9 Best Sesame Oils
Sesame oil isn’t just another ingredient — it’s a pantry staple that instantly upgrades your cooking. Its warm, nutty flavor can bring noodles, stir-fries, and dipping sauces to life, whether you’re using it in a marinade or as a finishing touch.
But with so many types out there — light, toasted, organic, cold-pressed — choosing the right one isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best sesame oils from Amazon, Walmart, and Target to help you find the perfect match for your kitchen.
Quick List - Top Sesame Oil
Kerri is an Iowan farm girl turned teacher who came to Japan for a one-year adventure and ended up staying for 11. Alongside teaching, she has a background in Literature and Creative Writing, with a special focus on poetry, and is always chipping away at that big dream novel—when she’s not crafting mybest articles, of course. She especially enjoys writing creative introductions for each product. In her free time, she loves discovering new books, exploring the outdoors, spending time with her husband, and spoiling her two cats, Venus and Neptune.
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Why Sesame Oil Is Good for Cooking — and So Much More
Sesame oil isn’t just great in stir-fries and sauces — it’s a surprisingly versatile ingredient that goes beyond savory dishes. Its rich, toasty flavor adds depth to salad dressings, marinades, and even desserts.
On top of that, it’s packed with health benefits, including heart-healthy fats and antioxidants that support skin and overall wellness. Whether you're in it for the flavor or the health perks, sesame oil is a staple that works hard in both your kitchen and your self-care routine.
How to Choose Sesame Oil - Buying Guide
Choose Between Toasted and Untoasted Sesame Oil for the Right Flavor
Toasted Sesame Oil for Low-Heat Cooking and Finishing Dishes
- Flavor Profile: Rich, nutty, and smoky. Toasted sesame oil is made by roasting sesame seeds before extracting the oil, which gives it a deep, intense flavor.
- Best Uses: Ideal for finishing dishes or drizzling over salads, stir-fries, and noodle bowls. It’s a popular addition to many Asian dishes and enhances flavors with its strong, distinctive taste.
- Cooking Tips: Typically used for low-heat applications or added at the end of cooking to preserve its robust flavor. It should not be used for high-heat frying as it can burn and lose its flavor.
Untoasted Sesame Oil for High-Heat Cooking
- Flavor Profile: Mild and neutral, offering a clean, light taste that doesn’t overpower other ingredients in your dishes.
- Best Uses: Perfect for high-heat cooking methods like stir-frying or deep-frying, where you want a neutral base oil that won’t compete with other flavors. It's also great in dressings or as a cooking base.
- Cooking Tips: Its neutral flavor makes it a versatile ingredient for a wide range of recipes. It is also more heat stable than toasted sesame oil, making it suitable for frying and sautéing.
Choose Cold-Pressed or Expeller-Pressed for Better Quality and Flavor
The way sesame oil is extracted makes a big difference in both taste and nutrition. For the best quality, look for oils that are either cold-pressed or expeller-pressed — these methods avoid harsh chemicals and help preserve the oil’s natural benefits.
Cold-pressed sesame oil is made without heat, which helps retain antioxidants, vitamins, and heart-healthy fats. It also has a cleaner, fresher flavor, making it ideal for salad dressings, dips, and any dish where you want the sesame taste to shine.
Expeller-pressed sesame oil is mechanically extracted and may involve some heat, but it's still a high-quality option. It offers a more neutral flavor and works well for everyday cooking, including sautéing and stir-frying.
Choosing either cold-pressed or expeller-pressed sesame oil means you’re getting a more natural product that’s better for your health — and your taste buds.
Choose Refined or Unrefined Sesame Oil Based on How You Cook
Not all sesame oils are the same — some are bold and flavorful, while others are better suited for high-heat cooking. Knowing the difference between refined and unrefined sesame oil can help you pick the right one for your kitchen.
Unrefined sesame oil is made from raw sesame seeds and keeps its natural flavor and nutrients. It’s darker, richer, and packed with that signature nutty taste. This makes it great for stir-fries, dressings, and as a finishing oil. Just keep in mind that it has a lower smoke point, so it’s not ideal for frying or other high-heat methods.
Refined sesame oil undergoes a filtering process to remove impurities. The result is a lighter-colored oil with a milder flavor and a higher smoke point. It’s perfect for sautéing, roasting, or deep frying — basically, any time you want the benefits of sesame oil without its strong flavor taking over.
If you’re after bold flavor, go with unrefined. If you need something more versatile for everyday cooking, refined is the way to go.
Pick Sesame Oil in Dark Bottles to Keep It Fresh Longer
Sesame oil can go rancid if exposed to too much light or air. That’s why packaging matters just as much as what’s inside. Look for sesame oil sold in dark bottles, such as amber glass or opaque containers — these help block UV rays and slow down oxidation.
Dark packaging helps preserve the oil’s nutty flavor, nutrients, and shelf life. So before you buy, take a quick look at the bottle. A well-protected oil means fresher taste and better quality every time you cook.
Best Sesame Oils Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Net Weight | Calories | Opaque Containter | Toasted or Untoasted | Refinement | Extraction Method | Certifications | |||||
1 | La Tourangelle Toasted Sesame Oil | | Best Toasted Flavor That's Great for Asian Dishes and Dressings | 16.9 fl. oz. | 130 | Toasted | Unrefined | Expeller Pressed | Non-GMO | ||
2 | Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil | | Best For Asian Cuisine | 5.5 fl. oz. | 130 | Toasted | unknown | Expeller Pressed | |||
3 | Whole Foods Market, Inc. 365 ｜Toasted Sesame Seed Oil | | Toasty Goodness for Bold Dishes | 8.4 fl. oz. | 130 | Toasted | Unrefined | Expeller Pressed | Non-GMO | ||
4 | Whole Foods Market, Inc. 365 ｜Organic Sesame Oil | | Mild and Clean Organic Option | 8.4 fl. oz. | 130 | Untoasted | Unrefined | Expeller Pressed | Organic | ||
5 | Kikkoman Sales USA, Inc. 100% Pure Sesame Oil | | Trusted, High-Quality Sesame Oil | 5 fl. oz. | 120 | Toasted | unknown | Expeller Pressed | Non-GMO | ||
6 | Felicific Inc Soeos｜Sesame Oil | | Full-Flavored and Bold Sesame Oil | 8.45 fl. oz. | 120 | Toasted | unknown | Cold Pressed | |||
7 | Spectrum Organic Products, LLC Organic Sesame Oil, Unrefined | | Organic, Nutritious, and Versatile | 16 fl. oz. | 120 | Untoasted | Unrefined | Expeller Pressed | Organic、Non-GMO | ||
8 | GRUPO KEVALA, S.A DE C.V. Organic Toasted Sesame Oil | | Rich, Aromatic Toasted Sesame Oil | 8 fl. oz. | 122 | Toasted | Unrefined | Cold Pressed | Organic、Non-GMO | ||
9 | Ottogi Co., Ltd. Premium Roasted Sesame Oil | | Premium Quality with Bold, Roasted Flavor | 10.82 fl. oz. | 120 | Toasted | unknown | unknown | |||
La Tourangelle Toasted Sesame Oil
- Toasted or Untoasted
- Toasted
Best Toasted Flavor That's Great for Asian Dishes and Dressings
Pros:
- Made using low-heat expeller-pressing method to preserve flavors and nutrients
- Has five grams of omega-9 per serving and only two grams of saturated fat
- Flavor is nutty and toasty
- Great for medium-heat cooking like sautéing or for making marinades and dressings
- Tin can preserves the quality of the oil and is designed with a no-drip pour spout
- Flavor is too mild for some buyers
La Tourangelle's toasted sesame oil is made from sesame seeds that are lightly toasted to release a nutty flavor and aroma. They later go through an expeller-pressing method that doesn't involve any chemicals. Therefore, the resulting oil is rich in omega-9 and can add extra flavor to your stir-fry, noodle dishes, vegetables or fried rice.
Some reviewers say the flavor isn't as bold as they expected. Nevertheless, many customers love the toasted flavor that goes well with Asian dishes. They say this oil could be used as a drizzle, marinade, or in salad dressings. The tin packaging is another plus for many buyers, as it helps preserve the freshness of the oil and has a nice pour spout.
| Net Weight | 16.9 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Calories | 130 |
| Opaque Containter | |
| Refinement | Unrefined |
| Extraction Method | Expeller Pressed |
| Certifications | Non-GMO |
Best For Asian Cuisine
Kadoya Sesame Oil is a premium choice for adding authentic flavor to your dishes. With a net content volume of 5.5 fluid ounces and a total liquid volume of 6 fluid ounces, this oil delivers high-quality, rich flavor in every drop. Sourced from Japan, it’s ideal for enhancing Korean recipes as well as traditional Japanese dishes like takoyaki.
The convenient packaging dimensions are 7.5 cm in length, 11.1 cm in width, and 21.7 cm in height, making it easy to store in your pantry. Known for its great consistency and superior quality, Kadoya sesame oil is a trusted staple for anyone looking to elevate their culinary creations.
| Net Weight | 5.5 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Calories | 130 |
| Opaque Containter | |
| Refinement | unknown |
| Extraction Method | Expeller Pressed |
| Certifications |
Whole Foods Market, Inc.365 ｜ Toasted Sesame Seed Oil
- Toasted or Untoasted
- Toasted
Toasty Goodness for Bold Dishes
| Net Weight | 8.4 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Calories | 130 |
| Opaque Containter | |
| Refinement | Unrefined |
| Extraction Method | Expeller Pressed |
| Certifications | Non-GMO |
Whole Foods Market, Inc.365 ｜ Organic Sesame Oil
- Toasted or Untoasted
- Untoasted
Mild and Clean Organic Option
| Net Weight | 8.4 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Calories | 130 |
| Opaque Containter | |
| Refinement | Unrefined |
| Extraction Method | Expeller Pressed |
| Certifications | Organic |
Kikkoman Sales USA, Inc.100% Pure Sesame Oil
- Toasted or Untoasted
- Toasted
Trusted, High-Quality Sesame Oil
| Net Weight | 5 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Opaque Containter | |
| Refinement | unknown |
| Extraction Method | Expeller Pressed |
| Certifications | Non-GMO |
Felicific IncSoeos ｜ Sesame Oil
- Toasted or Untoasted
- Toasted
Full-Flavored and Bold Sesame Oil
| Net Weight | 8.45 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Opaque Containter | |
| Refinement | unknown |
| Extraction Method | Cold Pressed |
| Certifications |
Spectrum Organic Products, LLCOrganic Sesame Oil, Unrefined
- Toasted or Untoasted
- Untoasted
Organic, Nutritious, and Versatile
| Net Weight | 16 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Opaque Containter | |
| Refinement | Unrefined |
| Extraction Method | Expeller Pressed |
| Certifications | Organic、Non-GMO |
GRUPO KEVALA, S.A DE C.V.Organic Toasted Sesame Oil
- Toasted or Untoasted
- Toasted
Rich, Aromatic Toasted Sesame Oil
| Net Weight | 8 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Calories | 122 |
| Opaque Containter | |
| Refinement | Unrefined |
| Extraction Method | Cold Pressed |
| Certifications | Organic、Non-GMO |
Ottogi Co., Ltd.Premium Roasted Sesame Oil
- Toasted or Untoasted
- Toasted
Premium Quality with Bold, Roasted Flavor
| Net Weight | 10.82 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Opaque Containter | |
| Refinement | unknown |
| Extraction Method | unknown |
| Certifications |
Check Out More Trending Cooking Oils
Top 5 Sesame Oil
No. 1: La Tourangelle ｜Toasted Sesame Oil
No. 2: Kadoya｜Pure Sesame Oil
No. 3: Whole Foods Market, Inc.｜365 ｜Toasted Sesame Seed Oil
No. 4: Whole Foods Market, Inc.｜365 ｜Organic Sesame Oil
No. 5: Kikkoman Sales USA, Inc.｜100% Pure Sesame Oil
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.