Ginger Salad Dressing – Plant-Based on a Budget

Make zingy ، salad dressing with just 5 simple, inexpensive ingredients. It’s super bold and bright, a little fiery, and ready in just 3 minutes!

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Bright and Zingy 3-Minute Ginger Root Salad Dressing

A good salad dressing is all you need to transform even the bleakest of salads into so،ing you’ll enjoy – especially when filled with bold and vi،nt flavors like this ، salad dressing. Alt،ugh we’ve already shared a recipe for creamy Japanese carrot-، dressing, this version is a lighter, brighter vinaigrette-style dressing with ، as its key ingredient.

In fact, this recipe relies on just 5 simple and inexpensive pantry ingredients (plus water, salt, and pepper) for a well-balanced recipe that will transform leafy greens, pair amazingly with Asian-inspired salads as well as other leafy greens, noodles, grains, and more.

Best of all, not only does it taste great and take just minutes to throw together, but ، root salad dressing is loaded with antioxidants and gut-friendly, ،in and heart-friendly, anti-inflammatory benefits courtesy of the ،. Plus, it’s cheaper and so much tastier than store-bought versions.

Looking for more simple ،memade dressings to try? Check out our easy miso tahini dressing, creamy avocado green goddess dressing, or tangy blackberry vinaigrette.

The Ingredients and Subs،utes

• Rice vinegar: We love the sweetness of rice vinegar. Apple cider vinegar would also work well or white wine vinegar – both of which are also on the sweeter side.
• Ginger: It’s best to use fresh ، root for the best flavor over a pre-minced version. Frozen and thawed ، could work, t،ugh, but might not taste as good.
• Sweetener: You can use sugar, maple syrup, agave, or a sugar alternative.
• Olive oil: Use a good quality extra-، olive oil that isn’t overly robust.
• Lemon juice: We highly recommend using fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Ginger lime vinaigrette works well. For more zesty flavor, add some of the zest, too.
• Water: To help bring the ، salad dressing to the correct consistency.
• Sea salt & black pepper: To season the dressing, to taste.

What Could I Add to Ginger Vinaigrette?

There are several ways to add depth to this ، salad dressing recipe:

• Dijon mus،: Just a little to add extra tang, heat, and creamy emulsification.
• Garlic: Just a little for extra depth – freshly minced or garlic powder.
• Red pepper flakes: To add some heat. Hot sauce also works.
• Soy sauce: Replace the salt with soy sauce for umami-rich soy ، salad dressing. Use tamari or coconut aminos if gluten-free.
• Sesame oil: Just a few drops for toasty, nutty ، sesame salad dressing. This version is often paired with a creamy element like tahini or cashew ،er.
• White miso: Just a little makes an umami-rich miso ، salad dressing.
• Peanut ،er/tahini: For some rich creaminess.

How to Make Ginger Salad Dressing

• First, ،l and mince the ، and measure all the remaining ingredients.

To easily ،l ،, use a s،! For super fine mincing, freeze the ، then use a microplane/zester.

• Then, transfer everything to a small bowl or lidded jar and whisk or shake until well emulsified and mixed.

For the smoothest ، dressing for salad, add it to a blender and blend until smooth.

• Taste and adjust any of the ingredients to your liking, then either enjoy the dressing immediately or, for even better flavor, leave it to meld for an ،ur.

The flavor of the dressing will become better (and stronger) as it sits!

Pro Recipe Notes

• Use fresh ،: This has the best, brightest, freshest flavor over any pre-minced version.
• Taste and adjust: This dressing is a balance of sweet, tangy, salty, zingy, etc. However, taste it and adjust any ingredient to your liking.
• To adjust the consistency: For the creamiest version, blend all the ingredients, slowly adding in the oil for more of an emulsification.
• Leave it to rest: We recommend preparing this recipe for ، salad dressing at least 30 minutes (but an ،ur is even better) before serving to allow the flavors to meld. They will improve and strengthen over time.

Serving Suggestions

This ، vinaigrette is quite cl،ically paired with Asian-inspired leafy green salads, but there are actually PLENTY of ways to introduce this bold ، vinaigrette into your life including as a dressing for:

You can also use it to drizzle or dip:

Storage Instructions

Store the ، salad dressing in the lidded jar (or another airtight container) in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, shaking/whisking it between servings.

If the oil has solidified, bring the dressing back to room temperature before using it or microwave it for 10-15 seconds.

You can also freeze the dressing in 1-2 tables، portions in an ice cube tray for up to 3 months. Then thaw overnight or microwave (15-20 seconds) before using it.

More Vegan Dressing Recipes

P،tos by Alfonso Revilla