BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion
Chili lime sesame dressing in a jar
Refreshing and spicy lime chili sauce

Zesty Chili Lime Sesame Dressing

Author: Flavelo
Sauces and Gravies Recipes Vegetarian & Vegan Dishes
This sauce evokes the flavors of Thai cuisine: salty, sour, sweet, and spicy all at once. This four-way balance is the foundation of Asian gastronomy. It's a light, oil-light alternative (using sesame oil for flavor only) to heavy sauces. The fresh lime cuts through fatty meats, making it excellent for pork belly or salmon.
🕒 Prep Time 10 mins
⌛ Total Time 10 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 110 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Asian

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Small Mason Jar (for shaking)
  • Grater
  • Citrus Juicer

Allergen Information

⚠️ Soy
⚠️ Sesame

Instructions

1 ✓

Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan.

Tip: Only until golden brown; black seeds taste bitter.
2 ✓

Slice the chili in half, scrape out seeds (for milder heat), and slice into hair-thin strips or mince.

Tip: The heat lives in the seeds/ribs. Wear gloves or wash hands thoroughly!
3 ✓

In a small bowl or jar, mix lime juice, honey, and soy sauce until honey dissolves.

Tip: Honey dissolves slower in cold acids; be patient.
4 ✓

Add sesame oil, garlic, ginger, chili, and sesame seeds. Shake or whisk vigorously.

Tip: Sesame oil is intense; we use it as a flavoring spice here, not a cooking fat.
5 ✓

Let sit in the fridge for 10 minutes before serving.

Tip: Give the flavors a moment to get to know each other.

Recipe FAQ

Too sour?
Limes vary in acidity. Add a bit more honey or sugar to rebalance.
Shelf life?
Up to a week in the fridge; flavors actually meld better after a day.

Ingredients

  • 3 whole Limes (juiced, approx 1/3 cup)
  • 1 whole Fresh Red Chili (e.g., Fresno or Thai)
  • 2 tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • 1 tsp Grated Garlic
  • 1 tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
  • 1 pinch Ground Ginger (or fresh grated)