This easy soy and ginger dressing is the kind of simple dressing that instantly transforms salads and slaws. Salty, zingy and gently aromatic, it brings together savoury soy sauce with the fresh bite of ginger and just a little punch of garlic.
Drizzle this easy salad dressing over crunchy greens or crisp cabbage and watch the flavour come alive. It's quick to whip up, ready to go in just 5 minutes.
This recipe is endlessly versatile so feel to swap or add in other ingredients. Fancy a hit of spice add some fresh chilli, looking for a burst of citrus add some lemon zest. This dressing is guaranteed to make even the simplest bowl of salad exciting.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Made with a few simple ingredients and a little seasoning that most of you will have in your stores at home.
- Make ahead and store the dressing in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
- Ready in 5 minutes just place everything in a jar with a lid and shake.
Recipe ingredients
Find the full list of ingredients and quantities in the recipe card below.
- Mustard - I add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to this salad dressing which helps emulsify all the ingredients together.
- Ginger - I use finely grated roof ginger in this salad dressing. If you want a really intense ginger flavour you could also add some finely shredded pickled ginger (sushi ginger).
- Garlic - I also add some crushed garlic, only use a small garlic clove or half a larger clove. Any more and it will overpower all the other flavours in the dressing.
- Oil - use any variety of oil that you enjoy in a salad dressing, extra virgin olive oil, olive oil or sunflower will all work.
- Vinegar - I have used sherry vinegar in this recipe, you could also use rice wine or white wine vinegar.
- Seasoning - I season the dressing with soy sauce, it might look like a lot, but bear in mind you are using this dressing to season the ingredients of your salad.
How to make Soy & Ginger Dressing
- Take a jar with a tight fitting lid and add all the ingredients for the salad dressing.
- Place the lid on the jar and shake until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Pour the salad dressing over your chosen salad, or place the lid on the jar and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
Recipe variations
- Mustard - I've used Dijon mustard but you could also use wholegrain mustard. Don't use English or yellow mustard as it has too strong a flavor which will overpower the other ingredients in the dressing.
- Vinegar - Swap sherry vinegar for rice wine vinegar.
- Shallot - You can also add some finely chopped shallot to the salad dressing.
- Chilli - add some chilli heat to the dressing with some freshly diced red chilli or some chilli flakes (red pepper flakes).
- Citrus - Add a touch of citrus with some finely grated zest of a lemon.
- Fresh herbs - Add some freshly chopped herbs, try parsley or chives.
Serving suggestions
This simple salad dressing can be added to a variety of salads, or slaws. It even elevates the flavour of roasted vegetables. Try it with my Peanut & Ginger Slaw or this Beef Salad with Asian Slaw.
Useful hints and tips
- Always check salad dressing for seasoning before you dress the salad, and adjust with a little more soy sauce of sherry vinegar if required. Remember the dressing might taste a little salty but that's ok as you will be using it to season your salad.
- I recommend using a jam jar when making salad dressing as it makes it really easy to mix the dressing, place the lid on and give it a good shake. The lidded jar also keeps the salad fresh when being stored in the fridge
- For coeliacs and gluten free diners use a gluten free soy sauce.
- Containing no dairy this salad dressing is suitable for dairy free and vegan diners.
- Allergy advice: dairy free, egg free, and nut free. For comprehensive and detailed allergy advice go to Allergy UK.
FAQs
Not only does mustard provide flavour to a dressing, it also acts as an emulsifying agent which helps the oil and acids to properly combine.
Once made, this salad dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. Ensure you shake the jar well before each use to emulsify the ingredients.
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Additional recipe suggestions
Dressings and sauces pack a real punch of flavour to any dish they are added to. Here are some of my favourite recipes:
- Classic French Dressing
- Lemon Balsamic Dressing
- Simple Red Wine Vinaigrette
- Honey Mustard Dressing
- Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Homemade Mayonnaise
- Tarragon Mayonnaise
- Creamy Horseradish Sauce
Equipment
- jam jar or small bowl
- measuring spoons
- fine grater
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon fresh ginger (finely grated)
- 1 small clove garlic (finely grated)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon sherry vinegar
- 2 tablespoon sunflower oil
Instructions
- Take a jar with a tight fitting lid and add all the ingredients for the salad dressing. Place the lid on the jar and shake until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Pour the salad dressing over your chosen salad, or place the lid on the jar and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
Notes
• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •
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