This versatile Asian Salad Dressing recipe comes together in 5 minutes and is absolutely delicious on leafy green salads, steamed veggies, drizzled over beef, pork, chicken, seafood and noodles, or mixed in cabbage and carrots for a fabulous Asian coleslaw!
Whenever we eat out at a Japanese restaurant one of the things I look most forward to is the starter salad – the one that comes drizzled with that fabulous Japanese sesame dressing. There’s one restaurant in particular that makes our favorite Asian salad dressing. My husband likewise enjoys it and for years would comment that I should recreate that dressing at home. It’s taken me several years to finally get around to it, but here it is!
This dressing goes by several names including Asian salad dressing, sesame dressing, sesame ginger dressing, Asian sesame dressing, Japanese sesame dressing, and sometimes goma dressing (goma means “sesame” in Japanese is also where we get the popular sesame seasoning called gomasio). But whichever way you call it, if you’ve had that toasted sesame-flavored dressing before you know what I’m talking about – it’s delicious! The flavor is a combination of sweet, tangy, earthy, creamy, nutty, and bursting with umami.
As with most everything, homemade is best. Not only because it tastes much better twith its fresher, more vibrant ingredients, but because it’s free of any junk ingredients and preservatives that come standard in store-bought dressings. Plus with only 5 minutes to make it, there’s no just good reason to ever buy store-bought again!
How to Use Asian Salad Dressing
This sesame ginger dressing is very versatile for any number of things you’d like to jazz up with that incredible toasted sesame flavor.
Drizzle it over leafy green salads (it’s really delicious on spicy Asian greens where the earthy flavor sesame seeds is especially complementary), sliced cucumbers, blanched asparagus, beef, pork, chicken, seafood, fresh tuna and salmon, rice or steamed vegetables. Stir it in cold noodles or with shredded cabbage and carrots to make a fabulous Asian coleslaw. Or use it as a dipping sauce for shrimp, fried tofu, wontons, gyoza, or potstickers.
However you use it, a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds and some sliced green onions will make for a nice presentation.
Asian Salad Dressing Recipe
Let’s get started!
Simply place all of the ingredients in jar with a lid and shake until smooth and emulsified.
Store in the fridge where it will keep for up to 10 days.
This recipe makes about 1 cup of dressing.
Enjoy!
For more delicious homemade salad dressings be sure to try our:
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Ranch Dressing
- Italian Dressing
- Thousand Island Dressing
- Russian Dressing
- Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing
- Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
- Asian Salad Dressing
- Creamy Cilantro Dressing
- Lemon Dill Mustard Dressing
- French Dressing
Asian Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2-3 tablespoons tamari (adjust amount to taste preference; can substitute light soy sauce )
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- OR 2 tbs brown sugar alternative (for low sugar dressing)
- 1 teaspoon very finely grated fresh ginger root
- 2 teaspoons mirin (Japanese rice wine) , optional
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds , optional if you want seeds/texture in your dressing
Instructions
- Place everything in jar with a lid and shake until smooth and emulsified. Store in the fridge where it will keep for up to 10 days. Makes about 1 cup of dressing.
Cheryl Casanova says
Just regular olive oil ? Or virgin, or extra virgin?
Kimberly Killebrew says
Hi Cheryl, I always have extra virgin on hand but you can use any of them.
Betsy says
This is our favorite Asian Dressing! So easy & delicious.
I didn’t have mirin & I added an equal amount of fresh garlic with the ginger. The small amount of mayo really adds so much to this dressing.
Next time I will have mirin on hand :)
Thanks so much, Kimberly!
Kimberly Killebrew says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Betsy, thank you!
Sandy says
This was a great dressing. The only thing I did was used Coconut Aminos in lieu of Tamari/Soy Sauce and added 1 Tsp of Light Miso otherwise used everything as written including adding Mirin & Toasted Sesame Seeds…So Yummy!
Kimberly Killebrew says
Thanks for the feedback, Sandy, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Deena Self says
I agree about the ads. Really makes it difficult to get your wonderful recipes. There must be a way to show ads without interference. Thank you
Pam says
I had stopped at the local asian supermarket because i needed a couple of ingredients to complete this salad dressing and OMG this is the best the flavor is top notch Anyone who wants to try this please do you will not be disappointed it is fabulous
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you so much, Pam, I’m happy you enjoyed it! <3
Sassafras says
Is there any way to talk you out of those annoying ads that pop up and block the recipes? I know you get paid for them, but shoving them in our faces when we’re trying to read a recipe is rude.
I know alot of recipe sites have started using these popups. You’re not the only one. I am unsubscribing from all that do.
I will miss you.
Valentina says
I love trying different salad dressings! I can’t wait to try this delicious Asian salad dressing!!!
wilhelmina says
This dressing is incredible! It made a plain grilled chicken into a super yummy lunch, delicious!
Betsy says
This dressing is fabulous! I always struggle with the salad “course” when serving Asian food. All the dressings I know are more “American” and “Italian” I love having this awesome option. So delicious!