Why I love this Japanese salad dressing
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and we have no plans. Marc has an away game so we will have a romantic pre-game meal of chicken parmesan with spaghetti. Then he’ll be gone for most of the day/night. So I’ll probably make my favorite one-person meal – Thai green chicken curry with vegetables and rice and a nice big salad with this hibachi-style ginger dressing. Then I’ll watch my favorite girly shows all by myself. It’s going to be great.
I’ve been in love with the ginger dressing they serve at Japanese steakhouses all over the U.S., but I’ve never been able to replicate the taste and texture together. I’ve tried and tried and tried to figure it out, and I finally came up with the simple ginger dressing I posted a while back. It had the right flavor, but it was missing the texture. Thankfully, my sister found a recipe that was (almost) perfect. With a few minor adjustments, I had finally figured out the perfect hibachi ginger dressing.
Try it for yourself and see what you think. Doesn’t it taste just like the stuff you get at your favorite Japanese steakhouse?
More salad dressing recipes: dairy free ranch dressing / thousand island dressing / caesar vinaigrette
Ingredient notes:
- I normally buy pre-grated ginger, but if you’re using fresh, I recommend using the small side of a box grater to grate it rather than a microplane. I find that the fibers just get stuck on the microplane.
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
How to make ginger salad dressing
Prep your ingredients. Since this dressing is blended, it’s tempting to just throw everything into the blender, but I find that cutting the celery and grating the ginger really helps get the dressing nice and smooth – or as smooth as it’s going to get.
Blend the dressing in a food processor or blender until it’s mostly smooth. Transfer it to a mason jar or other container and refrigerate until you’re ready to use it.
Frequently asked questions
This salad dressing is gluten free, but you should always make sure to double check any of the ingredients in your packaged items to help avoid any possible cross contamination.
If you leave it stored inside of an airtight container in your fridge you can expect your homemade ginger dressing to last up to a week and still be good.
Ginger dressing is one of those weirdly textured dressings that you get used to the more you try it. It’s chunky and creamy at the same time, but when you eat it with your crunchy salad, it all works together to create a symphony of flavors and textures you can enjoy.
More dairy free salad recipes
Japanese Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped onions
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
- 2 ribs celery, roughly chopped
- 2/ tablespoons soy sauce, or tamari for gluten free
- 3 teaspoons tomato paste
- 3 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Place all ingredients – except the water – in a food processor or blender.
- Process until mostly smooth.
- Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until you have reached the desired consistency.
- Refrigerate dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I always wanted to know how to duplicate a Japanese Steakhouse ginger dressing…now I know! Turned out perfect…it is now cooling in the refrigerator. I will later enjoy a lettuce, carrot, cucumber salad (with ginger dressing). Perfect pairing for grilled teriyaki salmon…can’t wait for dinner!
Made it tonight and it’s a hit! Thank you for sharing.
Prepared this recipe exactly as written, and it was fantastic! Very good replica of Japanese restaurant recipe, and just delicious. Hubby was surprised and impressed.
So excited to try this but not a huge fan of celery. Any suggestions on a substitution? Cucumber maybe? Thanks!
I think the celery really makes a difference in the flavor, I would probably leave it out before I swapped in cucumber, but it’s totally up to you!
OMG! I have been searching for the ginger dressing that you get at the hibachi restaurants. I legit did a happy dance in my kitchen when I tasted your recipe. I can’t believe it. So easy and inexpensive, too!!! THANK YOU!!! P.S. I made the recipe exactly as written and it’s perfect!!! Tastes exactly like the restaurant!
It’s perfect!!!
I never leave comments and I am an online recipe mooch. But this is SO worth 5 stars and a high five to you. Nailed that Japanese restaurant ginger dressing! Chef’s kiss!
This is a good dressing but I think that different hibachi places have different recipes and so while this dressing is good it wasn’t what I was looking for I think the dressing I’m looking for is a carrot ginger dressing
Literally spot on. I typically make adjustments to recipes beforehand since I know my taste, but this time I followed it as listed and I do not regret it one bit. It tastes/looks exactly how it is at the restaurants. Ginger dressing is my favorite, so I actually buy the packaged version from the store. I prefer that version because it’s not as sweet and it’s more savory. I didn’t realize I was out and made this version instead; it was still very good and tasted authentic. To add more dimension, I will include garlic, but again, this is spot on in comparison to the restaurant version.
I love this! Is my favorite dressing salad!! I can’t wait to try it!! In Monterrey, Mexico, I only find Red and white onion, and chives.
Sweet onion (yellow) I hardly ever find. Is it ok if I use red onion instead?