Learn how to add some zing to your salad with this fresh ginger dressing that’s healthy and delicious with a bed of crisp greens. Read below for how to prep this 10-minute dressing and what Japanese foods pair best.
What is ginger salad dressing?
If you’ve ever been to a Japanese restaurant, you might be familiar with this bright and refreshing ginger dressing on a bed of crispy greens. The combination of ginger and carrot base on this salad dressing gives it a lighter flavor and body than other richer sesame-oil-based Asian salad dressings. Ginger dressing salad is often served alongside hot dishes like chicken karaage, tori katsu, or yakitori.
Ingredients in ginger salad dressing
It’s a simple dressing made up of a foundation of ginger, carrot, shallot, and neutral oil. I like using avocado oil because it’s a healthier option than canola or vegetable oil and is still neutral in flavor. To add a tangy and savory flavor, I add garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, white miso, and sesame oil. A bit of white cane sugar also helps balance a little sweetness.
If you don’t have rice vinegar, add apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. And you can also change out white cane sugar for honey if you want an even healthier option.
Tips for making ginger salad dressing
Here are my favorite tips to make an easy, homemade ginger salad dressing:
- Use a food processor or strong blender like a Vitamix. These appliances make everything much easier and help emulsify all the ingredients together without clumping.
- Cut your carrot, ginger, and shallot into smaller pieces for easier processing.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the ingredients based on your preferences. For example, if you want a tangier flavor, add more vinegar. Adjust the sugar if you want more sweetness.
- Premake this dressing and store it in your refrigerator for up to three days. Then, quickly prep dressing for meal prep salads in the future.
- I like pairing this ginger dressing with crisp greens like cabbage, spinach, or lettuce. I also like topping it off with sliced carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes. There’s really no wrong way to eat it!
Is ginger dressing good for you?
This ginger dressing is for you if you want a lighter, more refreshing salad dressing. Unlike other Asian-inspired salad dressings that are mainly oil-based, ginger dressing has a high proportion of healthy vegetables like ginger, carrot, shallots, and garlic.
Is ginger dressing good for digestion?
Consuming ginger helps with digestion because it can help with bloating and gas. So if you’ve got some tummy issues, perhaps eating salad dressing made of ginger will help. Carrots also have a lot of fiber content and help with digestion.
What is Japanese salad dressing made of?
This Japanese salad dressing primarily comprises ginger, carrot, shallot, and neutral oil, among other savory ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, white miso, and garlic. If you’re interested in a different kind of Japanese salad, there’s sunomono salad (or Japanese cucumber salad). For an Asian-inspired vinaigrette, I also love Asian sesame salad dressing.
Japanese Ginger Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ c neutral oil
- ½ inch ginger peeled
- ½ medium carrot peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
- ½ medium shallot peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 clove garlic peeled
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- ½ tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tbsp white miso
- 2 tsp white cane sugar or honey
- ½ tsp roasted sesame oil
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Equipment Used
- knife and cutting board
- peeler
- Spoon
- mini food processor or strong blender
- measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
- In a mini food processor or strong blender, add all the ingredients and close the lid.
- Process until all the ingredients are pureed and emulsified.
- Taste test and adjust based on your preferences. If you want more savoriness, add more soy sauce. If you want more acid, add more rice vinegar. If you want more sweetness, add sugar.
- Serve over a bed of greens.
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