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    Home » Recipes » Salads » Asian Sesame Salad Dressing

    Asian Sesame Salad Dressing

    by Allison · Modified: Jun 18, 2024 · Published: Mar 27, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This quick and easy Asian salad dressing recipe sparkles over a chopped salad or steamed veggies and rice. The toasted sesame oil combined with fresh ginger and garlic take it over the top. 🙂

    Asian salad dressing in a small Mason jar on a blue and tan checkered napkin.

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    This is one of my favorite dressings to have on hand as often as possible because it really is so great over so many things besides salad. And trust me: if you're craving a salad with Asian dressing, this is the dressing to make.

    It also makes the BEST dressing for chicken, steak, fish or tofu, and takes steamed veggies and greens from great to AMAZING such as this Asian sautéed Swiss chard or this broccolini recipe. I also love using it as a dipping sauce for fresh carrot sticks or sliced bell pepper.

    For other versatile salad dressings and marinade recipes, try this easy Greek salad dressing or this simple apple cider vinegar dressing.

    Did you know?

    Tamari and soy sauce are both examples of fermented foods! They are produced by fermenting soybeans (and additionally wheat in the case of soy sauce) with salt and water. The whole two-step fermentation process can actually take several months to years depending on the specific production method and desired end result. And we can thank the use of yeasts and bacteria to change the properties of the soybeans into their distinct "umami" flavor we all know and love. 🙂

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🌿 Ingredients
    • 📝 Instructions
    • 📋 Substitutions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🔪 Equipment
    • 🍱 Storage
    • 🎉 Top tip
    • 💭 FAQ
    • 🍳 Recipe

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • Takes just 10 minutes to make
    • Uses fresh ginger, garlic and scallions for bold, fresh flavors
    • Great Asian marinade or dipping sauce in addition to a salad dressing
    • Travels well for meal prep lunches
    • Kid-friendly and approved

    🌿 Ingredients

    The ingredients for this sesame dressing can all be easily found at most grocery stores. If you can't find black sesame seeds though, not to worry; they're just an optional garnish. Also, feel free to substitute soy sauce for the tamari if gluten is not a concern.

    Asian salad dressing ingredients on a brown wood table.

    See recipe card below for exact quantities.

    📝 Instructions

    Start by mincing a little ginger and garlic, and thinly slicing the white and light green parts from a couple of scallions.

    Then, place all of the ingredients except the sesame seeds in a pint-sized Mason jar or other container with a lid and shake well to combine.

    Use immediately or store for future use, and additionally garnish your dish with the sesame seeds if desired.

    📋 Substitutions

    This Asian vinaigrette is very forgiving when it comes to ingredients, so feel free to adjust as needed! Here are some basic substitutions you can make:

    • Gluten free - use tamari instead of soy sauce
    • Vegan - use maple syrup or agave syrup instead of honey
    • Olive oil - use avocado oil, sesame oil or canola oil
    • Rice vinegar - use white vinegar
    • Fresh garlic - use garlic powder
    • Fresh ginger - use ginger powder
    • Scallions - substitute chives, cilantro or just leave out altogether

    📖 Variations

    Here are a few dressing variations you can use:

    • Creamy Asian salad dressing - blend the dressing in a blender for a minute or so
    • Sweet Asian salad dressing - increase the amount of honey to taste
    • Spicy Asian salad dressing - add red chili pepper flakes for extra heat and spiciness

    🔪 Equipment

    The only thing you'll need for this recipe besides a cutting board and knife is a jar with a tight fitting lid. I like pint-sized Mason jars but really any jar that holds at least a cup of liquid will work!

    • cutting board
    • chef's knife
    • Mason jar

    🍱 Storage

    This recipe for Asian salad dressing will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

    🎉 Top tip

    This little dressing makes instant meal prep easy! If you have some rice and veggies on hand, along with chicken, tofu or other protein, use this "secret sauce" to drizzle over everything or cook with; dinner will be so delicious. 🙂

    Enjoy!

    💭 FAQ

    What ingredients will I need to make an Asian sesame dressing?

    The basic ingredients necessary for an Asian sesame salad dressing include tamari or soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar and some sugar or honey. Additional ingredients might include olive oil, garlic, ginger, scallions or sesame seeds.

    Is homemade Asian salad dressing gluten free?

    Asian dressing is not gluten free if it contains soy sauce, which is wheat-based. To prepare gluten free, you can substitute tamari for the soy sauce.

    What can I use Asian dressing on?

    Asian salad dressing works well over a simple green salad with or without chopped veggies like cucumbers, red bell pepper and carrots, or as a dipping sauce for raw vegetable sticks, or as a dressing over meat, tofu or steamed vegetables.

    How long will fresh Asian vinaigrette last?

    Asian salad dressing will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week, or in the freezer for up to two months.

    🍳 Recipe

    Asian salad dressing in a small Mason jar.

    Asian Sesame Salad Dressing

    Allison Campbell
    5 from 1 rating
    This easy Asian salad dressing recipe pops with fresh flavor! Featuring ginger, garlic, tamari or soy sauce, honey and toasted sesame oil.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Servings: 12 servings (about ⅔ cup)
    Course: Dressing
    Cuisine: Asian
    Calories: 52
    Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ inch piece fresh ginger
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 2 scallions
    • ¼ cup reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup for vegan, to taste
    • black sesame seeds optional, for garnish

    Equipment

    • cutting board
    • chef's knife
    • Mason jar

    Method
     

    1. Prep: Mince the ginger and garlic and thinly slice the white and light green parts of the scallions.
    2. Mix: Place all of the ingredients except the sesame seeds in a Mason jar or other container with a lid and shake well to combine.
    3. Enjoy: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Additionally garnish with black sesame seeds, if desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 52kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 271mgPotassium: 20mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.2mg

    Notes

    Storage: Dressing will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Mention @onehappydish or tag #onehappydish!

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    Comments

    1. Rodney Zumbach

      March 24, 2023 at 12:46 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Ty Barends

      March 03, 2023 at 7:27 am

      I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Very well written!

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    Headshot of Allison Campbell, food blogger at One Happy Dish.

    Hi, I'm Allison! I create fast, easy recipes that make you feel good—with fresh, seasonal ingredients and the occasional fermented food. Looking at you, kimchi. ;)

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