Zesty, spicy, and savory: this salad dressing has it all!
For a long time, I only used three salad dressings: ranch, Caesar, and balsamic vinaigrette. I knew there was a whole world of dressings out there, but I never thought to use Asian-style ingredients in my dressings at home. Then, I went to a sushi restaurant where they served salads topped with an orange sesame ginger dressing. As soon as I tried it, I knew I had to replicate it at home!
The version I made achieved the perfect balance of flavors while using all healthy ingredients. The orange juice and zest brought bright, citrusy flavors, while the ginger gave the dressing a spicy kick. The sesame oil was toasted and deep-flavored, the soy sauce brought in a salty, savory element, and the honey rounded it all out with sweetness. Honestly, this may very well be the perfect salad dressing for everything from green salads to grain bowls and pasta salad!
Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos?
You’ll notice we give you an option in the recipe below: you can choose soy sauce or coconut aminos for your orange sesame ginger dressing. What’s the difference between the two? Although they have very different ingredient profiles, they both bring a salty, savory flavor to the dish.
Soy sauce is made by fermenting soybeans. It has an umami flavor and is deep-flavored and rich. The major drawback of soy sauce is that most brands use wheat as an ingredient. If you’re following a gluten-free diet (or if you’re allergic to soy), you won’t be able to consume most soy sauce brands.
That’s why many people look to coconut aminos, a product made by fermenting coconut sap. It’s slightly sweeter than soy sauce, but you might be surprised to learn it doesn’t taste anything like coconut! Like soy sauce, it has a savory, umami flavor and a salty presence. You can use the two products interchangeably, so use whichever one you prefer in this orange sesame ginger dressing recipe.
5 from 1 vote
Orange Ginger Sesame Salad Dressing
Add a zing of flavor to any salad with this homemade dressing. Pour it over greens, grains, or even pasta for a delicious touch. It’s also great on chicken, tofu, fish, or as dressing for an Asian-inspired slaw! This dressing tastes best when it’s fresh, but you can always store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
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Give your regular lineup of salad dressings a break with this orange sesame ginger dressing recipe. It’s citrusy, zesty, and a little spicy. This refreshing dressing is perfect for Asian-inspired meals, but it’s balanced and versatile enough that you can use it on almost anything! We like it on greens, grains, or even as a dressing for pasta salad or slaw. The possibilities really are endless!
Have you made this orange sesame ginger dressing recipe? Let us know in the comments section!
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Make the dressing by whisking together the following in a medium bowl or shaking in a mason jar: sesame oil, olive oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, garlic and fresh ginger. If you want a creamier dressing, add in a tablespoon of tahini or cashew butter.
Chang's Home Menu Creamy Ginger Salad Dressing. A taste of ginger and the subtle sweetness of miso combine for a flavorful salad topping that is sure to be a hit.
"Ginger's anti-inflammatory compound has been found to help those with pain from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis," Shayna Taylor, CN, holistic nutritionist says. It can also reduce nausea, diminish digestive discomfort, and remove free radicals or particles in the body that can trigger stress.
The tahini not only adds sesame flavor to the recipe, but it also helps thicken the dressing. You can usually find tahini in the grocery store either near the peanut butter, or near the middle-eastern ingredients in the international aisle.
Tahini is sometimes listed as a substitute for sesame paste, but to me, the two aren't interchangeable. Though tahini is also made from white sesame seeds, those seeds are usually untoasted or lightly toasted. By comparison, toasted sesame paste is more assertive and aromatic and also thicker in texture.
It can cause mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, burping, and general stomach discomfort. Taking higher doses of 5 grams daily increases the risk for side effects. When applied to the skin: Ginger is possibly safe when used short-term.
Gingerol, a natural component of ginger root, benefits gastrointestinal motility ― the rate at which food exits the stomach and continues along the digestive process. Eating ginger encourages efficient digestion, so food doesn't linger as long in the gut.
Anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and antiulcer effects of ginger have been proven in many scientific studies, and some of the ancient applications of ginger as a home remedy has been confirmed in human.
Mayonnaise, vinegar, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Romano cheese, a handful of Italian seasonings, and you're good to go. Want to get that iconic yellow color? Add a pinch of turmeric!
French dressing is made of oil, vinegar, sugar, and other flavorings, with the coloring derived from tomato and often paprika. It exists on a spectrum between Russian and Catalina dressing. French dressing is generally pale orange and creamy, while Catalina French dressing is bright red and less creamy.
This Asian Sesame Dressing is one of my all time most-used salad dressings, because it keeps for weeks and it's so easy to make – just soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, vinegar and sugar. Use this Asian dressing for leafy green salads, Asian slaws, noodle salads and chopped salads.
Introduction: My name is Stevie Stamm, I am a colorful, sparkling, splendid, vast, open, hilarious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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