Sesame Ginger Dressing Recipe

Name: Sesame Ginger Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil; 3 tablespoons rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon tamari ((gluten-free soy sauce)); 1 garlic clove (, minced); 1 inch fresh ginger (, minced); 1 teaspoon sriracha ((or more to taste)); ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

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The next time someone asks me to bring a salad to a party, this is the recipe I’m making.

What makes this sesame ginger salad dressing work so well is that it hits all five tastes that make a dish craveable. If you’re not familiar with this idea, the flavors you must include are:

Sweet
Salty
Tangy
Spicy
Umami

This salad dressing hits all of these notes, without using any complicated ingredients. I can’t wait for you to try it!

sesame ginger dressing lifted on a spoon.

Ginger Sesame Dressing Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need:

Toasted Sesame Seed Oil. This provides the sesame flavor, but you won’t need much.
Olive oil. We’re using this for the rest of the oil, because the flavor is neutral enough that it won’t compete with the sesame and ginger. Use avocado oil if you prefer.
Tamari. This is a soy sauce alternative that’s usually gluten-free. (But check the label to be sure.) It adds a salty, umami flavor to complete the dressing.
Rice vinegar. This is the tangy element that makes the flavor pop, but you can likely use another light-colored vinegar, such as apple cider or champagne vinegar, with similar results.
Honey. As I mentioned earlier, sweetness is one of the flavors that makes a dish craveable. Using two tablespoons is plenty, but you can add a little more for a sweeter dressing, if desired.
Ginger + garlic. Grate these over a microplane for a bright, fresh flavor. These two additions make a restaurant-quality dressing.
Sriracha. This adds a hint of heat, elevating the flavor to the next level. I use one teaspoon for a mild spice, but double it if you prefer a spicy kick.

bottles of sesame oil, vinegar, tamari, honey, and spices labeled on a white surface.

How to Make Sesame Ginger Salad Dressing

Step 1:

In an 8-ounce or larger jar, add the olive oil, toasted sesame oil, vinegar, tamari, honey, garlic, ginger, sriracha, and salt. Use a whisk or spoon to stir well.

Or, secure the lid on the jar and shake vigorously until the dressing looks well mixed.

salad dressing ingredients added to a glass jar near a microplane.

Step 2:

Taste the dressing and make any adjustments, if desired. You can add another tablespoon of honey for a sweeter dressing. (In that case, I’d boost the salt a bit more, too.)

Add another teaspoon of sriracha for a spicier dressing. I love adding two teaspoons total, but I’ll keep it milder when serving kids.

Note: Use a piece of lettuce or a cucumber slice to taste-test the dressing, rather than tasting it directly from a spoon. This will give you a better sense of how the dressing will taste when diluted over veggies.

dressing mixed with a spoon near fresh ginger.

Blender Variation

If you prefer a more emulsified dressing, which is slightly creamier, combine the ingredients in a personal-sized blender and blend for about 60 to 90 seconds.

Although the ingredients remain unchanged, this aggressive mixing method will yield a creamier, more evenly mixed salad dressing.

stirred vs blended dressing next to each other to show texture.

How to Serve Sesame Ginger Dressing

This dressing is my favorite over a salad with chopped romaine, red cabbage, shredded carrots, chopped green onion, and fresh cilantro. Add some salted cashews on top for crunch, along with this dressing, and you’ll have a salad your friends will always ask you to bring for a party.

You can also serve this as a dip for spring rolls or a drizzle over lettuce wraps.

salad topped with cashews and ginger dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use tahini in this?

For a slightly creamier dressing, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of tahini to this recipe. (Peanut butter also works!) The tahini will add extra sesame flavor, since it’s just ground sesame seeds!

Can I use dried spices?

Fresh garlic and ginger will give you a much better flavor, so I recommend trying the recipe as written before making changes. But, in a pinch, you can likely use a 1/4 teaspoon each of the ground spices. (Or more to taste.)

Is this recipe vegan?

This recipe is not vegan when you use honey as the sweetener. Swap it for maple syrup or agave nectar, if needed.