Sesame Ginger Dressing

Make creamy sesame dressing fast by adding pantry staples like almond butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, and ginger to the blender for this quick and easy dressing packed with flavor!

I’ve said this before, but sometimes dinner isn’t about all the stuff.

Sometimes it’s all about the sauce…

• Got noodles? Add a Meaty Spaghetti Sauce or Homemade Pesto.
• Having a salad? Add Homemade Italian Dressing or Homemade Greek Dressing.
• Got veggies? Add Thai Peanut Sauce.
• Making Crispy Chicken Wings? You need Buffalo Sauce and Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing!

Yes, sometimes a flavorful sauce makes the meal.

And now you can add this yummy sesame dressing to the list, too!

CREAMY SESAME GINGER DRESSING

Here’s why you should add sesame ginger dressing to your must-make list ASAP:

• Pantry ingredients. There’s a 99% chance that everything you need is already in your pantry.
• Lick-your-fingers good. In a side-by-side taste test of vegetables with sauce and vegetables without this sauce, the SAUCE ITSELF won. Who needs vegetables?!
• Made in a blender. Or you can use a jar if you have strong shaking skills. (Or a whisk and a bowl if you’re old school.) No need to mince garlic or grate ginger first.
• It’s better than store-bought! Skip the Newman’s Own from Whole Foods – this is the best. It tastes better, and you’ll skip the preservatives.
• Allergy-friendly. Peanut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan. BOOM!
• No sugar! Only natural sweeteners in this amazing sauce.

Are you ready to completely transform your dinner? Let’s make sesame ginger salad dressing!

HEALTHY ASIAN SALAD DRESSING INGREDIENTS

You only need 8 basic ingredients for this sesame ginger Asian salad dressing:

• Almond Butter. You can use peanut butter or another nut butter if that’s what you have on hand, but it will change the flavor.
• Soy Sauce. Or substitute coconut aminos or liquid aminos. Use Tamari if you’re gluten-free.
• Lime Juice. I use bottled lime juice. Freshly squeezed lime adds a burst of freshness if you have it!
• Sesame Oil. This adds a savory, nutty flavor and richness to the sesame dressing.
• Maple Syrup. You CAN use honey, but it will definitely change the flavor of the dressing.
• Ginger. Fresh or granulated! (By the way, here’s how to freeze fresh ginger if you have extra.)
• Red Pepper Flakes. Just a bit, for a little kick. (Don’t worry, it doesn’t make it spicy.)
• Salt. Optional, of course, but recommended.

I tried sesame dressing with salt and without, and found that the naturally occurring salt in soy sauce was not enough to flavor this dressing. If you’re sensitive to salt, I recommend leaving out the added salt initially, tasting, and then adding salt as desired.

Psst! Not all salts are made the same! I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!).

HOW TO MAKE SESAME DRESSING WITH GINGER

In less than 5 minutes, you have a delicious Asian salad dressing ready:

Step 1. Add all ingredients, including salt, to a blender or food processor.

Step 2. Process for 30 seconds to one minute, until the sesame dressing is smooth.

Serve as desired. Makes about ¾ cup.

Store leftover ginger and sesame dressing in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. If it gets thick in the fridge, let rest on the counter for about 30 minutes before serving again.

P.S. I love using mason jars for homemade dressing and these lids make it super easy to shake and pour!

SERVE WITH GINGER AND SESAME DRESSING

I like to serve this over Roasted Broccoli or Roasted Potatoes. You can also serve it as…

• A dipping sauce for chicken skewers or pork kabobs
• A dressing for Asian Mason Jar Salads, crunchy Asian slaw, or Chinese chicken salad
• Drizzled over a delicious Egg Roll Bowl or Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables
• Over wontons for a takeout date-night-in
• Stir it into Vegetable Fried Rice
• You could even marinade your chicken or steak!

ADDING FLAVORFUL HEALTHY FATS WITH SESAME DRESSING

Sesame salad dressing is a great source of healthy fats, which you’ll get from the sesame oil and almond butter. Pair healthy fats with lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and plenty of produce for a balanced meal.

This might look like an Asian salad with protein from chicken, carbohydrates from mandarin oranges or cooked quinoa, and plenty of produce in the form of your favorite greens, bell peppers, grated carrots, sliced celery, and fresh cilantro, all dressed with the yummy Asian sesame dressing.

Or it might be a steak or grilled chicken breast with a side of roasted potatoes (for carbs) and roasted broccoli, all drizzled with the yummy ginger and sesame dressing.

However you choose to incorporate sesame dressing into your meals, you’ll have a delicious condiment packed with bold flavor!

Making your own homemade dressings and sauces saves you money on groceries by using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. For even more tips on lowering your grocery bill, check out the FREE Fight Inflation Workshop. These three video sessions focus on saving money on groceries NOW, despite the rising cost of food. Find out more here.

SESAME GINGER SALAD DRESSING FAQS

MORE YUMMY DRESSING RECIPES

Whether you’re enjoying a salad as a side or main meal, these dressings are sure to make your salad spectacular:

• Thai Peanut Sauce
• Cilantro Lime Dressing
• Greek Salad Dressing
• Italian Salad Dressing
• Ranch Salad Dressing