Japanese Spinach Salad

Introduction

Japanese Spinach Salad, also known as “Goma-ae,” is a beautiful medley of tender blanched spinach dressed with a nutty, slightly sweet sesame sauce. This dish is a beloved classic because it’s both simple and nourishing, delivering a concentrated burst of umami flavor in every bite. Served as a side or light appetizer, it’s a refreshing and healthy addition to any meal.

Why Japanese Spinach Salad is a Crowd Pleaser

This salad shines with its irresistible sesame flavor, quick preparation, and versatility. The delicate balance of savory and sweet tones complements both Asian and Western meals, while the vibrant green of the spinach makes for an eye-catching presentation. It’s perfect for dinner parties, bento boxes, or as a make-ahead lunch side.

Savory Sesame Dressing: A Signature Touch

The heart of this recipe is its richly flavored sesame dressing. Toasted sesame seeds are ground to release their aroma and blended with soy sauce, sugar, and a hint of mirin, creating a creamy, slightly sweet sauce that clings to every leaf of spinach. This is what sets Goma-ae apart from ordinary spinach salads, infusing each bite with authentic Japanese character.

Easy Preparation and Assembly

Blanching the spinach ensures it remains tender but bright green, locking in nutrients and flavor. After draining and pressing out excess water, the spinach is sliced and tossed with the irresistible sesame sauce. The final flourish of extra sesame seeds elevates both texture and taste, making it an instant classic at your table.

Serving Suggestions for Japanese Spinach Salad

Japanese Spinach Salad pairs beautifully with grilled meats, rice bowls, or sushi. It’s a wonderful addition to a lunchbox or served as an appetizer before a larger meal. If you’d like to personalize, try adding a sprinkle of chili flakes or swapping in blanched green beans for a different texture.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 small servings, making it ideal as a side dish. Each serving is approximately 100 calories, packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats from the sesame. It’s a light yet satisfying way to boost your veggie intake.

Japanese Spinach Salad (Recap)

The classic Japanese Spinach Salad is a quick, healthy, and flavor-packed side that’s equally at home at gatherings or as part of your weekly lunch prep. The creamy sesame dressing makes this nutritious dish crave-worthy every time.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with a pinch of salt. Add the spinach and blanch for about 30–45 seconds, just until wilted and bright green.
2. Immediately transfer the spinach to an ice water bath to stop the cooking. Drain thoroughly and squeeze out as much water as possible from the spinach.
3. Roughly chop the spinach into 2-inch pieces and set aside.
4. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds (if not purchased pre-toasted) until fragrant. Transfer to a mortar and pestle or spice grinder and grind until mostly crushed but still with some texture.
5. In a bowl, combine the ground sesame seeds, soy sauce, sugar, mirin (if using), and sesame oil. Mix well to form a thick dressing.
6. Add the spinach to the dressing and toss to coat evenly. Plate the salad and sprinkle with extra toasted sesame seeds for garnish. Serve immediately or chill until ready to use.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Japanese Spinach Salad is fantastic for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your meals and create smart shopping lists that consolidate everything you’ll need, minimizing duplicate purchases and waste.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities for all your planned meals
– Sorts every ingredient by store section for fast, strategic shopping
– Reduces forgotten ingredients and extra trips
– Streamlines weekly meal prep for healthier, stress-free eating

Pro tip: If you’re planning multiple meals with spinach, let CookifyAI combine the totals, so you buy the right amount and avoid running short during the week.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes