47 Recipes to Get Your Sesame On

Updated: May 15, 2024

Take it beyond the bun with these yummy sesame recipes for mains, sides, salads and breads.

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Sesame Almond Slaw

Crunchy veggies and noodles are coated in a tangy dressing in this pleasant slaw. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Asian Slow Cooker Pork

Asian slow cooker recipes are a favorite in our home, and this one is perfect for fall and winter evenings. A pork roast cooks all afternoon with sweet onions, honey, soy sauce and ginger for fabulous flavor. The aroma fills the house with a scent that cries out, 'Welcome home!' —Sheree Shown, Junction City, Oregon
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Sesame Herb Pull-Apart Bread

The beauty of this bread is that all the prep work is done a day ahead. The savory herbs make it irresistible. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
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Kale Slaw Spring Salad

My parents and in-laws are retired and like to spend winters in Florida. This tangy spring salad welcomes the snowbirds back for our Easter celebration! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
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Thai-Style Brisket

Here's an unusual take on brisket that will have you hooked. Peanut butter, soy, crisp-tender veggies and zesty seasonings give it the authentic Thai flavor we crave. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
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Radish Asparagus Salad

Lemon zest and mustard in the dressing add the perfect punch to crisp asparagus and crunchy radishes in this fresh spring salad. My family loves it! —Nancy Latulippe, Simcoe, Ontario
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Sesame Wheat Braids

When I started making this bread, my husband and our six children liked it so much that I was baking every day! I was thrilled when the judges at our county fair gave these braids both a blue ribbon and a best of show award! —Nancy Montgomery, Hartville, Ohio
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Ginger-Cashew Chicken Salad

I revamped an Asian-style chicken salad recipe to create this gingery, crunchy salad. Now it’s a huge success when I serve it at ladies luncheons. —Shelly Gramer, Long Beach, California
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Ginger-Tuna Kabobs

I find myself making this recipe again and again. It's a hit at parties and potlucks. —Mary Beth Harris-Murphree, Tyler, Texas
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Garlic-Sesame Green Beans

Sauteed bits of garlic and shallot, with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds, turn ordinary beans into something special. Keep the recipe in mind for your garden crop in summer. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
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Herbed Bread Twists

A blend of herbs and a special shape dress up ordinary frozen bread dough in this unbelievably easy recipe. —Deb Stapert, Comstock Park, Michigan
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Sesame Beef & Asparagus Salad

Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies—especially when it comes to experimenting with fresh ingredients like these. This meaty salad is wonderful at the start of asparagus season. —Tamara Steeb, Issaquah, Washington
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Lime and Sesame Grilled Eggplant

When I lived in Greece, I fell in love with eggplant. My recipe's seasonings have an Asian theme, but the dish still makes me think Greek. —Allyson Meyler, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Chicken Club Pizza

A co-worker shared how to replace pizza crust with crescent rolls. I used that idea to turn an awesome sandwich recipe into an even more fabulous pizza. After baking, top with shredded lettuce. —Sherri Cox, Lucasville, Ohio
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Herbed Bread Twists

A blend of herbs and a special shape dress up ordinary frozen bread dough in this unbelievably easy recipe. —Deb Stapert, Comstock Park, Michigan
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Quick Ginger Pork

My husband and I are empty nesters. It was a challenge learning to cook for just two again, but recipes like this give us delicious scaled-down dinners. —Esther Johnson Danielson, Lawton, Pennsylvania
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Red, White & Blue Potato Salad

Tossing the cooked potatoes with stock and wine right after you drain them infuses them with flavor. The liquid absorbs like magic. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California
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Sweet 'n' Tangy Chicken Wings

I love the convenience of slow-cooker recipes for get-togethers. Start these sweet and sour chicken wings a few hours ahead of time and you'll have fantastic appetizers ready when your guests arrive. —Ida Tuey, South Lyon, Michigan
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Sesame Seed Cookies

These are very special cookies served often in the South. They're perfect with tea or coffee. My whole family loves them. —Maxine Trively, Highlands, North Carolina
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Slow-Cooker Garlic-Sesame Beef

My mom received this marinade recipe from a neighbor while she lived in Seoul, South Korea, which is where I was adopted from. Mom created heritage night for my brother and me, and she served Korean bulgogi with sticky rice, kimchi and chopsticks. As a busy mom of four, I keep her tradition alive with this slow cooker Korean beef!—Jackie Brown, Fairview, North Carolina
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Grilled Mango & Avocado Salad

A big hit with my family, this light salad is so easy to make! The healthy option of mango and avocado is simply the best combination you could serve. —Amy Liesemeyer, Tucson, Arizona
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Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs

Everyone goes for this super moist, garlicky chicken, including my fussy kids. For your holiday buffet or family gathering, serve it with rice or noodles. —Carole Lotito, Hillsdale, New Jersey
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Sugar Snap Pea Stir-Fry

Fresh ginger, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil provide a nice blend of flavors in this Asian-inspired recipe for fresh sugar snap peas. This quick-to-cook recipe will complement most any entree, including ham, lamb, chicken or fish. Best of all, it's easy to double for large crowds. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Chinese-Style Zucchini

A quick side, this fresh-tasting dish is a good pair with salmon. The toasted sesame seeds really bring out the flavor. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
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Turkey Ramen Noodle Salad

My husband and I make this awesome salad together—he does the chopping. When we bring it to potlucks, we pack the ramen and almonds separately and toss them in right before it's time to dish up. They stay nice and crunchy that way. —Kristen Pallant, Big Arm, Montana
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Pumpkin Knot Rolls

These rolls are the lightest, most delicious ones I've ever tasted—and everyone else seems to agree. The pumpkin gives them mild flavor, moist texture and a pretty golden color. At our house, it wouldn't be the holidays without them. —Dianna Shimizu, Issaquah, Washington
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Easy Asian Glazed Meatballs

As a writer and busy mom of three boys, I need tasty meals on the quick. We serve these glazed meatballs over a steaming bed of rice. —Amy Dong, Woodbury, Minnesota
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Cranberry-Sesame Spinach Salad

For a feast or any occasion, we love this snappy fall salad that balances sweet and sour with good crunch from almonds and sesame seeds. —Stephanie Smoley, Rochester, Minnesota
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Sesame Omelet Spinach Spirals

These pretty spirals would be perfect for a buffet of international hors d'oeuvres. They remind me of sushi. The dipping sauce is an exotic accompaniment to this fun finger food.—Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
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Bulgogi

I first made this peppery beef with a recipe from my boss, who lived in Korea in the 1950s. Freeze the ribeyes and slicing's a cinch. —Linda McCane, Chesapeake, Virginia
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Honey Challah

Our honey challah is a braided bread that can be made with three, four or even six strands. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through making a gorgeous six-stranded braid.
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Spicy Orange Chicken

I created a citrusy version of General Tso's chicken. Top with sesame seeds and green onions, roasted red peppers and sugar snap peas. —Paula Williams, Covington, Kentucky
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California Roll

Making your own California sushi roll is surprisingly easy. You'll need a bamboo mat, sushi rice and nori sheets to get started, and with a bit of practice, you'll be a pro in no time.
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Tropical Island Chicken

The marinade makes a savory statement in this all-time-favorite chicken recipe that I served at our son's pirate-themed birthday party. It smelled so good on the grill that guests could hardly wait to try a piece! —Sharon Hanson, Franklin, Tennessee
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Asian Chicken Rice Bowl

This super flavorful, nutrient-packed dish makes use of supermarket conveniences like coleslaw mix and rotisserie chicken. This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for large families. —Christianna Gozzi, Asteria, New York
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Soft Sesame Breadsticks

I've been making these tasty breadsticks that go with almost any meal for years. Since they use ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder and milk, it's convenient and inexpensive to mix up a batch. —Nancy Johnson, Connersville, Indiana
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Sesame-Ginger Cucumber Salad

I love the marinated sides and salads that come with meals at Japanese restaurants and wanted to try them at home. After some research, I came up with this cool, crisp salad. —Kimberly Ludvick, Newburgh, New York
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Speedy Salmon Stir-Fry

Salmon is a staple where I live, so I tried it in a stir-fry. My recipe has an orange glaze, but I like it with lime, too. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
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Crab Rangoon Cheese Ball

My whole family loves crab rangoon, so I wanted to come up with a healthier version—no deep frying! Word of advice: Make a double batch. This won't last long! —Bridget Mooney, Chicago, Illinois
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Asian Ribs

My husband adores this recipe for Asian ribs, and I love how good it makes the house smell! The mild, tangy, salty-sweet sauce with fresh ginger and garlic is delicious with rice or noodles. —Julie Ko, Rogers, Arkansas
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Sesame Salmon with Wasabi Mayo

I created this recipe to mimic the flavors of sushi. It’s remarkably simple and turns out well every time. —Carolyn Ketchum, Wakefield, Massachusetts
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Soba Noodle Salad

Nutty soba noodles, an umami-rich soy sauce-based dressing, and a rainbow of sweet, crunchy vegetables make this chilled salad satisfying and really good for you.
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Sesame Pork Roast

My trick to making a tasty roast that’s pull-apart tender is marinating a boneless cut of pork in a tangy sauce overnight before cooking it slowly the next day. It’s unbeatable. —Sue Brown, San Miguel, California