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This Japanese carrot-ginger dressing is vibrant, versatile, and delicious. Just blend a few ingredients in your blender for a fresh, zesty dressing you can drizzle over any salad. It’s easy to make, and it’s ready in under 5 minutes!

Carrot Ginger Dressing poured over a green salad — I love making homemade salad dressing as it’s infinitely better than anything you can buy in the grocery store.

This carrot ginger dressing is my take on that irresistible bright orange dressing you get at Japanese restaurants — the one that somehow makes even a simple salad exciting. It’s sweet, tangy, creamy, and packed with bold ginger flavor, with that signature vibrant color that’s instantly recognizable.

I drizzle it over salads, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, and just about anything that needs a little lift. The carrots add subtle sweetness and create the beautiful orange hue, while fresh ginger brings brightness and warmth. Soy sauce, rice vinegar, onion, and sesame oil layer in a savory, tangy flavor that makes the dressing taste surprisingly complex for something made with such simple ingredients.

What I love most is how easy it is to make with pantry and fridge staples. A quick blitz in the blender and you’ve got a vibrant Japanese-style salad dressing that completely wakes up whatever you pour it over.

Is this Japanese salad dressing authentic?

I never had this exact dressing while traveling in Japan, but I did enjoy dressings with a similar sweet, tangy, savory flavor profile in restaurants there. This bright orange carrot ginger version is especially popular in Japanese-American restaurants, where it’s often served over crisp iceberg lettuce with carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Making Carrot Ginger Dressing in a blender

How to use this carrot ginger dressing

This Japanese carrot ginger salad dressing tastes delicious on all sorts of side salads, from simple crunchy greens to Asian-style salads. It’s really versatile so you can also use it as a sauce for salmon, drizzle it over a grain bowl, spread it on a sandwich or wrap, or use it as a dip for fresh spring rolls.

If you’re looking for another Japanese dip to serve beside it, try our ponzu sauce recipe!

Carrot Ginger Salad Dressing (Japanese Restaurant-Style!)

Prep: 10

Cook: 0

Total: 10

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This Japanese carrot ginger dressing is vibrant, versatile, and downright delicious. Just whiz a few ingredients together in your blender for a fresh and zesty dressing you can drizzle on any salad. It's easy to make and it's ready in under 5 minutes!

Ingredients

▢ ½ lb carrots (3 medium, coarsely chopped)
▢ ½ cup avocado oil
▢ ¼ cup peeled (chopped fresh ginger)
▢ ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar
▢ 2 tablespoons chopped onion
▢ 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten-free, if needed)
▢ 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Instructions

Place all the ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth.
½ lb carrots, ½ cup avocado oil, ¼ cup peeled, ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons chopped onion, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Add more oil or water if you like a thinner salad dressing.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 tablespoons, Calories: 76kcal (4%), Carbohydrates: 2g (1%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 8g (12%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 78mg (3%), Potassium: 57mg (2%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 2372IU (47%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 7mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.