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.
Orange Ginger Sesame Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 large navel oranges zested and juiced (about 2 tablespoons zest and 1/4 cup juice)
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger peeled and finely grated
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
- Alternatively, you can place all ingredients in a mason jar, add a lid, and shake vigorously to combine.
- Store unused dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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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!
Enjoyed this post? Discover more:
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- Spicy Sesame Cucumber Salad
- Easy 6-Ingredient Sesame Chicken
- Sweet Morning Breakfast Quinoa
Salad is good for you, but the dressing is what makes it taste delicious! Get more tasty, healthy recipes like this one by subscribing to our newsletter. Or, follow us on Instagram and Pinterest to browse our collection in your newsfeed.
This dressing is outstanding! Served as salad dressing and also on roasted veggies! I’m going to try it with lime juice! Oh, I did add some garlic, cause everything is better with garlic!
Cyndi, I agree about garlic. :). Please leave a review when you get a minute.
This dressing is outstanding! Served as salad dressing and on roasted veggies..I’m going to try this with lime juice! Oh, I did add garlic, cause everything is better with garlic!
We agree, Cyndi. Garlic makes EVERYTHING better.😀 We’re so glad you love the dressing and appreciate the feedback.