Sesame Ginger Dressing

This bright, flavorful dressing blends warm ginger with a hint of toasted sesame for a simple sauce that instantly elevates salads, chicken bowls, and even coleslaw. It pours smoothly, tastes fresh, and works beautifully with greens, noodles, or veggie-packed meals. You'll get easy steps to make it at home whenever you want something healthy and full of flavor. Pin this now so you can grab it anytime you need a quick Asian-style dressing.

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Why is this the best sesame ginger dressing recipe

This sesame ginger dressing is full of flavor! Ingredients like sriracha, toasted sesame seeds, freshly grated ginger, and salty soy sauce pack a full flavor punch in a single serving.

This is truly a simple dressing recipe. A few simple ingredients pour in a jar, and then you mix! It tastes like you spent hours on it - but it's a 5 minute recipe. (Maybe 3 minutes even!)

Fresh ingredients mixed together are culinary magic. The contrast in textures and flavors is irresistible.

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It's a crowd-pleaser. Whether at a casual family dinner or a holiday gathering, everyone will enjoy this savory dressing on dishes like cabbage salads, chicken and tofu, vegetables like carrots, or as a dip for egg rolls or spring rolls.

This recipe makes a perfect salad dressing. The layers of ingredients, added one by one, finished with toasted sesame seeds, make this dressing really memorable.

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What you'll need to make ginger sesame dressing

Equipment

• Microplane grater - I don't know of any way to create a ginger paste from fresh ginger, other than a microplane grater.
• Garlic press - A garlic press is the best and easiest way to create a very fine garlic paste that melts into this dressing. If you don't have one, you can smash the clove with the flat side of a chef's knife, then peel away the papery skin and mince very fine with the sharp edge of the knife.

Ingredients

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See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.

• olive oil - Olive oil is the base of the salad dressing. If you prefer not to have the olivey flavor, you can use avocado oil or another neutral oil.
• sesame oil - Sesame oil is the most potent ingredient on the list. A little goes a long way.
• rice vinegar - Oil and vinegar make most salad dressings, right? So you need a tart vinegar. I like the seasoned or garlic-flavored rice vinegars, but you can use unseasoned if that's what you have.
• sugar - There is just a pinch of sugar in this recipe, and you need it to balance out the other flavors. You can experiment with an alternative sweetener, but I always use plain white sugar or honey.
• low sodium soy sauce - I prefer the flavor of low sodium soy sauce to the regular, so I have used it here. If you prefer regular soy sauce, feel free to use that instead.
• fresh ginger - You will need to peel and freshly grate your fresh ginger. A piece that's 1.5-2-inches long will be more than enough.
• garlic - I always go for the largest cloves, if possible, and if I'm using smaller cloves from the inside of the bulb, I will often use an extra one or two.
• salt - Just a pinch, to enhance the other flavors. If you are careful about salt, you can leave it out, taste the dressing, and add only as much as you need to get the flavors right.
• sriracha - You're just using a little sriracha, not enough to make the dressing spicy but enough to give it a richer flavor.
• sesame seeds - If you can find toasted sesame seeds, scoop them up! If not, plain will be fine. You can toast your own in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes (stir occasionally), but I usually don't.

How to make Asian salad dressing

1. Combine all ingredients in a small jar with an airtight lid. Mix well with a whisk and store in the fridge. This easy salad dressing tastes better the second day.
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Substitutions & variations

If you are gluten-free, look for a gluten-free soy sauce (They are available in most grocery stores, but may not be labeled as "gluten-free." You'll have to know your ingredients and check the label.) or swap the soy sauce with tahini or coconut aminos.

Replace the sugar with pure maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar for a slightly different flavor.

Replace all or part of the vinegar with fresh lime juice.

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For a thicker, creamier texture, you can add 2-3 tablespoons of mayo or Greek yogurt.

Adding crushed peanuts (or 2-3 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter) can add extra crunch and a bit of creaminess.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of orange juice for a bright, sweet twist.

You can use this dressing as a marinade for chicken or shrimp. Make sure to follow good food safety practices.

Storing leftovers

Transfer the dressing to an airtight jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake well before each use; the ingredients naturally separate as they sit.

Not recommended for freezing. Freezing will dull the flavor and change the texture.

Check out more delicious dressing and sauce recipes

• Avocado Lime Salad Dressing
• Homemade Ranch Dressing
• Keto Salad Dressing - Creamy Lemon Dressing
• Creamy Cilantro Lime Ranch Salad Dressing
• Sweet Teriyaki Sauce
• Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce
• Dumpling Dipping Sauce
• Lemon Syrup for Pancakes and Desserts

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