Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette Recipe for Salads and Marinades

Lemon juice brightens this sesame-ginger vinaigrette, a simple, flavorful dressing made from seven ingredients. Shake it in a jar and use it to dress salads, Buddha bowls, or to finish stir-fries.

sesame ginger vinaigrette recipe title card

The dressing is built from straightforward pantry items and fresh aromatics:

sesame ginger dressing formula

If you have most of these ingredients on hand, you’re close to an easy, restaurant-quality flavor profile. The sesame and ginger combine with lemon and soy for a bright, balanced dressing that complements many dishes.

A quick shortcut

If you’d rather not mince or grate ginger and garlic, pulse them in a blender or food processor with the other ingredients until smooth. Or simply add everything to a Mason jar and shake vigorously—an instant dressing and a ready-made storage container.

How to use this sesame-ginger vinaigrette

This vinaigrette pairs beautifully with grain bowls and salads. Replace other Asian-style dressings with this one in recipes that call for soy, miso, or ponzu and you’ll still get a cohesive, bright flavor.

It’s particularly good on roasted or crispy tofu bowls, where the lemon and ginger lift the dish. It also makes a lively dressing for kale and citrus salads—lemon and kumquat are excellent partners with the sesame-ginger profile.

Use it as a lighter alternative to miso-based dressings over chicken, or drizzle it over a citrus salad with crispy quinoa for extra depth and nuttiness.

Tell us in the comments if you enjoyed this sesame-ginger vinaigrette!

sesame ginger vinaigrette recipe title card

Sesame-Ginger Vinaigrette

A lemon-forward Asian-inspired vinaigrette with fresh ginger, sesame, and soy for bright, savory flavor.
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Course Salad
Cuisine Asian

Servings 4
Calories 112 kcal

Ingredients

  

  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Instructions

 

  • Add all ingredients to a Mason jar, secure the lid, and shake vigorously until combined. Store in the refrigerator and use within 2–4 days for best flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 112kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 84mgPotassium: 9mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Keyword homemade salad dressing
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