This is the healthy version of your Japanese steakhouse favorite! Made with just five simple ingredients, you’re going to love this ginger salad dressing!

Sushi Saturday was a weekly occurrence growing up, a tradition started by my dad when I was around 7 or 8 years old. All five of us would head to our local Japanese restaurant, and like clockwork, we would all order their famous green salads with ginger dressing.
While the restaurant version is delicious, it is typically loaded with a lot of extra sugar, mayo, and other added ingredients that can turn a healthy salad into a major calorie burden. Because of that, I make a lot of my salad dressings at home, like my Dill Ranch Dressing and Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. My Ginger Salad Dressing is not only lighter and fresher, but can be made easily and simply from the comfort of home!
Why You’ll Love This Salad Dressing
- Uses 5 simple ingredients that you likely already have at home.
- You’ll whip it up in under 5 minutes!
- You are in control of the quality of the ingredients, and how much you use! Make it sweeter or less sweet to your preference.
- It’s naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan!
Ingredients
- Rice vinegar: Low in calories, it has a wonderfully light, slightly sweet taste, opposed to traditional white vinegar.
- Soy sauce: Strong umami and salty flavor, it balances out the sweet from the sugar and rice vinegar.
- Ginger root: Freshly grated ginger root has a kick of spicy flavor, often with a tail note of sweetness. If you don’t have fresh ginger, ginger paste works as well.
- Brown sugar: Enhances the natural sweetness of the vinegar and ginger root, while balancing out some of the acidity.
- Sesame oil: I like to use toasted sesame oil as it adds an extra punch to the delicious, nutty flavor.
How to Make Ginger Salad Dressing

Step 1. Start by taking a medium sized bowl and add the rice wine vinegar.

Step 2. Then add the soy sauce.

Step 3. Next add the freshly grated ginger or ginger paste.

Step 4. Followed by the brown sugar.

Step 5. Finish by seasoning with a bit of salt and pepper.

Step 6. Whisk it together until fully combined and the sugar is dissolved.

Drizzle over your favorite veggie topped green salad, and enjoy your ginger salad dressing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Due to the antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory properties of ginger, ginger dressing is very gentle on the stomach and good for your digestion!
Ginger dressing is low in carbs and high in nutrients, especially when made at home where you are in full control of the quality of the ingredients and how much sugar you add.
Kept in the fridge in an airtight container, it should last for up to 5 days.

More Salad Dressing Recipes
- Healthy Blue Cheese Dressing
- Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
- Healthy Ranch Dressing
- Lemon Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette
- Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
Eat It, Like It, Share It!
Did you try this dressing and like it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your salad.
With how quickly this ginger salad dressing comes together, you’ll feel like you’re out at a Japanese restaurant in no time at all.
Your fork is waiting.
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Ginger Salad Dressing?
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Ginger Salad Dressing
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Nakano Natural Rice Vinegar (all natural)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger root
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle over salad greens or use as a vegetable dip.1/4 cup Nakano Natural Rice Vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon grated ginger root, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, salt and pepper to taste
Last Step:
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