How to Cook with Sesame Oil Every Night of the Week
This aromatic oil makes everything better.
Chantell Quernemoen
Sesame oil might not be a staple in your pantry, and we can't help but wonder WHY? A little goes a long way in giving your favorite dishes — think salmon, pasta and even vegetables — an irresistible, nutty flavor. And we'd be remiss if we didn't mention it'll make your kitchen smell like a 5-star restaurant while you're cooking, too.
Ginger-Glazed Salmon (pictured above)
Molly Yeh's sweet and sticky glaze for this crowd-pleasing recipe comes together with pantry items you shouldn't be without. The finished dish is impressive enough for a holiday table yet so easy that you could serve it on a busy weeknight.
Peanut butter often gets all the credit for making peanut noodles so absolutely craveworthy. But just a teaspoon of sesame oil gives the dish another level of nutty flavor that will have everyone at the table coming back for seconds.
Teri Lyn Fisher
The biggest flavor booster in this chicken marinade is — surprise, surprise — its namesake sesame oil. Simply stir it together with soy sauce, sugar and black pepper, then let the chicken marinate in the mixture for an hour.
Not even the veggie "haters" will be able to resist these green beans. (Who doesn't want to try a side made with "magic sauce"?!) Reviewers say they've also used the garlicky, honey-infused sauce on broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and one even declares it was great on pasta.
You won't believe how little effort this flavor-packed bowl requires. Rub a rib-eye steak with sesame oil, sprinkle with salt and cook for just minutes, then arrange the thinly sliced steak atop bowls of cooled udon noodles, cabbage and spring onions. Pour the spicy sesame dressing on at the last minute for the perfect finishing touch.
Tyler Florence strikes the perfect balance of sweet and salty with his easy sesame dressing, and he gets the entire side dish ready to serve in only 15 minutes.
The secret to these delicious noodles, The Pioneer Woman says, "is definitely in the sauce." Whip together soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, rice wine vinegar, and three types of oil and — voila! The sesame oil adds toasty notes and the hot chili oil heats everything up a bit, so don't even think about skipping either!
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