About Sesame Seeds Uses, Pairings and Recipes

Golden in color, toasted sesame seeds have a deep, nutty flavor and are perfect for encrusting chicken and fish. Add to Asian stir-fries, rice and noodles, or sprinkle on salads and vegetables.

WHAT ARE SESAME SEEDS & WHAT DO SESAME SEEDS LOOK LIKE?

Sesame seeds are tiny, oil-rich kernels found inside the fruit pods of a sesame plant. The only edible part of the plant, these small, flat, oval-shaped seeds are about 0.1 inches long and very thin.

DO SESAME SEEDS ADD FLAVOR?

Sesame seeds are a versatile ingredient that can enhance both sweet and savory dishes. With their mild, sweet and nutty taste, sesame seeds elevate recipes with a satisfying crunch. When baked or toasted, sesame seeds release an almond-like aroma and deep flavor. These tiny seeds are a fantastic ingredient for condiments and sauces.

WHAT ARE SESAME SEEDS GOOD FOR?

Sesame seeds are a staple ingredient for various cultures, in particular Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. When used in cooking, sesame seeds can be toasted, ground, used whole or included as the main part of a sesame seed seasoning.

TYPES OF SESAME SEEDS

White Sesame Seeds: Mild in flavor, these are the most prevalent variety of sesame seeds. They are commonly used as a finishing touch for dishes or sprinkled atop salads.

Black Sesame Seeds: This variety presents an intensified flavor that’s great for adding an extra boost of nutty essence. Black sesame seeds are a great addition to stir-fries, baked goods and sauces.

Toasted Sesame Seeds: Made from either black or white sesame seeds, this variety has been toasted to unlock a new level of their nutty essence. Toasted sesame seeds add a textural element to breads and cookies and are often used to garnish dishes like stir-fries, salads or sushi.

Hulled Sesame Seeds: Prior to being sold, this variety of sesame seeds have had their outer husk removed, which eliminates the need for toasting. Hulled sesame seeds offer a distinct taste and slightly richer flavor as they typically retained more natural oil.

FLAVORS THAT GO WITH SESAME SEEDS:

Add some more flavor to your meals with herbs and spices that pair well with sesame seeds, such as:

Black Pepper: Our pure black pepper is the most widely used seasoning on Earth. It delivers a mild kick of heat that highlights rather than overwhelms other flavors. Native to the Malabar Coast of India, McCormick Black Pepper comes from the mature berries of the evergreen vine Piper nigrum. From plantation to package, we monitor the process every step of the way to ensure that every bottle delivers consistent sharp aroma and earthy flavor. In ancient times, peppercorns were rare and valuable. They were used as currency to pay dowries and even rent. Although no longer used as money, pure black pepper is still one of the world’s most valued and beloved spices in all types of food.
White Pepper: Use white pepper to season light-colored dishes like cream sauces, soups, potatoes, pasta and seafood. White pepper has a pungent flavor so use less than you would black pepper.
Garlic: Dried garlic takes on a mellow, round flavor that elevates recipes both savory and sweet. McCormick partners with family owned farms to grow garlic that can be used as powder or minced. It adds instant flavor into whatever you’re cooking because our bottles contain garlic and only garlic, and nothing else. Garlic is a member of the lily family, native to Central Asia and cousin to leeks, chives, onions and shallots. It’s the most pungent of the lilies, with a strong flavor and aroma. Unless you’re using it to ward off vampires, as people have done since the 1700s, it pays to use allium sativum with a gentle hand.
Hot Chili: Hot chili pepper adds flavorful heat to chili, tacos, salsas and other Mexican-style dishes.
Oregano: In Greek, oregano means “joy of the mountain." Even though it's super popular today, it actually wasn't wasn’t widely used in the U.S. until GIs returned from Italy during World War II. Our pure oregano is a delicious addition to any tomato dish, eggs and omelets, chicken, fish and pork, cooked vegetables, vinaigrettes and more. Consider it your go-to herb for that real Mediterranean flavor.

HOW LONG DO SPICES LAST?

While dried herbs and spices typically last for 1–2 years, there are some exceptions worth noting when it comes to the shelf life of spices. Maintain the freshness of your spices and herbs with these helpful storage tips.

GRAB YOUR SESAME SEED PRODUCTS!

AND TRY THESE RECIPES THAT USE SESAME SEEDS:

Want to create a meal plan for your sesame seeds recipes? Need help planning your weekly meals and want to try new recipes? Save your favorite food, dessert, drink recipes and organize your ingredients with the McCormick Meal Planner.