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    Home » Winter

    Published: Jan 3, 2023 · Modified: Mar 10, 2023 by Zen · This post may contain affiliate links.

    17 Black Sesame Recipes

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    Black sesame has a deep, complex, nutty and bittersweet flavor that is great in both sweet and savory foods. Check out these black sesame recipes for their bittersweet but delicious

    Jump to:
    • 💭 What is Black Sesame?
    • 📋 How to Use
    • 🥘 Savory
    • 🍦No Bake Desserts
    • 🍪 Baked Treats
    • 🍹 Drinks

    💭 What is Black Sesame?

    The unhulled version of white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds (黑芝麻馅 Hei Zhi Ma Xian in Chinese/ 黒ごま kurogoma in Japanese) are less sweet and more crunchy than its white counterpart. They're also more fragrant, which is why we see them used in desserts more often. (I love them in my sushi bakes!)

    They contain lots of anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals such as zinc, fibre, iron, magnesium, calcium and (good) fats! Best of all, it has a bold, nutty and complex flavor that is perfect in Asian desserts. Pretty much a powerhouse of flavor!

    Types

    You can find it in original seed form (roasted and non-toasted), as a powder or a paste from most Asian supermarkets or online.

    Non-toasted seeds last the longest and give you more flexibility as you can easily blitz it into a powder or blend it into a paste when you want to use it. (Do remember to dry-fry beforehand to enhance the aroma!)

    Once you know how to make your own black sesame thick paste, you can use it in anything from Chinese glutinous rice balls to lattes and ice cream!

    Flavor Pairings

    Black Sesame's earthy, deep and nutty flavor that helps to balance out sweetness, and is the perfect dessert flavor for people who don't like overly-sweet snacks. Kind of like a grown-up treat!

    The taste of black sesame also complements chocolate, vanilla and creamy ingredients such as cream cheese and butter well. (Hence all the black sesame shortbreads and cheesecakes out there!)

    Another common flavor pairing is with matcha green tea powder, as both have an earthy flavor.

    📋 How to Use

    Black sesame can be used in both savory and sweet recipes, either for the flavor or to add texture.

    Scroll down for the recipes!

    🥘 Savory

    Gomadofu

    Black sesame tofu is a Japanese side dish traditionally served at the beginning of a Buddhist meal. You can find it in grocery stores in Japan but it's not common outside of the country.

    Thankfully, it's very easy to make at home with just 8 ingredients! (4 of which are for the sauce!)

    Tuna Salad

    Drizzling dressing over black sesame crusted tuna and salad.
    Ahi Tuna Salad
    This ahi tuna salad looks like it came straight from a restaurant -- complete with perfectly cooked ahi tuna, creamy avocado, tender asparagus, greens, and a sesame ginger dressing.
    Click here for the seafood salad recipe.

    Turnips

    Close-up of a bowl of Japanese turnips.

    Toasted Black Sesame Seeds can also be used as a garnish for savory recipes, such as pan-fried teriyaki salmon or these baked turnips.

    Japanese Turnips
    This Japanese turnip recipe works in the oven or air fryer, and has the BEST miso maple sauce.
    Click here for the savory turnip recipe.
    Close-up of a bowl of Japanese turnips.

    Soba

    This under-30 minute recipe which only requires 8 ingredients is the perfect noodle dish for busy weeknight dinners!

    With broccoli and a made-from-scratch sauce, it's also good for you!

    🍦No Bake Desserts

    Black Sesame Sweet Soup

    2 bowls of black sesame soup, 1 with glutinous rice flour and 1 without.
    1 bowl looks watery because it's an example of what NOT to do when making this Cantonese dessert- click through to find out more!
    Easy Black Sesame Soup Dessert
    A sweet and creamy Chinese recipe, with nutty overtones giving this easy black sesame soup dessert a complex depth of flavour. Moreover, this 3-ingredient traditional Chinese Tong Sui is naturally vegan, gluten-free, delicious & very nutritious!
    Click here for the Hei Zhi Ma Tang recipe
    2 bowls of Chinese black sesame tong sui next to pink flowers.

    Tang Yuan

    A bowl of colourful tang yuan and a plate of dry glutinous rice dumplings.

    These sweet rice balls made from Glutinous Rice Flour are associated with the Lantern Festival. The round shape symbolises reunion

    I like mine oozing with black sesame filling, but red bean paste is a popular choice too.

    Tang Yuan (With Filling and Plain)
    Tang yuan, or Chinese glutinous rice balls, are a 2 to 3-ingredient chewy snack that can be served in soup (sweet or savoury) or fried. Served at Chinese family gatherings, especially the Winter Solstice, they also come plain or with filling inside so, as you can see, this is a very versatile and easy dish! 
    Click here for the Chinese rice ball recipe.
    A bowl of colourful tang yuan and a plate of dry glutinous rice dumplings.

    Sesame Brittle

    This black sesame brittle only requires 3 ingredients (no corn syrup!) and is full of nutty, delicious flavor.

    No-churn Ice Cream

    This is an easy no-churn, 5-ingredient recipe but do remember to leave at least 6 hours for it to chill in the freezer. Now you can skip the expensive Japanese restaurant and recreate this popular Japanese ice cream flavor at home!

    No-churn ice-creams usually use condensed or evaporate milk, which can make the ice cream overly sweet. However, the bold nuttiness of the black sesame balance the sugar out perfectly!

    Cheesecake

    This pretty, no-bake cheesecake only takes about 15 minutes to make, if you have your black sesame paste at-hand (but 3 hours to chill!)

    Note: if you don't have gelatine, you can swap out for agar agar powder. Don't forget to use pasteurised eggs, since this a no-bake recipe!

    Truffles

    When I used to sell vegan chocolates, black sesame was 1 of the flavors I experimented with. (They went together really well, with a hint of soy sauce to add some umami!)

    As I'm not ready to share my recipe yet, here is another black sesame truffle recipe from Love and Olive oil. Super easy and delicious, these 5-ingredient chocolates are the perfect gift for Valentine's-Galentine's Day!

    🍪 Baked Treats

    Cookies

    Rows of homemade black sesame and matcha shortbread cookies
    Black Sesame Shortbread
    Tasty black sesame shortbread cookies with a matcha chocolate dip - a delicious black sesame dessert in which the black sesame garnish really accentuates the tahini in the cookie dough!
    Click here for the sesame cookie recipe.
    Rows of homemade black sesame and matcha shortbread cookies

    Japanese Tart

    Close-up of a vibrant yellow yuzu tart with a black sesame crust.
    Black Sesame Tart
    This Japanese-inspired Black sesame Tart with Yuzu curd is a must-try if you are into citrusy desserts and/or anything Japanese. For more yuzu desserts, try this yuzu jelly, or if you can't find yuzu (it's a bit of a niche product), try substituting with calamansi lime curd!
    Click here for the Japanese tart recipe.
    Close-up of a vibrant yellow yuzu tart with a black sesame crust.

    Bread

    This twisty, yeasted Babka-esque bread uses black sesame paste to create beautiful swirls in the dough, and will be sure to awe your guests! (Click here for how to make your own sesame paste.)

    Cookies

    Another recipe that uses black sesame paste, these scrumptious 8-ingredient cookies have a toasty, sweet but savory flavor and a beautiful ripple pattern.

    Mochi Donuts

    Black sesame is a popular flavor in Chinese and Japanese desserts. If you like the chewy texture of glutinous rice flour, you'll love these mochi donuts!

    Note: not a donut fan? Make black sesame mochi muffins instead!

    Brownies

    These vegan decadent 7-ingredient brownies are made for tahini lovers. Not just tasty, they're also good for the Earth!

    Note: you will require a few unusual ingredients such as raw cacao powder and coconut sugar though!

    🍹 Drinks

    A glass of black and white black sesame latte with whipped cream on top.
    Black Sesame Latte
    Nutty, aromatic, warming and nutritious, this Black Sesame Latte is the perfect drink for those days when you want something special but are too lazy to head to Starbucks! I focus on the Korean version (Heukimja Latte) but also show you the substitutions necessary for a Middle Eastern version.
    Click here for the sweet black sesame drink recipe.
    A striking black and white glass of latte.

    Which of these scrumptious black sesame recipes was your favorite? Personally, I like black sesame tang yuan the best!

    If you've enjoyed this round-up of Chinese New Year treats, why not sign-up for my newsletter here?

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    Greedygirlgourmet eating 2 sandwiches in Scotland

    Hi I'm Zhen also known as GGG! I couldn't boil water till I was 18 but after living abroad (in St. Andrews then London) for 11 years and having to cook for myself, I now love cooking for friends and family. Learning to cook late, I make sure my recipes go into enough detail for those new to Asian cuisine or who love a test kitchen approach to cooking!

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