Gomae Spinach Salad

This Gomae Spinach Salad is a classic Japanese side dish featuring tender blanched spinach tossed in a sweet and savory sesame dressing. It's simple, wholesome, and packed with nutty flavor. This salad is perfect as a light appetizer or side to a larger meal and comes together in just minutes with a handful of pantry staples.

My go-to dishes whenever I go to a Japanese restaurant are sushi and gomae (胡麻和え). I only wish that the portions of this salad were bigger. Now that we have developed our own recipe, I can help myself to as many portions as I would like! Plus, once you’ve made it at home, you’ll never want to buy the store version again.

Whether you're serving sushi, noodles, or a bento-style dinner, goma-ae adds balance and freshness to your plate. It's naturally vegan, easy to prep ahead of time, and offers a flavorful way to enjoy greens.

Why You’ll Love This Gomae Spinach Salad

• Rich sesame flavor. Toasted sesame seeds are the star of this dish, lending a deep, nutty aroma and taste that makes each bite incredibly satisfying. The homemade sesame sauce is fragrant, smooth, and coats the spinach beautifully without overpowering it. Did you know that this Goma-ae dish is actually named after the dressing? One of my readers pointed out that the word "Goma" essentially means sesame seeds and "Ae" means to dress. So cool!
• Quick and easy. This salad takes only 10 minutes to make, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner additions. The process is simple — just blanch, toast, grind, and mix. The payoff is big in flavor.
• Healthy and nutrient-dense. Packed with vitamins, fiber, and minerals, spinach is a nutritional powerhouse. Combined with calcium-rich sesame seeds, this dish offers a healthful option that doesn’t compromise on taste or satisfaction.
• Vegan and gluten-free friendly. Naturally plant-based and easy to make gluten-free by using tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, this salad suits a wide variety of dietary needs without sacrificing authenticity.
• Pairs with almost anything. Gomae is incredibly versatile and complements everything from sushi and grilled meats to rice bowls and miso soup. It's a reliable go-to for any Japanese-inspired meal.

Ingredient Notes

To make this quick and easy Gomae Spinach Salad, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• sesame seeds – toasted and ground for the rich, nutty base of the homemade sesame dressing.
• cornstarch slurry - made with cornstarch and water to help slightly thicken the sauce and create a smooth texture. You can opt to leave this out if you prefer a thinner consistency.
• soy sauce – for umami flavor. Feel free to substitute with tamari for a gluten-free option.
• sugar – adds balance and sweetness to the savory sesame sauce.
• spinach – fresh, leafy greens that are lightly blanched. Use mature spinach or baby spinach.
• salt – to season.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a skillet, a mortar and pestle (or spice grinder, blender, or food processor), mixing bowl, cooking pot, and colander.

How to Make the Best Gomae Spinach Salad

1. Roast sesame seeds. In a small skillet, add the sesame seeds and heat over medium-low heat. Roast until they begin to brown, then remove from heat.

2. Grind the sesame seeds. Set aside 1 tablespoon of the roasted sesame seeds to use as a garnish, if desired. Transfer the rest into a mortar and pestle and grind. You can also use a spice grinder to grind the seeds or a blender or food processor.
3. Make the cornstarch slurry. In a small mixing bowl, make a cornstarch slurry by combining the cornstarch with ¼ cup water and stir together until fully dissolved. If you prefer a thinner sauce, you can skip the cornstarch slurry.

4. Make the dressing. Add the ground sesame seeds, soy sauce, and sugar to the same small mixing bowl and mix well.

5. Cook the sauce. Transfer the mixture to a small small saucepan and heat over medium until the sauce starts to thicken. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Set aside to cool.

6. Cook the spinach. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the spinach and blanch cook for 1 minute. Transfer the spinach into a colander and immediately run cold water through it (this will stop the cooking process completely).
7. Squeeze out water. Use your hands or a cheese cloth to to squeeze the water out of the spinach.

8. Serve. Split the spinach into 4 small portions and divide into small bowls. Add one tablespoon of your sesame sauce on top and garnish with a pinch of roasted sesame seeds, if using. Serve immediately.

How to Serve

This Gomae spinach salad is delicious served chilled or at room temperature. This side dish pairs well with a variety of Japanese inspired dishes including:

• Miso Salmon
• Teriyaki Chicken
• Sushi Bowl
• Steamed Rice
• Quick and Easy Vegetarian Ramen
• Kani Salad

For more Asian-inspired recipes, see our 60 Chinese Takeout Recipes at Home.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Store leftover gomae in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best texture and flavor, keep the dressing and spinach separate until just before serving.

How to Freeze

Freezing gomae spinach salad is not recommended. The spinach tends to become soggy and lose its vibrant color and texture once thawed. Additionally, the sesame dressing may separate or become grainy after freezing and reheating.

FAQ

More Spinach Recipes

• Spinach Salad
• Sautéed Spinach
• Creamed Spinach
• Spinach Quiche
• Baked Spinach Dip
• Spinach Gratin

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