Vegan Stir-Fry With “Chicken” and Noodles
Crisp-tender vegetables, chewy noodles and plant-based chicken come together in a glossy, savory stir-fry that shows off sesame oil at its best. A few drops added right at the end give the whole dish that unmistakable nutty, toasty aroma. Tip: drizzle the toasted sesame oil after you kill the heat so it perfumes the noodles without turning bitter.
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Macrobiotic Stir Fry With Veggies and Brown Rice
This wholesome bowl layers colorful seasonal vegetables over nutty brown rice for a balanced, grounding meal. A light hand of sesame oil ties the flavors together and keeps everything tasting clean and satisfying. Tip: cook the brown rice a day ahead so it firms up and stir-fries without going mushy in the pan.
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Vegan Garlic Noodles
Silky noodles tossed in a punchy, buttery garlic sauce make this a fast weeknight favorite. Sesame oil rounds out the garlic with a warm, roasted depth that makes the whole bowl taste like takeout. Tip: mince the garlic finely and soften it gently so it turns sweet instead of sharp before the noodles go in.
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Thai Peanut Noodles
Creamy peanut sauce clings to every strand in this crave-worthy Thai-inspired bowl, balanced with lime, soy and a swirl of sesame oil. It works warm or chilled, which makes it a brilliant lunch to prep ahead. Tip: loosen the peanut sauce with a splash of warm water if it thickens up after sitting in the fridge.
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Soba Noodles With Mushrooms and Miso-Lime Sauce
Earthy buckwheat soba meets meaty mushrooms and a bright miso-lime sauce for a light yet deeply savory plate. Toasted sesame oil in the dressing brings a nutty backbone that plays off the tangy lime. Tip: rinse the cooked soba under cold water to wash off surface starch and keep the noodles springy.
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Tofu and Asian Mains
Sesame oil works magic in marinades and glossy sauces, adding roasted depth to tofu and vegetable mains.
Sticky Asian Garlic Tofu
Golden cubes of tofu get coated in a glossy, sticky garlic sauce that hits sweet, salty and savory all at once. A finishing drop of sesame oil deepens the sauce and makes it smell irresistible. Tip: press the tofu well and pan-fry until crisp so the sauce clings to each piece instead of sliding off.
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Vegan Mapo Tofu
Soft tofu simmers in a bold, spicy Sichuan-style sauce full of umami and a gentle numbing heat. Sesame oil stirred in at the finish adds a fragrant, toasty layer that lifts the entire dish. Tip: add the sesame oil off the heat right before serving so its aroma stays vivid and does not scorch.
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Tofu Banh Mi
A crackly baguette stuffed with marinated tofu, quick-pickled vegetables and fresh herbs delivers the full Vietnamese banh mi experience. A little sesame oil in the tofu marinade adds a nutty note that balances the tangy pickles. Tip: pickle the carrots and daikon at least an hour ahead so they turn bright and crunchy.
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Chinese Eggplant With Garlic Sauce
Meltingly tender eggplant soaks up a savory-sweet garlic sauce in this Chinese takeout classic made at home. Sesame oil finishes the pan and gives the sauce its signature roasted fragrance. Tip: salt the eggplant briefly before cooking to draw out moisture so it turns silky rather than spongy.
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Vegan California Roll (Tofu Uramaki)
Creamy avocado, crisp cucumber and seasoned rice roll up into a plant-based take on the beloved California roll. A touch of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds add nutty depth to every bite. Tip: keep a bowl of water nearby to wet your hands and knife so the sticky rice stays easy to handle.
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Soups, Tempura and Light Frying
From a fragrant drizzle over ramen to a nutty note in the frying oil, these dishes lean on both types of sesame oil.
Vegan Ramen
A steaming bowl of vegan ramen brings together springy noodles, a rich savory broth and your favorite toppings. A drizzle of toasted sesame oil right before serving adds that restaurant-style aroma you crave. Tip: add the sesame oil to the bowl rather than the pot so its fragrance hits you at the very first spoonful.
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Vegetarian Tempura
Crisp, lacy tempura batter turns everyday vegetables into an airy, golden treat. A little lighter raw sesame oil blended into the frying oil lends a subtle nutty flavor without overpowering the delicate crunch. Tip: keep the batter ice-cold and slightly lumpy for the crispiest, lightest coating.
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Yellow Split Pea Patties
Hearty yellow split peas and tofu form savory patties with a crisp, golden crust and a tender middle. A sesame coating and a hint of sesame oil in the pan give them a nutty, toasty edge. Tip: chill the shaped patties for fifteen minutes before frying so they hold together neatly in the pan.
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Dressings, Sauces and Sesame Finishers
A splash of sesame oil is the secret behind Asian-style dressings, dipping sauces and nutty toppings.
5 Best Easy Stir-Fry Sauces
Five quick, Asian-inspired stir-fry sauces mean you will never run out of ways to flavor noodles, tofu or vegetables. Sesame oil appears again and again here as the finishing note that pulls each sauce together. Tip: batch and refrigerate the sauces in sealed jars so a fast weeknight dinner is only a stir-fry away.
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Vegan Salad Dressings
A handful of easy vegan dressings turn a plain bowl of greens into something you actually look forward to. Whisk a little toasted sesame oil with rice vinegar for the simplest Asian-style dressing in the bunch. Tip: shake the dressings in a sealed jar to emulsify them quickly without reaching for a whisk.
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Spinach Salad With Tahini Dressing
Fresh baby spinach gets a creamy, nutty lift from a lemony tahini dressing in this quick, nourishing salad. Since tahini is pure sesame, a few drops of sesame oil in the dressing double down on that toasty flavor. Tip: thin the tahini with cold water gradually until the dressing turns pourable and silky.
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How to Make Gomasio (Sesame Salt)
Gomasio is a simple Japanese sesame salt made from toasted sesame seeds and a pinch of sea salt, perfect for sprinkling over rice and grain bowls. It is the purest way to taste sesame in all its nutty glory. Tip: toast the seeds low and slow until fragrant, then grind them only lightly to keep some texture.
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More Ways With Sesame: Seeds and Tahini
Sesame shows up as seeds and creamy tahini too, from studded flatbreads to smoky Middle Eastern dips.
Gluten-Free Sesame Flatbreads
These soft, pan-cooked flatbreads need just five ingredients and come studded with sesame seeds for a nutty crunch. Brush them with a little sesame oil as they cook for extra flavor and a glossy finish. Tip: cook them on a hot dry pan first, then add the oil so they puff before they crisp up.
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Marinated Eggplant Hummus
Silky hummus meets smoky marinated eggplant in this Middle Eastern-inspired dip loaded with sesame-rich tahini. A swirl of sesame oil on top before serving adds aroma and a glossy sheen. Tip: reserve a few pieces of marinated eggplant to spoon over the top for texture and a pretty serving flourish.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does sesame oil taste like? Toasted sesame oil has a deep, nutty, roasted flavor that is intense and aromatic, while raw sesame oil is much lighter and more subtle. A few drops of the toasted kind are enough to flavor an entire dish, so use it sparingly.
Can you cook with sesame oil on high heat? Toasted sesame oil is best used as a finishing oil rather than for high-heat frying, since its delicate flavor turns bitter and burnt when overheated. Raw, untoasted sesame oil has a higher smoke point and handles light frying far better.
What is the difference between sesame oil and toasted sesame oil? Sesame oil is pressed from raw seeds and is pale with a mild taste, while toasted sesame oil is made from roasted seeds and is darker with a richer, nuttier flavor. Use the raw type for cooking and the toasted type for finishing.
What dishes go well with sesame oil? Sesame oil shines in stir-fries, noodle bowls, ramen and Asian soups, salad dressings and marinades. It is typically added at the very end of cooking or drizzled on top so its aroma stays bright and vivid.
Why is sesame oil so expensive? Sesame seeds are often hand-harvested and it takes a large amount of seeds to press a small bottle, which drives up the price. Buying from Asian or ethnic grocers is usually cheaper than the regular supermarket.
How should you store sesame oil? Keep sesame oil in a cool, dark cupboard away from heat and light, and refrigerate it once opened to slow down rancidity. A well-stored bottle holds its nutty aroma for many months.
