Carrot ginger dressing is one of my favorite salad toppers. I’ve fallen in love with its vibrant orange color and the balanced taste. Its sweet and tangy profile from fresh carrots and ginger creates a refreshing condiment.
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Carrot Ginger Salad Dressing Recipe
Carrot Ginger Dressing is a popular salad dressing inspired by Japanese cooking. It’s known for its vibrant, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor profile with a refreshing texture.
This bright orange, creamy dressing is packed with vitamins and antioxidants. It is plant-based, vegan, dairy-free, grain-free, and easy to make.
It’s commonly used on Japanese-style side salads with lettuce, carrots, and cucumbers. It also works well as a dip for fresh or roasted vegetables, like carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, or even roasted and steamed vegetables
For creative pairings, try drizzling it over grain bowls, Buddha bowls, macro bowls, or noodle salads with soba or udon. It adds zing to tofu salads, and grilled meats or seafood like fish and shrimp. You can also use it as a spread in sandwiches, wraps, or banh mi for a tangy kick.
Here is how to make the carrot ginger dressing:
Carrot ginger dressing
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1 large carrot peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger peeled and chopped
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil like grapeseed or canola
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2-3 tablespoons water to adjust consistency
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients (except water) to a blender or food processor.
- Blend until smooth. If the dressing is too thick, gradually add water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more soy sauce or lemon juice to balance flavors.
- Serve over salads, as a dip, or as a dressing for grain bowls.
SIMILAR RECIPES:
This homemade salad dressing can last for 5 – 7 days when kept in the fridge. If you want to keep it longer (about 3 months), freeze it:
- Freezer bags: Great for space-saving storage
- Ice cube trays: Perfect for individual portions
- Small freezer-safe containers: Ideal for larger quantities
Variations
Carrot ginger dressing has many versions. Here are some suggestions you can make at home:
- Creamy Carrot Ginger Dressing uses yogurt or tahini. Greek yogurt transforms the dressing into a luscious, tangy delight. It adds probiotics and increases the protein content. Alternatively, tahini introduces a rich, nutty flavor and creates a silky texture.
- Vegan Creamy Options use silken tofu or cashew cream instead of dairy products. These alternatives maintain the creamy consistency while adhering to vegan dietary restrictions.
- Spicy Carrot Ginger Dressing incorporates cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a fiery kick that complements the sweetness of the carrots. Different cuisines inspire unique spicy variations:
- Mexican twist mixes in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- Thai-inspired version adds sriracha and lime juice
- Indian-fusion dressing incorporates curry powder and turmeric
- Asian-Inspired Versions
- Chinese version mixes in hoisin sauce and five-spice powder
- Japanese version adds miso paste and mirin
- Korean dressing incorporates gochujang and sesame seeds
- Mediterranean Twists
- Moroccan style mixes in harissa and preserved lemon
- Greek version adds feta cheese and oregano
- Italian version includes sun-dried tomatoes and basil